Our Skilled Worker visa solicitors have successfully assisted 100s of clients with their Skilled Worker visa applications and are experts in preparing skilled worker visa applications. We have successfully handled standard to highly complex skilled worker visa applications and can leverage our expertise to help you realise your career objectives in the UK in an efficient and timely manner. Our team of specialist immigration lawyers will take the time to understand your objectives, assign the right lawyer or a team of lawyers – where necessary – to your case and agree a strategy to help you achieve your objectives as cost-effectively and as quickly as possible.
If you wish to discuss your UK Skilled Worker Visa application with one of our expert immigration lawyers, call us on 0203 5761893 or complete our enquiry form.
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To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, you will need to demonstrate to the U Visas and Immigration that you meet the following requirements:
You are at least 18 years old;
You hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job you intend to do in the UK;
You have a genuine job offer from an approved UK employer;
The job you have been offered is at a suitable skill level;
You will be paid a salary that meets or surpasses the general salary threshold, the 'going rate' for the profession, and a minimum hourly rate (if applicable);
Your sponsor has paid the required Immigration Skills Charge;
You can show proficiency in English language at least at the CEFR Level B1 (comparable to IELTS 4.0);
You have sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependent family members without recourse to pubic funds;
If needed, you will be able to provide a criminal record certificate;
If needed, you will be able to provide a valid TB certificate.
The specific requirements, that may be applicable to you, will differ depending on your circumstances. You may wish to seek expert advice from an immigration lawyer.
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The Skilled Worker route is for European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and non- EEA nationals (except British and Irish citizens) who are sponsored to do a specific skilled job for a Home Office licensed sponsor.
If you or your immediate family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and you moved to the UK before 1st January 2021, you can sign up for the EU Settlement Scheme at no cost. This means you won’t need a separate visa to work in the UK. If you’re an Irish citizen, you won’t need to apply for either the EU Settlement Scheme or a visa.
The Skilled Worker visa route operates under the Point Based System (PBS), where points can be earned for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), job skill level, English language proficiency, appropriate salary, Phd level qualifications, a job in a shortage occupation, and the applicant’s status as a new entrant.
To be eligible to transition into a Skilled Worker visa, you need to accumulate a total of 70 points; 50 points can be accumulated from mandatory non-tradeable criteria, and the additional 20 points can be accumulated from tradeable ones.
The specific criteria you need to satisfy to be eligible for a UK Skilled Worker Visa can vary depending on your circumstances. You may wish to speak to an immigration lawyer for specific advice and guidance on your Spouse Visa application.
To meet the eligibility requirements of a Skilled Worker Visa application, you need to satisfy the following requitements:
Score 50 mandatory points against Sponsorship, Job at appropriate skill level, and English language skills;
Score 20 tradeable points;
Have sufficient funds for maintenance in the UK or have your maintenance certified by your employer in your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS);
Meet the suitability requirements of a Skilled Worker Visa application;
Not fall for refusal under the genera grounds for refusal.
To qualify for a Skied Worker Visa, you must have a valid Certificate of Application. For a Certificate of Application to be valid, it must:
Correctly state the applicant's name, affirm their sponsorship as a Skilled Worker, provide specifics of the job offer and the proposed salary, and list PAYE details if the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) mandates that income tax and National Insurance for the sponsored job be paid through PAYE;
(If the CoS is for an Entry Clearance application) have been assigned by the Home Office to your sponsor for the specific job and salary details shown on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS);
Confirm the start date provided by the sponsor on the CoS, which should not be more than three months after the application date;
Not have been used in a previous application that was either approved or refused (though it can be used in an application that was rejected as invalid, nullified, or withdrawn);
Neither have been revoked by the sponsor nor cancelled by the Home Office;
Confirm whether the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requirement, as per Appendix ATAS, is applicable or not.
One of the key requirements of a Skilled Worker Visa application is to satisfy the Home Office that the job for which you are being sponsored is a genuine vacancy and has not been created to facilitate your entry into the UK.
If the Home Office has reasons to believe that the job for which you are being sponsored doesn’t exist, is a sham (for example, the vacancy exist but you will not be filling it) or that the job has been created to facilitate your entry to the UK, your application will be refused.
Where there are concerns regarding the genuineness of the vacancy, the Home Office may decide to arrange a compliance visit to your Sponsor. If this were to happen, your application would be placed on hold pending the outcome of the compliance visit. Alternatively, where there are concerns about the genuineness of the vacancy, the Home Office may invite you to an interview.
Talk to our experts and get the right advice first time, every time.
To qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you are required to demonstrate English language proficiency to Level B1 (CEFR). You may satisfy this requirement in one of the following ways:
By being a citizen of a country where English is the primary language;
By passing a Secure English Language Test;
By achieving a GCSE/A Level or Scottish Highers in English while studying in the UK;
By earning a degree (at undergraduate level or above) taught in English;
By having fulfilled this requirement in any past application for entry clearance.
