UK Skilled Worker Visa

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Why apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa?

  • The fifth-strongest economy in the world
  • Top universities in the world with high QS rankings
  • Free healthcare for permanent residents
  • High quality of living
  • 1.3 million job vacancies

The UK Skilled Worker Visa

The UK Skilled Worker visa was introduced to bring highly skilled overseas workers into the UK labor market and subsequently make them permanent residents.

With this visa, skilled workers from other countries can be selected based on the shortage occupation list. They will be eligible to get an offer letter without the labor market test and stay in the UK for up to 5 years.

*Planning to apply for a UK skilled worker visa? Get expert advice on migrating to the UK Flipbook.

Benefits of the UK Skilled Worker Visa:

  • Visa holders can bring dependents on the visa
  • Spouse is allowed to work on the visa
  • No cap on the number of people who can move to the UK on the visa
  • Minimum salary requirement has been reduced to £25600 from threshold of £30000
  • Fast Track Visas will be provided for healthcare professionals like doctors and nurses

Outlook of UK immigration plan

In this year, there will be major opportunities for UK immigration. The country plans new routes such as Global Business Mobility and Scale-up. It will introduce new visa categories and consolidate or modify some existing offerings. The new High Potential Individual visa would provide user-friendly access.

  • High Potential Individual route: It is a visa for students who have graduated from a top global university. It allows them to enter the UK without a job offer and work without restrictions, offering them the possibility to settle in the country if they meet certain criteria.
  • Scale-up route: It is a visa for talented candidates having a job offer from a qualified scale-up.

 

Simplifying the Innovator route:  Introduction of a fast-track program for businesses with growth potential

Allowing more flexible options for funding and an opportunity for the applicant to work outside the primary business

 

  • Global Business Mobility: New Global Business Mobility route for overseas businesses

The UK government has laid out all these plans as it aims to make the UK a global innovation hub by 2035. The introduction of this new fast-track visa for recruiting overseas talent would be “very important or vital” for the growth of its economy and employment.

Apart from these, the country is also facing labor shortages in many areas and hence it will rely on UK immigration for highly skilled foreign nationals.

 

Most popular ways to migrate to the UK

With profound knowledge of UK immigration policies, Y-Axis offers you expert guidance and counsels you on all necessary procedures and requirements to increase your chances of migrating to the UK from India.

Though there are many pathways for UK immigration, the most trusted and successful paths include:

  • Migrate through Work Visa – UK skilled migration
  • Migrate through Student Route
  • Migrating through Family Visa
  • Migrating through UK Business Visa
  • Migrating through a UK Investor visa

The UK government urges skilled professionals to work in the UK under the Tier 2 visa program to gain a competitive edge. This program allows job seekers to check the occupations in the Tier 2 Shortage Occupation List and apply for them based on their eligibility criteria.

The most in-demand sectors include:

  • IT
  • Finance
  • Teaching
  • Healthcare
  • Engineering

The applicant must gain a UK work permit to apply for the skilled workers’ program in the UK.

Later, if the candidates are offered skilled jobs in the UK, they need to apply for skilled worker visas. To apply for skilled worker visas, they should earn a minimum wage of £38,700, or based on the occupations or the ‘ongoing rate.’

New UK immigration points-based assessment system

The UK launched the new points-based immigration system in January 2021. The eligibility criteria for skilled migration depend on the ‘new points-based UK Visa system.’ It measures eligibility by considering various factors to assess candidates’ skills for the UK work visa.

The points scored based on the UK New Points-based System decide the eligibility for the work visa.

To qualify for the UK work visa, the candidate should score at least 70 points. If the candidate has an approved job offer for a skilled job and can speak fluent English, she/he will be awarded 50 points.

The candidate can gain the remaining 20 points if the salary being offered is at least £25,600 per year. The candidates can earn extra points if they have higher qualifications:

  • 10 points for a relevant PhD
  • 20 points for a PhD in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) disciplines
  • 20 points for a job offer in the skill shortages stream
  • Few jobs, such as health or education, will earn them 20 points even if their pay is less than £30,960

UK Skilled Worker Visa
The UK Skilled Worker Visa is what you need if you are a non-EU national as well as a skilled professional wanting to reside and be employed in the UK. This visa has replaced the earlier Tier 2 (General) Work Visa.

