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Why Apply for a UK Work Permit (Tier 2 Visa)?
- Live and work in the UK for up to 5 years
- Get faster visa processing in just 3 weeks
- Earn an average annual salary of £55,000 to £85,000
- Over 700,000 jobs in the UK across high-demand sectors (IT, healthcare, engineering, education, construction)
- Issued 35,000+ skilled worker visas in the latest reporting year
*Want to work in the UK? Let Y-Axis help you with the steps.
Work & Settle in the UK
The UK invites skilled foreign professionals to work and settle in the country through the UK Skilled Worker Visa (formerly known as the Tier 2 (General) work visa). Workers whose occupations are listed on the Skilled Worker occupation list, including those on the Immigration Salary List, can apply to work in the UK on a long-term basis.
Among the popular professions on the list are IT, engineering, healthcare, construction, teaching, and specific finance roles. Y-Axis can help you take advantage of this talent shortage in the UK and position yourself to obtain a work permit.
To legally work in the UK as a skilled worker, you must apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa. The salary requirement for this visa is £41,700 per year, or the “going rate” of the occupation, whichever is higher.
Also, read…
What is a UK Work Permit?
A UK work permit is a legal authorization for non-UK residents to live and work in the country. The UK permit is categorized into specific work visa categories, depending on their purpose. The Skilled Worker Visa is one of the most common work visas in the UK, which requires a valid job offer, meeting skill and salary thresholds, and meeting the minimum English language proficiency requirements.
Also, read...
How to apply for a UK work visa?
Types of UK Work Visas
The UK work visas are mainly classified into four major groups:
- Short-term work visas
- Long-term work visas
- Business, investment, and global talent visas
- Other specialist work visas
*Want to apply for jobs in the UK? Let Y-Axis guide you with the steps.
Jobs in UK for Indians
UK job market is robust and is witnessing an increase in demand for professionals with specific skills in the growing industries. Professionals can find ample opportunities in various fields with high paying salaries anywhere in the United Kingdom. The most in demand jobs in the UK include Information technology and software, engineering, healthcare, finance and accounting, management, human resources, nursing, marketing and sales, hospitality and etc. Apart from these in demand jobs and industries, UK also provides wealth of opportunities across all other sectors and Individuals who possess the right skills and expertise can thrive in the ever evolving UK employment landscape.
Some of the places where there are wealth of opportunities in UK include Milton Keynes, Oxford, York, St Albans, Norwich, Manchester, Nottingham, Preston, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Sheffield, Liverpool, Bristol, Leeds, Cardiff, and Birmingham. These cities are a home to man top companies and businesses and provide opportunities for professionals with attractive salaries.
Read more...
Top IT Skills in Demand in the UK
With the ever-changing tech world, the demand for IT and Tech skills has become invaluable to companies following the trends. Below is the list of top skills in demand in the UK.
Programming Languages
- C++
- Python
- JavaScript
- SQL
- Java
Java Script is used for Front End Technologies. Many businesses use these languages to streamline processes across systems.
DevOps
It is one of the fastest-growing In-Demand digital skills in the UK.
Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
This is also an In-Demand IT Skill in the UK. This skill includes jobs like:
- Data Architect
- Data Warehouse Developer
- Data Analyst
Cloud Computing
Because of the need for data storage and computing power, the cloud computing market has become a popular business solution and a fast-growing industry in recent years.
Cybersecurity
The rise of cybersecurity attacks in the UK in recent years has made this IT skill one of the most in-demand digital skills in the UK.
CRM
The 14% increase in CRM skills since last year has made up more than 7.2 million professionals globally.
Also, read...