To meet the salary requirement of a Skilled Worker Visa, your UK Sponsor must pay you a salary which is equal to or exceeds the general salary threshold, the ‘going rate’ for the occupation and a minimum hourly rate (if applicable), whichever is higher.
If the going rate for the occupation is lower than the general salary threshold, then you are required to be paid at least the general salary threshold. If the going rate for the occupation is higher than the general salary threshold, then you must be paid at least the going rate for the occupation. In any case, you must be paid at least the minimum hour rate.
The Shortage of Occupations list is a document that contains a list of occupations for which there is a shortage of skilled workforce to fill in the required vacancies. If the job you are applying to do in the UK appears on the Shortage of Occupations list, the job will usually be subject to a lower salary threshold.
To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, you are to meet the financial requirement by demonstrating that you have had available funds of £1,270 for a consecutive 28 days period immediately before the date of your application.
You may, however, claim exemption from meeting the financial requirements if you have an A rated UK Sponsor who has agreed to cover your maintenance costs of
However, an exemption from these financial requirements is possible if you have an A-rated sponsor who commits to covering your maintenance costs up to £1,270 for the first month of your employment. If this is the case, your Sponsor must confirm this I your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Furthermore, you will be deemed to have satisfied the financial requirements if you can provide proof of your legal residence in the UK for at least 12 months preceding your Skilled Worker Visa application.
When applying for entry into the UK (Entry Clearance) under the Skilled Worker Visa route, if your sponsored occupation is domains such as healthcare, education or welfare, you are required to provide a Criminal Record Certificate. This certificate should be from any country where you have resided for a period of 12 months prior to your Skilled Worker Visa application date.
However, if obtaining a Criminal Record Certificate is impractical, an exemption may be granted. This requires you to present a satisfactory explanation detailing the reasons that make it unfeasible for you to acquire the certificate.
Talk to our experts and get the right advice first time, every time.
You will need to extend your Skilled Worker Visa prior to the expiry of your initial period of leave to remain. You will be able to do so if you remain with the same employer who sponsored your initial period of Skilled Worker Visa as well as your job being within the occupation.
If you plan to change your job or your employer or your occupation, the you will be expected to apply for a fresh Skilled Worker Visa rather than extending it.
Talk to our experts and get the right advice first time, every time.
You may qualify for Settlement as a Skilled Worker after you have completed continuous 5-year period of residence in the UK. During this five-year period, your residence must have been under any combination of the following routes: Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator, T2 Minister of Religion, International Sportsperson, Representative of an Overseas Business, Tier 1 Migrant (excluding Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Migrant), or Scale-up.
You will also need to satisfy the Home Office that your Sponsor continues to require your services for the foreseeable future and you will be paid a salary that is above the general salary threshold or the going rate, whichever is higher.
Another key requirement is the limitation on time spent outside the UK. During each year of the five-year continuous period, you must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days. In addition to residency requirements, you also must have passed the Life in the UK test. Exceptions to this requirement are given to those aged 65 or over.
Our immigration lawyers are experts in preparing UK Skilled Worker Visa applications and regularly assist Skilled Workers to move to the UK and progress their careers.
Whether you’re seeking professional guidance on navigating the requirements of the Immigration Rules in relation to a Skilled Worker visa application, an impartial evaluation of your likelihood to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, or specialized support in assembling a Skilled Worker visa application or immigration appeal, our team of immigration lawyers are very well equipped to assist you.
Our expert immigration lawyers have a wealth of experience in handling all types of immigration applications and have successfully assisted many applicants with their spouse visa applications. Below is a summary of reasons why we are different and are the right fit for you:
Our team of specialist immigration lawyers handle each case with great care and attention to detail from outset to its conclusion. Our expert immigration lawyers will ensure that your case if progressed in a timely manner and that you receive the highest quality legal advice and representation throughout the life of your retainer. The quality of service provided by our team of specialist immigration lawyers are self-evident from our Google review.
Our team of specialist immigration lawyers can provide you with excellent advice, guidance and legal representations remotely using modern means of communication. Whilst our expert immigration lawyer can meet you face to face in our offices at the heart of London, where a face to face meeting is not possible or convenient, our lawyers can represent you remotely without the need for you to attend our offices. Our expert immigration lawyers have successfully represented clients remotely from all four continents without their needing to attend our offices for a face to face meeting and can also represent you remotely if necessary.
