The UK Skilled Worker visa's main objective is to allow highly skilled foreign employees to join the UK job market and ultimately establish a permanent residence there. With this visa, skilled workers from other nations can be chosen based on the list of available occupations. They will be able to get an offer letter without the job market test and stay in the UK for up to 5 years. In this article we will discuss the skilled worker visa uk requirements and benefits.
Skilled Worker Visa UK Requirements
Skilled Worker eligible occupations
The sponsor must find the appropriate SOC code for the part in order to decide whether the position qualifies for the Skilled Worker route. The ONS occupation coding application is typically used for this. The role that is filled should be described in the list's job description.
To confirm that the code is available and comes under the Skilled Worker route, it must be cross-referenced with the list of jobs that meet the requirements. If the wrong SOC number is used, the Home Office may reject the skilled worker visa uk application.
Skilled Worker minimum salary requirement
The general minimum salary requirement for skilled worker visas is £26,200 per year, unless the "going rate" for the specific position is higher. Every occupational code has been given a going rate. The salary amount must be determined hourly instead of just annually. Even if the yearly salary is more than what is required, the minimum hourly salary cannot be less than £10.10.
Even though a minimum salary of £20,480 must still be met, the salary requirement for new hires is 30% lower than the rate for experienced workers in any profession. Furthermore, there are various minimum salary requirements for employees in specific health or education professions.
English language requirement
Unless they have already demonstrated their English language proficiency as part of a prior UK immigration application or if they're a citizen of one of several exempt countries, most applicants for a skilled worker visa will need to show that they meet the language requirement.
The following countries are exempted from the English language requirement for applicants:
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- USA
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
Certificate of sponsorship requirement
Before the worker can file an application for a visa, their UK sponsor must first provide them with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), confirming that the person and their job qualify for sponsorship. The CoS is a reference code that the applicant for a skilled worker visa uk must include with their Home Office application.
Benefits of Skilled Worker Visa UK
Job opportunities
The skilled worker visa uk gives qualified individuals the chance to work in a variety of professions, such as healthcare, engineering, and information technology. For skilled workers looking to work in the UK, this visa category opens up a lot of job opportunities.
Flexibility
The ability to switch employment in the UK is available to workers with a Skilled Worker Visa UK without the need to submit an application for a new visa. They must, however, work in a position that requires at least the same level of skill as their prior one.
Long-term employment
With the ability to work in the UK for up to five years, skilled employees have the chance to find long-term employment. Skilled workers can also file for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or permanent citizenship after five years of continuous residence in the UK.