Top IT Designations in the UK
| Job Title | Typical Salary Range (GBP per year) |
|---|---|
| DevOps Engineer | £65,000 |
| Software Engineer | £60,000 |
| Python Developer | £70,000 |
| Data Scientist | £60,000 |
| Software Developer | £70,000 |
| Cyber Security Specialist | £55,000+ |
| Mobile Application Developer | £55,000 |
Top UK Industries Hiring Through Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship
| Industry | Typical Sponsored Roles |
|---|---|
| Information Technology | Software Engineers, DevOps, Data Scientists, Cybersecurity Specialists |
| Healthcare & Social Care | Doctors, Nurses, Care Workers, Allied Health Professionals |
| Engineering & Manufacturing | Civil Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Project Engineers |
| Education | Secondary School Teachers, University Lecturers, Researchers |
| Finance & Professional Services | Accountants, Auditors, Financial Analysts |
| Construction & Infrastructure | Quantity Surveyors, Construction Managers |
| Hospitality & Tourism | Chefs, Restaurant Managers (eligible roles only) |
| Telecommunications | Network Engineers, Systems Specialists |
| Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | Research Scientists, Quality Analysts |
Note: The industries in the above table are known to have the most number of licensed Skilled Worker sponsors.
UK Skilled Worker Visa Sponsors: Employer Categories (Updated)
| Sponsor Category | Examples of Sponsor Types |
|---|---|
| Technology Companies | IT services firms, SaaS companies, consultancies |
| NHS & Healthcare Providers | NHS Trusts, private hospitals, care providers |
| Educational Institutions | Universities, colleges, academies |
| Engineering & Manufacturing Firms | Infrastructure companies, factories |
| Financial Institutions | Banks, accounting firms, fintech companies |
| Construction Companies | Infrastructure and development firms |
| Hospitality Groups | Hotel chains, fine-dining restaurants |
| Research & Non-Profit Organisations | Research labs, foundations |
| Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences | Drug manufacturers, biotech firms |
Note: The UK currently has over 130,000 licensed Skilled Worker sponsors, which include public institutions, non-profits, and private companies.
Also, read...
Which jobs in the UK offer visa sponsorship to foreign workers?
Industry-Wise Jobs in the UK
| Industry | Designation | Most Common Skills | Top Hiring Locations | Remote Jobs Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Technology | Machine Learning Engineer | Deep Learning, TensorFlow, Machine Learning, Python | London, Cambridge, Edinburgh | 18.10% |
| Data Scientist | ||||
| Software Engineer | ||||
| Data Engineer | ||||
| Site Reliability Engineer | Terraform, Kubernetes, Amazon Web Services (AWS) | London, Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne | 41.30% | |
| DevOps Consultant | ||||
| System Administrator | ||||
| Salesforce Administrator | Salesforce.com Administration, Salesforce.com Implementation, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) | London, Leeds, Sheffield | 28.20% | |
| Salesforce Consultant | ||||
| Customer Relationship Management Analyst | ||||
| Business Analyst | ||||
| Computer Vision Engineer | Computer Vision, OpenCV, Image Processing | London, Edinburgh, Cambridge | 26.50% | |
| Software Engineer | ||||
| Machine Learning Engineer | ||||
| Data Engineer | Apache Spark, Hadoop, Python (Programming Language) | London, Edinburgh, Manchester | 27.40% | |
| Data Analyst | ||||
| Business Intelligence Developer | ||||
| Back End Developer | Go (Programming Language), Git, Amazon Web Services (AWS) | London, Manchester, Glasgow | 43.80% | |
| Full Stack Engineer | ||||
| Web Developer | ||||
| Procurement | Import Specialist | Freight Forwarding, Customs Regulations, International Logistics | London, Felixstowe, Manchester, Dover | 3.40% |
| Import Manager | ||||
| Import Clerk | ||||
| Freight Forwarder | ||||
| Import Export Specialist | ||||
| Sales & Marketing | Business Development Representative | Product Management, Product Strategy, Agile Methodologies | London, Glasgow, Oxford | 21.10% |
| Strategy Associate | ||||
| Vice President of Products | ||||
| Director of Product Management, Chief Product Officer, Vice President of Product Strategy, Head of Product, Product Team Manager | ||||
| Human Resource | Chief Human Resources Officer | Succession Planning, Culture Change, Talent Management, Employee Engagement | London, Belfast, Manchester | 13.70% |
| Talent Management, Chief People Officer, Vice President of Human Resources, Director of HR Operations | ||||
| Diversity and Inclusion Manager | ||||
| Talent Acquisition Specialist | Recruiting, Sourcing, Interviewing | Greater Manchester, Leeds | 23.00% | |