Our expert immigration lawyers regularly represent UK Skilled Worker Visa applicants in connection with their applications for UK Skilled Worker Visas. If instructed, our immigration lawyers will assist you with every aspect of your application including:
Evaluating your suitability for a UK Skilled Worker visa with reference to your unique personal circumstances;
Evaluating the potential weaknesses and strengths of your UK Skilled Worker Visa application;
Advising you on steps to overcome the weaknesses in your application to improve your chances of qualifying for a UK Skilled Worker Visa;
Advising you on the documents you need to provide to properly support every aspect of your UK Skilled Worker visa application;
Reviewing your supporting evidence to ensure they adequate support your application, are in the right format and address every aspect of your Skilled Worker Visa application;
Drafting your Skilled Worker Visa Application and providing you a draft copy for your consideration;
Liaising with you to explain the draft form and where necessary or if requested, to make changes to the form prior to submission;
Uploading all the necessary supporting evidence onto the online application portal;
Arranging for your enrolment of your biometrics at a UK Visa Application Centre;
Drafting detailed statements for the Applicant, the Sponsor and other relevant witnesses where necessary;
Drafting a comprehensive letter of representation setting out how the applicant satisfies every aspect of the application;
Responding to request for further information from the Home Office where necessary.
Talk to our experts and get the right advice first time, every time.
If instructed, your matter will be assigned to a lawyer with specialist knowledge of immigration law who will handle your matter from initial instructions to its conclusion, and where necessary – such as in complex matters – your immigration lawyer will be assisted by other immigration lawyers to ensure the best possible legal advice and representation.
The Home Office (UKVI) provide a faster processing of application via its Priority Service application which enables you to get a decision on your (in-country) application within 24 hours of enrolling your fingerprints or within 5 days of enrolling your biometrics for out of country applications. Our specialist immigration lawyers can take all steps to submit your application via Priority service so that you can get a decision on your application in the shortest time possible.
To help you with certainty regarding the costs of your legal representation, we provide services for a reasonable and affordable fixed fee. To further help our clients manage the costs associated with their application, we can offer an instalment plan so that you can pay your fixed fees in instalments. Please do note, however, that all instalments must be completed before you enrol your biometrics.
Although our offices are officially open Monday – Friday, if you wish to have your case progressed outside of our normal office hours, we can arrange for one of our immigration lawyers to handle your case on an urgent basis for an additional fee.
Our team of specialist immigration solicitors and lawyers can provide you one-off advice completely free of charge via our online enquiry form.
The Skilled Worker Visa category allows Skilled Worker Visa migrants to eventually settle in the UK. If your application is successful, you will be granted leave for a period of 5 years or less depending on how long your Sponsor is willing to employ you for the job you are planning to do in the UK.
If you submit an application for a Skilled Worker Visa from outside the UK, you can usually expect a decision within 3 weeks of submitting your application. For application submitted from within the UK, you can usually receive a decision on your Skilled Worker Visa application within 8 weeks of submission of your application.
You are permitted to switch to the Skilled Worker Visa Route from inside the UK if you are residing in the UK with leave to remain valid for more than 6 months. You will not, however, be permitted to switch to the Skilled Worker Visa route if you were last granted leave to enter or remain as a Visitor, Short-term student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household or outside the Immigration Rules.
If you have been granted a Skilled Worker Visa, you will be able to sponsor your dependent family members such as your partner and your children who are under the age of 18.
Our expert immigration lawyers regularly represent Skilled Worker Visa applicants in connection with their applications for Skilled Worker Visas. Once instructed, our immigration lawyers will assist you with every aspect of your application including:
As a Skilled Worker Visa migrant, you are required to work in the job for which you have been sponsored to enter or remain in the UK. You may take up additional employment in the UK as long as the job for which you have been sponsored as a Skilled Worker remains your main occupation.
If you’ve successfully obtained a Skilled Worker Visa, you can extend your visa for as long you are being sponsored to work in the UK as a Skilled Worker. Skilled Worker Visa migrants usually consider applying for indefinite leave to remain after completing 5 years of continuous residence as a Skilled Worker Visa migrant.
As a Skilled Worker Visa migrant, you will need to be mainly present in the UK to perform the job you have been sponsored for and your tie away from the UK must have been authorised by your UK Sponsor. You will need to demonstrate on an application for ILR as a Skilled Worker that you have not been away from the UK for more than 180 days in any of the 5 years preceding the date of your application for ILR.
Our immigration lawyers are experts in preparing Skilled Worker Visa applications and regularly assist skilled professionals relocate to the UK (with their family members where appropriate) and meet their career objectives.
Whether you’re seeking professional guidance on navigating the requirements of the Immigration Rules for a Skilled Worker visa application, an impartial evaluation of your likelihood to qualify for an Skilled Worker visa, or specialized support in preparing a Skilled Worker Visa application, our team of immigration lawyers are very well equipped to assist you.
Talk to our experts and get the right advice first time, every time.
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