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Skilled Worker Visa

The UK Skilled Worker visa allows overseas skilled workers to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. You must have a confirmed job offer in a UK company that holds a sponsorship license.

The Skilled Worker Visa is open to individuals of all nationalities (except British and Irish) who have an offer of an eligible skilled job in the UK from a Home Office approved sponsor.

The route can lead to settlement and applicants can be joined by dependent partners and children.

Skilled Worker visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa category from 1 December 2020.

If you want to apply for a Skilled Worker visa UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer in the UK then our UK immigration solicitors can help.

Skilled Worker visa requirements

In order to qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

  • You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job you are planning to do;
  • Your job offer is a genuine vacancy;
  • Your sponsor has paid any required Immigration Skills Charge;
  • Your job is at an appropriate skill level;
  • You are competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0);
  • You will be paid a salary that equals or exceeds both a general salary threshold and the ‘going rate’ for the occupation;
  • You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds; and
  • You have provided a criminal record certificate if required;

You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements. Please contact us for initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.

Switch to Skilled Worker visa

If you currently have leave to remain in another immigration category, you may extend your stay by switching into the Skilled Worker route unless you have, or were last granted, permission as a Visitor, Short-term student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household or outside the Immigration Rules.

Extension of Skilled Worker visa

You can extend/renew your Skilled Worker visa or Tier 2 General visa before the expiry of your current Skilled Worker leave / Tier 2 General leave or if you are changing job and being sponsored by a different Skilled Worker sponsor.

Your prospective Skilled Worker sponsor will need to assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for you to apply for an extension/renewal of your Skilled Worker visa.

You cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa extension from outside the UK.

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