It has to be noted that if an EU national who is your relative has started to live in the UK before December 31, 2020, such a person can lodge an application to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

Requirements for UK Skilled Worker Visa

  • You must have a score of 70 points to qualify in the defined parameters like specific skills, qualifications, salaries and professions.
  • You need to have a Minimum Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 2 years of skilled work experience from the eligible occupations list
  • You must have a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor
  • The job offer must be at the required skill level – RQF 3 or above (A Level and equivalent)
  • You must meet the English Language requirement at B1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
  • The minimum salary requirement jumps significantly to £38,700 per year for any new migrant applying for the Skilled Worker visa.
  • Health and Care Workers must be paid a minimum salary of £29,000.
  • Senior or Specialist Workers must be paid a minimum salary of £48,500 annually.

Documents required to apply for UK Skilled Worker Visa

The following documents will be required at the time of applying for a UK Skilled Worker visa:

  • The applicant’s Certificate of Sponsorship [CoS] reference number
  • Proof of knowledge of the English language
  • A valid passport [or other documents that establish the applicant’s nationality and identity]
  • Job title
  • Annual salary
  • Occupation code of the job
  • Name of the employer
  • The sponsor licence number of the employer

Jobs listed in the UK Immigration Salary List

You can be paid between 70% and 90% of the standard going rate for your job if your salary is at least £30,960 per year and you meet one of the following criteria:

  • Your job is on the immigration salary list
  • You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
  • You have a science, technology, engineering, or maths (STEM) PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job (if you have a relevant PhD level qualification in any other subject, your salary must be at least £26,100)
  • You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

 

Occupation code

Job types included on the immigration salary list

Areas of the UK which qualify

Standard rate

Lower rate

1212

Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing, and related services – only “fishing boat masters.”

Scotland only

£30,960 (£15.88 per hour)

£27,000 (£13.85 per hour)

2111

Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry

Scotland only

£35,200 (£18.05 per hour)

£29,600 (£15.18 per hour)

2112

Biological scientists – all jobs

UK wide

£41,900 (£21.49 per hour)

£32,100 (£16.46 per hour)

2115

Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists

UK wide

£36,400 (£18.67 per hour)

£25,200 (£12.92 per hour)

2142

Graphic and multimedia designers – all jobs

UK wide

£30,960 (£15.88 per hour)

£35,800 (£18.36 per hour)

3111

Laboratory technicians – only jobs requiring 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally.

UK wide

£30,960 (£15.88 per hour)

£23,200 (£11.90 per hour)

3212

Pharmaceutical technicians – all jobs

UK wide

£30,960 (£15.88 per hour)

£23,400 (£12.00 per hour)

3411

Artists – all jobs

UK wide

£32,900 (£16.87 per hour)

£27,300 (£14.00 per hour)

3414

Dancers and choreographers – only skilled classical ballet dancers or skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognized UK ballet or contemporary dance companies. The company must be endorsed as being internationally recognized by a UK industry body such as the Arts Councils (of England, Scotland or Wales).

UK wide

£30,960 (£15.88 per hour)

£23,200 (£11.90 per hour)

3415

Musicians – only skilled orchestral musicians who are leaders, principals, sub-principals, or numbered string positions and who meet the standard required by internationally recognized UK orchestras. The orchestra must be a full member of the Association of British Orchestras.

UK wide

£32,900 (£16.87 per hour)

£27,300 (£14.00 per hour)

3416

Arts officers, producers, and directors – all jobs

UK wide

£37,500 (£19.23 per hour)

£31,300 (£16.05 per hour)

5119

Agriculture and fishing trades are not elsewhere classified – only jobs in the fishing industry

UK wide

£30,960 (£15.88 per hour)

£23,200 (£11.90 per hour)

5213

Welding trades – only high integrity pipe welders, where the job requires 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally.

