UK Skilled Worker Visa in 2024 | An Essential Application Guide
The UK Skilled Worker Visa is a key immigration route for individuals aiming to start their professional careers within the United Kingdom. This visa was designed and tailored for skilled overseas workers who have secured a job offer from a UK employer, this visa category allows for talented professionals to contribute to the UK’s diverse workforce.
Starting April 4, 2024, there will be an increase in the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visa applications, set at either £38,700 or the going rate for the respective role category. The designated roles will align with the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2020, replacing the previous SOC 2010 framework.
What is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker Visa previously known as the Tier 2 (General) visa, is designed for skilled overseas workers with a job offer from a company based in the UK. This visa category aims to emphasise the UK’s commitment to attracting skilled overseas talent, offering a clear path to settlement in the UK (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after a qualifying period, usually a minimum of 5 years.
Key features of the Skilled Worker Visa include
- Validity up to 5 years, extendable under specific conditions.
- Eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years, providing permanent settlement in the UK for the visa holder.
How to Determine If Your Job Qualifies for a Skilled Worker Visa
To find out if your job qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa, follow these steps:
- Identify Your Job’s Occupation Code
- Find Your Occupation Code
- Verify Eligibility of the Occupation Code
By following these steps, you can effectively determine if your job qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa.
Key Points Table
Aspect
Detail
Visa Category Skilled Worker Visa Purpose Work in the UK under a sponsored job offer Validity Up to 5 years, with a potential route to settlement Eligibility Points-based system (70 points required) Upcoming Changes Increase in minimum salary requirement from April 11th 2024
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Eligibility Requirements
The journey to securing a Skilled Worker Visa hinges on a points-based system, a meticulous framework designed to assess the eligibility of prospective applicants. Achieving a total of 70 points is mandatory, with points allocated across various categories, reflecting the applicant’s skills, job offer, and potential contribution to the UK workforce.
The Points-Based System Explained
To break down the points-based system, it’s essential to understand how points are awarded. The system is divided into two primary categories: mandatory and tradeable points.
- Mandatory Points (20 points): These points are non-negotiable and must be secured through having a sponsorship and a job offer from a UK employer.
- Tradeable Points (50 points): Applicants can earn these points through a combination of factors, including the skill level of their job, salary, qualifications, and whether the job is on the shortage occupation list.
Here’s What The Points Breakdown for a Skilled Worker Visa Looks Like
Skilled Worker Requirement
Points
Category
Details
A genuine job offer from a licensed sponsor 20 Mandatory Confirmation of job offer by a UK employer with a valid Sponsor Licence. Speak English to the required standard 10 Mandatory Proficiency in English at B1 level on the CEFR scale for speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Job offer is at a skill level of RQF3 or above 20 Mandatory The job must be at the appropriate skill level, equivalent to A-levels or higher. Salary of at least £20,960 or 80% of the going rate 0 Tradeable For applicants with job offers paying less than typical, but no less than £20,960 or 80% of the profession’s going rate. Salary of at least £23,580 or 90% of the going rate 10 Tradeable Applies when the salary is at least £23,580 or 90% of the going rate for the profession, whichever is higher. Salary of £26,200 or above or the going rate for the profession 20 Tradeable When the salary meets or exceeds £26,200 or the profession’s going rate, whichever is higher. Job in a shortage occupation as designated 20 Tradeable If the job is in a profession listed on the Migration Advisory Committee’s shortage occupation list. Education qualification: PhD in a subject relevant to the job 10 Tradeable For applicants with a PhD in a field relevant to the job they are being sponsored for. Education qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job 20 Tradeable For applicants with a PhD in a STEM field relevant to the job, offering additional points for high-demand areas.
Upcoming Changes to Salary Requirements
From April 11th 2024, the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker Visa applications will increase significantly to £38,700. The UK Government will fully implement their new immigration rules on this date and claim this change aims to align the salary requirements with the evolving economic landscape and the value of skilled work in the UK.
Please Note*: Health and care workers, alongside roles such as teachers with national pay scales, will be exempt from this increased threshold
How is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa determined?
Determining the Minimum Salary for a Skilled Worker Visa
When applying for a Skilled Worker visa, understanding the salary requirements is crucial. Your minimum salary depends on two key factors, ensuring you meet the highest standard required by your specific job type:
- Base Salary Requirements: Generally, you must earn a minimum of £38,700 annually. This figure represents a baseline for most skilled work roles.
- Occupation-Specific ‘Going Rate’: Each job has a designated ‘going rate’ based on its specific occupation code. You’ll need to compare this rate with the £38,700 baseline and adhere to whichever amount is higher.
Special Considerations
If you’re extending your Skilled Worker visa or switching jobs with a new employer, the salary benchmark may vary. Be sure to assess the requirements specific to your situation.