| Talent Acquisition Manager, Recruiter, Delivery Consultant, etc. | ||||
| Education | Career Counsellor | Coaching, Career Development, Training Delivery | London, Birmingham, Manchester | 20.60% |
| Career Advisor | ||||
| Writing / Publishing & Media Communications | Content Designer | User Experience (UX), Content Strategy, Web Content Writing | London, Edinburgh, Manchester | 21.60% |
| Content Coordinator, Brand Designer | ||||
| Copywriter, Editor, Content Manager | ||||
| Pharma / Healthcare | Laboratory Operations Manager | Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) | Glasgow, London, Manchester | 2.00% |
| Laboratory Supervisor | ||||
| Laboratory Assistant | ||||
| Medical Laboratory Scientist | ||||
| Laboratory Operations Manager | ||||
| Environmental Science / Health & Safety | Sustainability Manager | Sustainable Development, BREEAM, Sustainability Reporting, Environmental Awareness | London, Manchester, Bristol | 8.30% |
| Public Health Officer | ||||
| Project Manager | ||||
| Public Health Specialist |
Top 5 Industries in the UK (General)
| Industry | Approximate Employment |
|---|---|
| Retail & Supermarkets | 1.3 million+ people employed |
| Healthcare & Hospitals | 900,000+ employed (including NHS and private healthcare) |
| Charities & Non-Profit Organisations | 850,000+ employed |
| Recruitment & Temporary Staffing Agencies | 700,000+ employed |
| Secondary & Further Education | 690,000+ employed |
Top UK Companies in the Fortune Global 500 (Latest)
| Rank (UK) | Company Name | Industry | Approx. Revenue (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shell | Energy | $400B+ |
| 2 | BP | Energy | $240B+ |
| 3 | HSBC Holdings | Banking & Financial Services | $210B+ |
| 4 | Tesco | Retail | $80B+ |
| 5 | Unilever | FMCG | $60B+ |
| 6 | Barclays | Banking & Financial Services | $55B+ |
| 7 | GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) | Pharmaceuticals | $40B+ |
| 8 | AstraZeneca | Pharmaceuticals | $45B+ |
| 9 | Lloyds Banking Group | Banking | $50B+ |
| 10 | Vodafone Group | Telecommunications | $45B |
Also, read...
What are the most in-demand jobs in the UK for the next 10 years?
UK Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa allows skilled professionals to build their professional careers in the UK. The duration for stay as per the U.K. Skilled Worker is for a maximum period of 5 years. The Skilled Worker Visa is a points-based visa and applicants must score a minimum of 70 points for their application to be considered. The points are awarded based on:
- Whether you have a Certificate of Sponsorship from an employer
- Whether you are receiving an appropriate salary
- Your English communication skills
- The maintenance funds you hold
If you satisfy these parameters, you can then apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.
The Tier 2 visa is subdivided to allow for the following professionals:
- Tier 2 General Visa: For workers who have a job offer in the UK and whose profession appears on the shortage occupation list. This has been replaced by the Skilled Worker visa.
- Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer Visa: For workers of corporations transferring to the UK
- Tier 2 Minister of Religion Visa: For ministers of religions within a religious organization
- Tier 2 Sportsperson Visa: For coaches and sportspersons
If you have successfully received a Skilled Worker visa, you can:
- Study in the UK
- Bring family members to the UK
- Travel to and from the UK
Processing Time
The processing time for a UK or England work visa varies based on where you are applying from. The average processing time for a UK work visa takes around 3 weeks to 6 months, depending on the type of work visa you are applying for.
You can apply for this visa three months before you begin working in the UK. The starting date will be mentioned in the certificate of sponsorship you will receive from your UK employer.
You will get the decision on your visa within three weeks of your application. With the UK government including more occupations in the Shortage Occupation List, the processing time is expected to be reduced for many applicants.
How Long Can One Stay on a Skilled Worker Visa?
You can stay for a maximum of 5 years on this visa. The duration of a work visa depends on the length of your job contract. If you have not exceeded the maximum duration for your visa type, you can extend your stay. You will need to apply for an extension, either online or at a premium service center for UK visas.
You can stay for a maximum of 5 years and 14 days on the Tier 2 visa or the duration mentioned on your certificate of sponsorship (plus 1 month) whichever duration is shorter.