UK wide

£31,700 (£16.26 per hour)

£26,400 (£13.54 per hour)

5235

Boat and ship builders and repairers – all jobs

Scotland only

£32,400 (£16.62 per hour)

£28,100 (£14.41 per hour)

5312

Stonemasons and related trades – all jobs

UK wide

£31,000 (£15.90 per hour)

£25,800 (£13.23 per hour)

5313

Bricklayers – all jobs

UK wide

£30,960 (£15.88 per hour)

£25,800 (£13.23 per hour)

5314

Roofers, roof tilers, and slaters – all jobs

UK wide

£31,000 (£15.90 per hour)

£25,800 (£13.23 per hour)

5316

Carpenters and joiners – all jobs

UK wide

£30,960 (£15.88 per hour)

£25,200 (£12.92 per hour)

5319

Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only retrofitters

UK wide

£30,960 (£15.88 per hour)

£25,500 (£13.08 per hour)

6135

Care workers and home carers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. Private households or individuals (other than sole traders sponsoring someone to work for their business) cannot sponsor Skilled Worker applicants.

UK wide

£30,960 (£15.88 per hour)

£23,200 (£11.90 per hour)

6136

Senior care workers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity.

UK wide

£30,960 (£15.88 per hour)

£23,200 (£11.90 per hour)

6129

Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified – only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders

UK wide

£30,960 (£15.88 per hour)

£23,200 (£11.90 per hour)

9119

Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified – only deckhands on large fishing vessels (9 meters and above) where the job requires the worker to have at least 3 years full-time experience in using their skills.This experience must not have been gained through working illegally.

     

 

UK Skilled Worker Visa fees

  • Application Fees for stay up to 3 years – 719 pounds
  • Application Fees for stay more than 3 years stay-1,420 pounds
  • Application Fees if your job is on the Immigration Salary List for a stay of up to 3 years) – 551 pounds
  • Application Fees (f job in Immigration Salary List and you wish to stay for more than three years 1084 pounds
  • UK NARIC Fees: 49.50 pounds
  • UK NARIC – 140 Pounds + VAT

Apart from the application fees, you will have to pay a health surcharge of 1,035 pounds per year of stay when you apply, which will be refunded in case your application is rejected

Migrate through the student route

The UK is next only to the US as the most favored destination for foreign students. The UK is home to the best-ranked universities in the world, some of which make it to the top of the world university rankings.

Many sectors of higher education in the United Kingdom, such as engineering, business, management, art, design, and law, are among the best in the world.

Every year, more than 600,000 international students arrive in the country to pursue various academic programs, beginning from bachelor’s degrees to PhDs. The degrees that the UK higher educational institutions offer are recognized worldwide. Students who study in UK universities get an opportunity to develop competent skills and earn valuable knowledge.

Students can pursue post-graduate studies in most of the universities in the UK as some of them even promise sponsorship of Tier 4 visas. Obtaining a UK Student Visa helps you put your best foot forward, in terms of a brilliant career post your UK study.

The academic year in the UK lasts from September to July. Generally, universities and colleges in the UK have three intakes. Some of them might also refer to intake as a term.

The three intakes in the UK are:

Intake 1: Term 1 – Commencing in September/October, it is the major intake

Intake 2: Term 2 – The intake commencing in January/February is also available

Intake 3: Term 3 – Commencing in May/June, it is available for select courses.

UK family visas are a type of UK entry and residence authorizations that are granted to those who want to settle with their family members permanently in the UK.

UK Family Visa

There are a few ways in which you can get a UK family visa:

  • As a spouse or partner of a UK resident.
  • As a parent of a UK resident.
  • As a child of a UK resident.
  • As a sick, disabled, or aged relative in need of long-term care from a UK resident.
  • On the basis of private life.
  • As a widowed partner of a former UK resident.
  • As a separated spouse or partner.

UK Investment Visa

The UK Investment Visa is a Tier 1 visa, part of the UK Points Based System, offered to wealthy individuals who are willing to invest a minimum of £2 million in the UK. The higher the amount of money invested, the quicker the individual can apply for settlement and eventually obtains British citizenship.

For high-net-worth individuals wanting to settle in the UK, the following are the most suitable alternatives:

  • Innovator visa
  • Global talent visa
  • Scale Up visa 

How can Y-Axis assist you?

  • Job search services

Y-Axis makes your UK job search easy!