Additionally, if your role lies outside the healthcare or education sectors and your earnings fall short of the primary salary thresholds, you may still qualify if your salary is at least £30,960 annually. It’s essential to consult the official rates table for your particular role to ensure compliance.
By understanding these requirements, you can navigate the Skilled Worker visa application more effectively, aligning your career aspirations with immigration rules.
Other Key Requirements Applicants Need To Consider
English Language Requirement
A fundamental and key requirement for the Skilled Worker Visa applicants, is proving that they can speak in the English language. This is not just about enhancing communication within the workplace but also about integrating into UK society.
- Minimum Level: Applicants must demonstrate the ability to communicate in the English language at a minimum of level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale, covering reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
- Exemptions: Certain nationals and individuals who have completed a degree taught in English may be exempt from this requirement.
Financial Maintenance Requirement
To ensure that incoming skilled workers can support themselves upon arrival in the UK, there’s a financial requirement that must be met:
- Savings Requirement: Applicants need to have at least £1,270 in their bank account for 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before the date of their visa application.
- Sponsor Certification: In some cases, the sponsoring employer can certify maintenance to meet this requirement on behalf of the applicant.
Health and Care Worker Visa
The Health and Care Worker Visa is a separate skilled worker visa that is designed to support the recruitment of overseas healthcare professionals, offering a much more streamlined application process and reduced costs, acknowledging individuals in this profession’s vital contributions to public health and well-being in the UK.
Key Benefits A Health &Care Worker Visa Offers
- Lower Application Fees: To make the visa more accessible, healthcare professionals see reduced application fees, some what easing the financial aspect of relocating to the UK.
- Immigration Health Surcharge Exemption: Applicants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge, highlighting the UK’s commitment to supporting those who contribute to its health and care sectors.
Eligibility and Application
- Specific Roles: This visa route is available to a range of healthcare professionals, including but not limited to, doctors, nurses, and professionals in adult social care. The eligibility extends to roles critical to the health sector, as defined by the UK government.
- Sponsorship: Similar to the Skilled Worker Visa, applicants need a job offer from an NHS trust, health care organisation, or an eligible social care organisation, along with a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Highlighting Key Aspects
- English Language Requirement: It is essential for both a success skilled worker application and a smooth societal integration into the UK.
- Financial Stability: Demonstrated financial independence is necessary to ensure newcomers can sustain themselves initially.
- Special Consideration for Healthcare Workers: Acknowledging the vital contributions of healthcare professionals to the UK.
What Is The Skilled Worker Application Process?
The application for a Skilled Worker Visa is structured to ensure applicants meet all necessary criteria and provide clear and concise documentation to support their eligibility for the visa.
Application Steps
- Job Offer and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Applicants must first secure a job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid Sponsor Licence. The employer will provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, which is essential for the visa application.
- Online Application: Individuals then submit the visa application online. This should be done up to 3 months before your intended start date in the UK, as noted on your CoS.
- Document Submission: They will need to compile and submit all required supporting documents. Some applicants will also need to attend an appointment at a visa application centre.
- Biometric Information: Applicants will need to provide their fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a visa application centre of their choice.
- Healthcare Surcharge and Visa Fees: Pay the healthcare surcharge and the visa application fee as part of your application.
What should you do if you already have a job offer from an approved employer?
What Steps to Take When You Have a Job Offer from an Approved Employer
If you’ve secured a job offer from an approved employer, also known as your sponsor, there are key steps you need to follow to move forward with your visa application. Here’s how to navigate this process:
- Ensure Eligibility
Your sponsor will verify that you meet the necessary qualifications for the position. This step is crucial as it determines your eligibility to work in the position offered to you. - Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Once your eligibility is confirmed, your sponsor will issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship. Note that this isn’t a paper document but an electronic record. This certificate includes a unique reference number, which is essential for your visa application. - Timely Visa Application
With your CoS reference number in hand, proceed to apply for your visa. It’s important to start your application within three months from the date your Certificate of Sponsorship was issued. Delaying this can jeopardize your ability to attain the necessary visa on time.
By following these steps promptly, you’ll be well on your way to securing the necessary permissions to start your new job.
Conclusion
The UK Skilled Worker Visa represents a key immigration route for skilled professionals worldwide aiming to engage in meaningful employment within the United Kingdom. With its points-based system it scrutinises applicants application based on their skills, job offers, salary levels, and qualifications, ensuring that those who contribute significantly to the UK’s workforce are welcomed.
How Can Primus Solicitors Help?
At Primus Solicitors, our immigration lawyers specialise in guiding and advising both sponsors and applicants through the intricate and complex Home Office visa application process. Our expertise in UK immigration law ensures that applicants and employers are well equipped to meet the requirements of the Skilled Worker Visa and avoiding common application mistakes and subsequently time delays.
For specialist immigration advice, don’t hesitate to contact our expert solicitors for a no obligation consultation today!
