Skilled Worker Visa UK | Total 70 Points needed to apply
The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system which will come into force from the 01st of January 2021. The new system will treat both EU and non-EU citizens on an equal basis and transform the way in which all migrants come to the UK to work. Anyone coming to the UK to work, excluding Irish citizens, will need to apply for Skilled Worker Visa UK permission in advance.
How to Get Skilled Worker Visa UK?
It is very easy to migrate to the UK as a skilled worker. The applicant must possess the relevant qualification and experience for getting a skilled worker visa UK and it's never hard for them to get residence and jobs in any country within a short duration. It specifies that the applicant should have definite qualifications and work experience under their belt, so they can use those skills and services in order to contribute towards society through working with respective employers. There are various guidelines given by the United Kingdom government for a skilled worker visa UK, which makes the application process simple without considering of age or nationality of workers.
The main condition that every eligible applicant needs to fulfill is obtaining of nomination certificate from National Health Service (NHS) Job centers. For this, an entrepreneur must be registered with Companies House. If the entrepreneur is not so, then he has to open a company first from Companies House. Once your company is registered or you have been operating as an individual trader, it's time for you to apply for a nomination certificate from Job centers via email. The second condition that should be fulfilled by entrepreneurs is applying with Tier III of points allocation scheme of Low Skilled Workers who are already working in the UK and possess a valid work visa under this category.
If you fall into one or more categories then congratulations! You have completed all the necessary processes and now you only need to pay the £200 application fee at the Government website. It will take approximately 20 days for Visa Section at Home Office to process your application. Be ready as it might take a longer time than you think. Time taken will depend on the number of applicants and their priority.
After receiving a visa from Home Office, the entrepreneur has to contact a student agent in the UK, who can find a suitable University or other educational institution for him/her that offers a skilled work visa. The student agent must be registered with Home Office as an Educational Consultant. It means he should have been operating as a licensed immigrant support service provider for at least two years before applying as an educational consultant. In order to apply as an educational consultant, first, you need to meet those criteria and then submit your application along with supporting documents such as details of yourself and your business, license fee, etc. So, it is advised to use this one step ahead.
Skilled Worker Visa UK Application
The applicants have to score points if they intend to come and work in the UK under the new points-based immigration system and must meet a specific set of requirements for which they will score points.
The points-based system will provide simple, effective, and flexible arrangements for UK employers to recruit skilled workers from around the world through a number of different immigration routes.
Skilled Worker Visa UK Guidance
The new point-based system will not apply to EU citizens living in the UK by 31 December 2020. They and their family members are eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme until 30 June 2021.
During the transition, the employers can still accept the passports and national identity cards of EU citizens as evidence of their right to work until 30 June 2021.
Skilled Worker Visa UK Requirements
The employers who want to recruit workers from outside the UK’s resident labor market need a license from the home office to sponsor workers and this will enable them to recruit workers from anywhere in the world.
Under the new system, anyone coming to the UK to work will need to demonstrate that:
- they have a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor
- the job offer is at the required skill level – RQF 3 or above
- they speak English to the required standard
In addition to this, the job offer must meet the applicable minimum salary threshold which should be higher than either the minimum threshold set as £25600 or the specific salary requirement for their occupation.
All applicants will be able to claim, their qualifications, against a lower salary to get the required number of points. If the job offer is less than the minimum Skilled worker visa UK minimum salary requirement but no less than £20,480, an applicant may still be eligible if they have:
- a job offer in a specific shortage occupation
- a Ph.D. relevant to the job
- a Ph.D. in a STEM subject relevant to the job
The top priority is a certificate of a good command of the English language. What else to take into account?
The first thing that pops up in many people's minds when it comes to becoming a skilled worker is - money. Yes, it is very expensive, so you need to save as much as possible for the application and other documents you will have to buy.
But what about other things? You may think that getting an invitation from a company or organization you want to work for (most employers do not invite themselves) will be enough, but no! When applying for a UK visa, there are many more requirements, which might surprise you. If your future job requires specific skills (e.g., an architect), make sure your qualifications meet the UK labor market needs, otherwise, your chances of getting a visa are almost none.
That is why it is very important to find an employer first and apply for a job second. Of course, the main thing you need to do is contact immigration services and local authorities where you will be applying for a work or residence permit. Only then you can start thinking about other documents that UK law requires from potential employees, such as certificates of a good command of the English language (if necessary) and having knowledge on occupational health and safety regulations. Jobseekers should also confirm what types of businesses they might want to work in or visit frequently because some activities require a security clearance.
What are the benefits of the skilled worker visa UK?