The UK is the best place for skilled professionals to work and settle. With deep knowledge of UK immigration and work policies, Y-Axis offers you superior guidance and counsel on all necessary procedures and requirements to increase your chances of working and migrating to the UK.

Our impeccable job search services include:

  • Eligibility check to work in the UK

You can check your eligibility to work in the UK through the Y-Axis UK immigration points calculator

  • LinkedIn marketing

Y-Axis LinkedIn Marketing services help to create a better first impression through our LinkedIn Marketing Services. We guide you in every step to create a compelling LinkedIn profile that gives overseas recruiters the confidence to reach you.

  • Expert counseling on job roles and responsibilities

While seeking jobs and careers overseas, the most important question is whether the current roles and responsibilities match the requirements overseas.

  • Y-Path

Get step by step guide to work in UK. Y-Path is a personalised approach which assists in making a life changing decision. Millions of people transform their lives dramatically when they work or study abroad and you can too.

  • Jobs in the UK

Check with the Y-Axis overseas jobs page to get the latest updates on active job openings in the UK. There is a huge demand for skilled professionals across the world. Over the years, Y-Axis has built up the knowledge and understanding of global economic trends to help our clients make the right decision about working abroad.

*Check out the latest jobs in the UK with the help of Y-Axis professionals.

Resume writing services

Y-Axis resume writing services make your profile stand out!

Our resume writing services assist you in boosting your interview chances in the age of technologically backed, digitally screened resumes. It’s pertinent that your professional resume highlights your inimitable skills and experiences and accentuates why you’d make an impressive employee, but it also needs to be ATS-friendly and written to make you stand out on a global recruitment platform.

With Y-Axis Resume Writing Services, you can rest assured that your resume checks all the below criteria:

  • ATS friendly
  • Adequate relevant industry keywords
  • Format in line with international standards
  • Appealing language that is relevant to your role
  • Well-structured to guide the recruiter
  • Showcasing your professional strengths
  • Proofread and quality checked to be error-free and well-written

Highlights

Our Resume Writing services:

  • Resume Delivery within 4-5 business days
  • An Expert for consultation
  • CV was written by 10+ Years of writers
  • ATS optimized and tested
  • Word and PDF document
  • Up to 2 document revisions
  • A Cover Letter that covers your professional summary
  • A LinkedIn Makeover In line with the resume

Sign up for a free expert consultation

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Skilled Worker visa?
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How do I qualify for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK?
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What jobs qualify for a Skilled Worker visa UK?
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Can you bring dependents on the visa?
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What are the documents required for the Skilled Worker visa?
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What is the cost of the Skilled Worker visa?
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Is there a Salary relaxation for the Skilled Worker visa compared to the earlier Tier 2 visa?
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Is there any preference given for member of the European Union?
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Is there any preference for candidates with Ph.D.?
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Is IELTS required for the Skilled Worker visa?
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Can the Dependent spouse of the visa holder eligible to work?
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Is education free for children of Skilled Worker visa holders?
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Is there free medical services for the visa holders?
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What is the duration of the visa?
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What is new point-based system introduced in the UK?
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How many points are required to eligible for skilled worker visa?
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How do I know if I have the required points to eligible as I will score some points for the salary package that I will be getting for my job in the U.K?
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If I have more points is it easy to get a visa?
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After the UK employer issues Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) are there chances of rejection of the Skilled Worker visa?
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How much salary can I expect if I apply for a Skilled Worker visa?
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Will the UK economy go down because of Brexit?
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Do children of Tier 2 visa holders in the UK get access to free education?
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Is the minimum salary package advantageous or disadvantageous for applicants?
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How many years need to be on work permit to get PR?
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How many years of stay on a PR visa is required to apply for UK citizenship?
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After I gain UK citizenship do I have work rights in EU?
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What is the difference between new rules and old rules on Tier 2 work permit?
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After getting UK citizenship can I get work rights in other countries like Australia and Canada?
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In 5 years how many days I can stay outside UK to be eligible for ILR?
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Can I sponsor my parent's dependent PR after getting UK citizenship?
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Can I check online on how many allocations a particular employer has?
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How do I know is COS is genuine? Do I have the option to check before lodging my visa application?
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How much will the Tier 2 visa cost and how long it will take to process?
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Can dependents work full time?
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