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The UK Skilled Worker Visa is one of the most popular types of UK Work Visa, and for good reason. For eligible candidates, it may be their only opportunity to experience working in the UK, whilst benefitting from the stability of a well-established visa.

To submit a high-quality application for a UK Skilled Worker Visa, it’s essential to gain an understanding of how the application works and who is eligible. Professional immigration lawyers work with candidates from all over the world to support this understanding.

In this article, you will find a wealth of information on the UK Skilled Worker Visa, including how to apply, how much it costs, and who is eligible.

Overview of the UK Skilled Worker Visa

The UK Skilled Worker Visa (replacing the Tier 2 General work visa) is a type of Work Visa for foreign citizens who have a job offer from an approved employer. When the visa is issued to the foreign worker, they become eligible to work in the UK.

Eligibility Requirements for the UK Skilled Worker Visa

All UK Skilled Worker Visa applicants must prove that they have a job offer within the application, meaning individuals who do not yet have an offer of employment are not eligible to apply for this visa.

While the eligibility requirements differ depending on the job, the general requirements are:

● To have an employment offer for a job that is on the list of eligible occupations, and that will pay a minimum salary

● To work for a Home Office-approved UK employer

● To be able to speak, read, write and understand English

● To have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ (CoS) from the prospective employer

Fees for the UK Skilled Worker Visa

The UK Skilled Worker Visa comes with several costs, including:

● Application fee (£719-£1639)

● Healthcare surcharge (£1035 per year)

● Personal savings (at least £1270)

How to Apply for the UK Skilled Worker Visa

For those living in the UK, it may be possible to switch from an existing visa to a Skilled Worker Visa UK. However, foreign workers must complete the visa application online.

The Skilled Worker Visa application features questions about the candidate’s personal details and intentions for living in the UK, as well as a section to upload supporting documents, which are:

● Valid passport or other document showing nationality and identity

● Correct occupation code

● Employer’s name and sponsor licence number

● Certificate of sponsorship reference number

● Job title and annual salary

● Proof of knowledge of English

Other documents that may be required for certain applicants are:

● Criminal record certificate

● Proof of relationship with partner or children

● UK PhD certificate or unique Ecctis reference number

● Proof of sufficient personal savings

● Valid ATAS certificate

● Tuberculosis test results (for those who come from a listed country)

● Certified translations of foreign language documents

● Certificates from previous host countries

After submitting the forms, the candidate must pay the application fees. Next, they are required to prove their identity by scanning their identity document with the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app or providing biometrics at a UK visa application centre.

Bringing Dependants to the UK with a UK Skilled Worker Visa

Those with a partner or children can apply for these dependants to live with them in the UK, provided that the primary candidate is successful in their Skilled Worker Visa application.  Dependants are children under 18, children over 18 who are currently residing in the UK as a dependant, and spouses, civil partners, or unmarried partners.

Although the dependants’ applications cannot be submitted as part of the primary candidate’s application, all forms can be connected using a family linking code.

It should be noted that the funds needed to support the candidate’s lifestyle are increased when a dependant is involved, and the money must have been available for the past 28 days. Each applicant (or their dependant) needs £285 for a partner and £315 for one child.

To be eligible to bring a partner to the UK, one of the following conditions must be met:

● The relationship is at least 2 years old at the time of the application

● The couple are in a marriage or civil partnership that is recognised in the UK 

Couples who are not living together must prove their commitment in other ways, such as:

● Evidence of spending time together as a couple

● Proof of mutual financial support

● Demonstration of regular communication

Applicants who wish to bring their children to the UK must prove that their child:

● Is not married or in a civil partnership

● Is living with them (excluding children who are living away from home in full-time education)

They must also give evidence of their address, which may be in the form of a driving licence, NHS registration document, bank statement etc.

Extending a UK Skilled Worker Visa

UK Skilled Worker Visas last 5 years if the visa holder stays in the same job for this time period. However, the visa can be renewed after 5 years if the candidate meets the following conditions

● They are doing the same job

● Their job is in the same occupation code 

● They are working for the same employer

If dependants are involved, they must also apply to extend their visa before their expiry date.

Working With an Immigration Lawyer 

The best way to understand the UK Skilled Worker Visa is to meet with a specialist, who is aware of all of the steps each candidate needs to take, and can offer tailored advice for each unique situation.

Although candidates could apply for the visa independently, there is a higher risk of rejection if a professional is not involved in the process. Immigration lawyers are treasured for a reason; their skills and experience are unmatched.