The following are the benefits of being a skilled worker in the UK:
1. You can live, study and work in the UK permanently. The only requirement is that you need to be 18 years old or above. In addition, there is no legal limit on how long your stay can be as a skilled worker in the UK.
2. If you're planning to visit your family and friends living in the United Kingdom, then this visa allows that freedom for an unlimited number of times and remain with them as long as you like without having to apply again and again. This means that after entering the United Kingdom as a skilled worker; accompanied by both parents, brothers/sisters who are all below 18 years old; there will be no limitations on your family reunion for as long you remain in the United Kingdom. Just remember that only those joining an existing skilled worker who is allowed to add their dependent(s) when they enter or after they enter in the United Kingdom.
3. You can study at any educational institution of your choice without having to pay fees upfront; however, you must be aware that if you change your mind and wish not to pursue student status, then you will no longer continue getting this benefit. There is also no limit on how many times you would like to switch back and forth between being a student and a skilled worker which means it's up to you whether or not you want to study something while working (that's assuming are no restrictions on student eligibility).
4. You can apply for your family members (dependents) to join you in the United Kingdom once you have entered this country, which means that they will be allowed to stay indefinitely with you so long as at any one time there are no more than 20 people who are dependents of a skilled worker. For example, if you have 2 children and 1 spouse then 3 people in total may remain with you in the UK.
5. If you choose not to take on employment or gain employment after your arrival in the UK then you can use your visa benefits to look for work without restriction. However, if within 6 months of being in the UK you cannot prove to the Home Office that you are either self-employed or employed by others without having to rely on public funds then you will no longer be allowed to stay in the UK.
6. If after entering the UK as a skilled worker and for any reason you want to apply for further leave to remain, then your application will be given priority treatment so long as you have not breached any of the conditions of your current leave.
Total 70 Points needed to apply and work in the UK
Characteristics / Points
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Offer of the job by an approved sponsor
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Mandatory
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20
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Job at appropriate skill level
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Mandatory
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20
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Speaks English at the required level
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Mandatory
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10
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Salary of £20,480 to £23,039 or at least 80% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)
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Tradeable
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0
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Salary of £23,040 to £25,599 or at least 90% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)
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Tradeable
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10
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Salary of £25,600 or above or at least the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)
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Tradeable
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20
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Job in a shortage occupation as designated by the Migration Advisory Committee
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Tradeable
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20
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Education qualification: Ph.D. in a subject relevant to the job
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Tradeable
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10
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Education qualification: Ph.D. in a STEM subject relevant to the job
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Tradeable
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20
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All jobs have a corresponding Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. Each SOC code has a designated skill level. This determines whether the job meets the requirements of the skilled worker route.
Immigration Skill Charge (ISC)
The Immigration Skills Charge is a fee paid by a UK employer for each skilled migrant worker they employ through the Skilled Worker and Intra-company Transfer routes. From 1 January 2021, such employers will need to pay the ISC when sponsoring both EU and non-EU migrant workers. Employers must pay £1,000 per skilled worker for the first 12 months, with an additional £500 charge for each subsequent six-month period.
Graduate Route
The graduate international students who have completed their degree in the UK from 2021 will be eligible to apply for the new graduate visa and this will enable the international students to remain and work in the UK for two years after the completion of their studies. International students who complete a Ph.D. from Summer 2021 can stay in the UK for three years after studying to live and work.
Health and Care Visa
The Health and Care Visa is part of the skilled work route. It will ensure individuals working in eligible health occupations, with a job offer from the NHS, social care sector, or organizations that provide services to the NHS, are able to come to the UK.
Care Route
This route is for applicants in the creative industry who are entering the United Kingdom for short-term contracts or engagements for up to 12 months. Applicants must have a confirmed job offer and their employment sponsored by a UK employer licensed by the Home Office.
Eligibility Requirement
- To get a license, you cannot have unspent criminal convictions for immigration offenses or certain other crimes, such as fraud or money laundering.
- This will depend on whether you are sponsoring a job applicant for general purposes, or for the purpose of an ICT. You can apply for a license covering either or both.
- You need to appoint people within your business to manage the sponsorship process when you apply for a license.
The roles are:
- authorizing officer – a senior and competent person responsible for the actions of staff and representatives key contact – your main point of contact with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
- level 1 user – responsible for all day-to-day management of your license using the SMS These roles can be filled by the same person or different people.
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Type of license
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Fee for small or charitable sponsors
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Fee for medium or large sponsors
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Tier 2
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£536
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£1,476
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Tier 5
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£536
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£536
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Tier 2 and Tier 5
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£536
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£1,476
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Add a Tier 2 to an existing Tier 5
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No fee
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£940
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Add a Tier 5 to an existing Tier 2
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No fee
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No fee
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