Requirements to Apply for UK Tier-2 Visa
The documentation required for the UK Tier 2 Visa includes:
- Having a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from an employer
- Salary and financial details
- Current passport and travel history
- Certifications proving your English skills
- Police verification certificate
- Other supporting documents
*Want to apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa? Let Y-Axis guide you with the steps.
Skilled Worker-Dependent Visa
The Skilled Worker dependent visa is for children and partners of those who have come to the country on a Skilled Worker visa or have applied for one.
The following persons qualify for a Skilled Worker dependent visa:
- Spouse
- Unmarried or same-sex partner
- Children under the age of 18 at the time of application
- Children over the age of 18 who are dependents
The partnership between spouses and partners should be genuine and they should plan to live together for the duration of their stay in the country.
Maintenance funds: Skilled Worker dependents have no recourse to public funds as such; in their application, they must prove access to adequate financial means for the period of stay in the UK and if there are dependents, they must demonstrate an additional £ 630 available for each dependent.
Age: The principal applicant and dependent must be at least 18 on the date of arrival in the United Kingdom, or when the visa is issued.
Other requirements: You must not be a previous holder of a UK visa for students, or a short-term study visa on or after April 2015, or have been given leave on or after April 2015 as a parent of a Tier 4 student (child).
Furthermore, you will have to qualify for the general grounds for admission. You must have a clear history of immigration, with no case of overstaying. When your spouse or relative’s visa expires, you must have no intention to stay in the UK.
Application process:
- Skilled Worker dependent visa applications may be made with the main Skilled Worker visa application either simultaneously or later.
- Regardless of when the applications are submitted, successful applicants will be given leave in accordance with the time of leave of the principal visa applicant.
- The approval process can vary according to where the approval for a Tier 2-based visa is made.
As a holder of Skilled Worker dependent visas, you can:
- Remain in the UK for the same period as the main Skilled Worker visa holder
- Work, with limited exceptions
- Study or take a postgraduate course, under certain conditions
- Apply to extend your visa in compliance with the principal applicant, provided that you continue to meet the eligibility conditions. When the key visa holder has left the UK, they will not be eligible to apply for an extension.
You cannot access public funds, work as a doctor in training, as a dentist, or as a sports instructor for professionals
Tier 2 visa applications are evaluated on the basis of the UK’s point-based system. One must have at least 70 points to qualify for the visa. You can score 30 points with a job offer with an employer sponsorship certificate. You can score another 30 points if your occupation finds a place in the Skills Shortage list. With these 60 points, it will be relatively easy to get the remaining points to qualify.
*Want to apply for a UK Dependent Visa? Talk to experts at Y-AXis to help you with the steps.
Finding a UK employer who can sponsor a Tier 2 visa
It will be easy to find one in the ‘Register of Sponsors Licensed Under the Points-based System’ which is available to the public. This contains a list of all the employers who have permission to sponsor international employees.
How Y-Axis Can Help You?
Y-Axis, the world's leading overseas immigration consultancy, provides unbiased immigration services tailored to each client's interests and requirements. Y-Axis can provide complete assistance for Indians looking to migrate to the UK for work with an England work visa.
Our impeccable services at Y-Axis include the following:
- Resume Marketing services: Y-Axis has a deep knowledge of the UK work policies, which helps you with all necessary inputs to increase your chances to work in the UK.
- Eligibility check to work in the UK: Know your eligibility to work or migrate in the UK through the Y-Axis UK immigration points calculator.
- LinkedIn marketing services: We will help you with every step to create a compelling LinkedIn profile through our LinkedIn marketing services which makes it the most appealing one among other profiles.
- Expert counseling: Y-Axis assists you in resume marketing services by providing expert guidance and counseling.
- Y-Path: Y-Path is a tailored approach that assists in making a life-changing decision.
- Jobs in UK: Check out the latest jobs in UK, with the help of Y-Axis professionals.
- Resume writing services: Y-Axis Resume Writing Services, makes your profile stand out. 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 of Y-Axis Resume Writing Services
- Resume Delivery within 4-5 business days
- An Expert for consultation
- CV 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
Y-Axis, the perfect choice to unlock cross-border opportunities. Contact us right now!
Talk to us to learn how you can launch your career in the UK.
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Frequently Asked Questions
