The Skilled Worker Visa is a key component of the UK’s points-based immigration system, designed for individuals who have secured a job offer from a UK employer. This visa requires applicants to meet specific criteria related to job skill level, salary, and English language proficiency.

Eligibility for the Skilled Worker Visa includes individuals who:

• Have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer holding a valid sponsor license.
• Meet the necessary skill level, salary requirements, and English language proficiency standards.

To qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, applicants must:

• Secure a job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor license.
• Meet the minimum skill and salary thresholds.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
• Accumulate the required points based on various factors such as job offer, skill level, salary, and language skills.

A total of 70 points is required for eligibility. This includes:

• 50 points from mandatory, non-tradable criteria (such as having a job offer and meeting the skill level).
• 20 points from tradable factors, which can include higher salary levels or working in a shortage occupation.

Yes, a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK employer with a Home Office-issued sponsor license is essential for applying for the Skilled Worker Visa.

Yes, dependent family members, including spouses, partners, and children, can join the primary visa holder. They may also be eligible to work or study in the UK, subject to specific conditions.

Yes, the Skilled Worker Visa provides a pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). After five years of continuous residence in the UK on this visa, individuals can apply for ILR, granting them the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely.

Processing times for the Skilled Worker Visa application vary based on the service chosen:

• Standard Service: Out-of-country applications typically take up to 3 weeks; in-country applications take up to 8 weeks.
• Priority Service: Applications are generally processed within 5 working days.
• Super Priority Service: Applications are usually decided within 24 hours.

Yes, individuals currently residing in the UK on a different visa category may be eligible to switch to a Skilled Worker Visa, provided they meet the necessary eligibility criteria and requirements. This process allows for a smooth transition to a Skilled Worker Visa without the need to leave the UK.

The Skilled Worker Visa has replaced the former Tier 2 (General) Visa. According to the Immigration Rules, the term “Skilled Worker” encompasses individuals who have held permission under the Skilled Worker Appendix or as a Tier 2 (General) migrant before 1 December 2020. Time spent on a Tier 2 (General) Visa contributes towards the 5-year qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). If you currently hold a Tier 2 (General) Visa and wish to extend or apply for ILR, your application will be processed under the Skilled Worker Visa rules.

Jobs eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa are those listed in the Appendix Skilled Occupations and Appendix Immigration Salary List. These appendices define the roles that meet the skill level and salary requirements necessary for the visa.

To apply for a Skilled Worker Visa, follow these steps:

1. Application Process: Applications must be submitted online.
2. Application Type:

• Outside the UK: Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa to enter the UK.
• Inside the UK:
• Extension: Apply to extend your current visa.
• Switching: Apply to switch from a different visa category to a Skilled Worker Visa.

3. Visa Update: If you need to change your job or employer, you must update your visa accordingly.

You can also include your partner and children in your application to stay in the UK if they meet the eligibility requirements.

How Much Does a Skilled Worker Visa Cost in the UK?

The cost of a Skilled Worker Visa varies depending on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK. Below is a detailed breakdown of the fees:

Skilled Worker Visa Fees for Applications Made Outside the UK

For applicants submitting their visa applications from outside the UK, the fees are as follows:

• For Stays Up to 3 Years: £719 per person, plus an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year.
• For Stays Exceeding 3 Years: £1,420 per person, plus an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year.

Skilled Worker Visa Fees for Applications Made Inside the UK

For applicants already in the UK seeking to switch, extend, or update their Skilled Worker Visa, the fees are:

• For Stays Up to 3 Years: £827 per person, plus an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year.
• For Stays Exceeding 3 Years: £1,636 per person, plus an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year.

Reduced Fees for Jobs on the Immigration Salary List

Applicants whose jobs are listed on the Immigration Salary List may benefit from reduced application fees:

• For Stays Up to 3 Years: £551 per person, plus an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year.
• For Stays Exceeding 3 Years: £1,084 per person, plus an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year.

The application fee remains the same regardless of whether you are applying from within or outside the UK.

Under UK immigration rules, “supplementary employment” refers to any job undertaken in addition to the primary employment for which an individual is sponsored. This supplementary role must meet specific criteria:

1. Employment Criteria:
   • The job must either appear on the Appendix Immigration Salary List, or
   • It must be in the same profession and at the same professional level as the main sponsored job, or
   • If the individual holds a Skilled Worker visa, the job must be in an eligible SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Tables 1, 2, or 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations.
2. Conditions for Supplementary Employment:
   • The individual must continue working for their sponsor in the job specified in their Certificate of Sponsorship.
   • The supplementary job must not exceed 20 hours per week and should be conducted outside of the hours committed to the primary employment with the sponsor.
   • For individuals with a Skilled Worker visa, the supplementary employment can also occur during the 4-month period specified in SW 18.1A of Appendix Skilled Worker, where applicable.

If you hold a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, you may seek secondary employment, which differs from supplementary employment. Here’s a detailed overview of the process and requirements:

1. Eligibility for Secondary Employment:

• Secondary Job: You can apply for a secondary job that does not qualify as supplementary employment. This job may involve more than 20 hours per week and may not be eligible under the Health and Care Worker visa category.
• New Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): To undertake a secondary role, you will need a new CoS. This requires applying for a variation of your existing permission, as your current visa does not cover this additional employment.

2. Application Process:

• Commencement: You must start working for your initial sponsor before applying for secondary employment.
• New Application: Submit a new application to vary your existing permission. This application should include:
• Your full name
• Date of birth
• CoS reference number from your current permission
• Expiry date of your current permission

3. After Approval:

• Permission Variation: Once approved, your existing permission will be updated to include both your primary and secondary sponsors. You will hold two CoS certificates concurrently during the validity period of both.
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP): If you have a BRP, a new card will be issued reflecting your secondary employment status. The new BRP will display ‘2 CoS as Letter’ to indicate both CoS references.

4. Documentation:

• Approval Letter: The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will update your approval letter to specify both primary and secondary sponsors, along with the end dates of employment. You must retain this letter alongside your BRP as proof of your right to work.

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a crucial document in the UK immigration process, specifically for those applying under the Skilled Worker visa. It is defined as:

• Electronic Document: An electronic record issued by a sponsor using the Sponsorship Management System (SMS), complete with a unique reference number.
• Sponsorship Reference Number: A record linked to a Sponsorship Reference Number provided by the sponsor to an applicant through the “Sponsor a Worker” scheme operated by the Secretary of State.

The CoS confirms the specifics of the job for which the sponsor is endorsing the applicant, ensuring that all job details are properly documented and verified.

Under the UK immigration rules, a “Skilled Worker” is defined as an individual who has, or has previously held, permission to work in the UK either:

• As a Skilled Worker under Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules.
• As a Tier 2 (General) migrant, according to the regulations in place before 1 December 2020.