UK’s New Skilled Worker Visa

The UK has changed it all the way a foreign-qualified person can get a work visa. The new skilled work visa is in action now.

The new skilled work visa program allows candidates to secure only 70 points from 130 to apply for a work visa. After Brexit, all applicants will have to apply for the new skilled work visa instead of the TIER 2 stream.

Please read here the new changes in the Immigration Rules for Skilled Worker Visa category.

The immigration rules changes are in effect from 9 am 1 December 2020. The statement of changes in immigration rules HC813 was announced by the UKBA on 22 October 2020. Having a job offer from an approved employer, English knowledge, and certain salary requirements make it now easier for those willing to qualify for a new work visa. people having better qualifications will have an edge over others.

At the beginning of 2021, the UK introduced a new points-based immigration system that allows employers to recruit people in the UK for a specific job in a skilled profession. The key features of a skilled worker’s path are broadly the same, meaning the applicant will need to have a specific job that meets the skills and salary requirements through an employer licensed by the Home Office.

Basic requirements of the work visa

• Job offer required from a recognized UK employer
• Low level of salary threshold (previously £30,000 but now will be £25,600).
• The ones who do not fulfill the salary threshold can also apply with a minimum salary threshold of £20,480 but they will have to show that their skills and job offer are from the shortage occupation list. Applicants will also be able to apply with an income threshold of £22,000 if they have a relevant Ph.D. in a STEM subject.
• Expansion of skills threshold. Previously only graduates were able to apply but now the ones qualifying equivalent to A-Levels will be able to enjoy the ease of applying for a work visa.
• Those who cannot fulfill the requirements (especially the salary threshold) of 70 points for applying for a work visa, may still be able to enter the UK if they have a relevant Ph.D. in a STEM subject.

What are the eligibility criteria for the UK’s new Skilled Worker Visa?

The minimum required score for this visa is 70 points in total. The 50 points are mandatory through non-tradable requirements. On the other hand, the other 20 points are through tradeable criteria. Following are the details of the 50 points that you must score to be eligible for the new Skilled Worker Visa:

Type of points	Available points	Skillset
language(English proficiency)	10	your language 4 skills minimum level is B1
work skill level (RFQ level 3 and above)	20	your selected job is in an eligible occupation code
sponsorship	20	job offer from an authorized employer
Total marks	50

Tradable ornon-tradable points table:

Characteristics	Tradeable	Points
Offer of the job by an approved sponsor	No	20
Job at appropriate skill level	No	20
Speaks English at the required level	No	10
Salary of £20,480 (minimum) – £23,039	Yes	0
Salary of £23,040 – £25,599	Yes	10
Salary of £25,600 or above	Yes	20
Job in a shortage occupation (as designated by the MAC)	Yes	20
Education qualification: Ph.D. in a subject relevant to the job	Yes	10
Education qualification: Ph.D. in a STEM subject relevant to the job	Yes	20

Job requirements

Normally your eligibility criteria depend on your job type. Important thing is that you should have a confirmed job offer before you apply for a skilled work visa. You can be given this visa if you fulfill the following criteria according to your job selection. You have chosen the work from an authorized employer by the home office:

• Your job is authorized for this visa
• Your selected job falls on the list of eligible occupations (Click here to check the list)
• Your minimum salary is according to the requirement. Your minimum salary will be calculated according to your work selection
• You have obtained a ‘ certificate of sponsorship ‘ from your employer ( Click here to check the complete list of licensed employers.)
• You have to provide further required information regarding the job scale you have been offered in the UK.

UK Skilled Work Visa job codes

All jobs that are eligible for the visa have been given 4 codes of the name. The code name makes the job search easier. If as an applicant you do not know the code of your job, you can search it here (ONS occupation coding tool). For searching the job code, you may use different job titles as the database is not based on only specified names against codes. Make sure that you check the proper job code and job name as sometimes some jobs have the same job code but different job titles. A good example is “Chefs” and “Cooks”. Both have the same job code but chefs are eligible for skilled work visas whereas the cooks are not.

Salary requirements

If you are not paid a required salary threshold, you will not be able to claim 20 points for it. You’ll usually need to be paid at least £25,600 per year (to claim 20 points) unless the ‘going rate’ for your job is higher than this. Professionals from the “health and education sector” will have to less the threshold of 20,480 to secure 20 points. The ongoing salary threshold is a must to be followed. In some job cases, even if your salary is £27,000 per year, the annual going rate for the job you’ll be doing is £30,000. You do not meet the usual salary requirements for this visa. A good thing is that, even if you cannot fulfill the salary threshold requirement, you can still be eligible for the visa. This is possible to apply with a minimum salary threshold of £20,480 but they will have to show that their skills and job offer are from the shortage occupation list. Applicants will also be able to apply with an income threshold of £22,000 if they have a relevant Ph.D. in a STEM subject.

Approved employers list

UKBA has also released the approved employer’s list. The job you get must be from one of the approved employers of the UK. These are mainly known as licensed sponsors. For applying for the skilled work visa, the sponsor (employer) issues you a certificate of sponsorship (that is a reference number only) to be included in your visa application. The certificate of sponsorship can only be used for 3 months from the time of issuance. Click here to check the eligible list of occupations with salary rates.

Language (English) proficiency

You have to provide evidence of your reading, writing, speaking, and listening at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages(CEFR) scale. You can prove it by passing the Secure English Language Test (IELTS) from an authorized provider. You can also show your required English level by showing that you have passed GSCE, A level, or and Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5. You have a degree-level academic qualification in the English medium of instruction in case of your study from abroad. Your qualification will be verified by UK authorities. You will be required to apply for confirmation through UK NARIC that your education is similar to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s, or Ph.D.

People from the following countries do not need to show their knowledge of English:

• USA
• Australia
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Belize
• Barbados
• Bahamas
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Malta
• Jamaica
• New Zeeland
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago

For some jobs, you do not need to prove your English language skills if you have already passed an English language assessment test that is authorized by the regulated professional body. The professions are:

• Doctor
• Nurse
• Midwife

In case you and your family belong to the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, or Norway

You may be able to apply for this visa if you and your family are living in the UK before 1 January 2021. Otherwise, for the work, you will require a visa. On the other hand, Irish citizens are not required to apply for a visa or to the EU settlement scheme.

Visa Fees

It depends on your duration of stay you want to live in the UK.

If you are a foreign candidate

The standard fee depends on how many years you will stay in the UK. If you live for 3 years you will have to pay £ 610 per person and If you live for more than 3 years – you will have to pay £1220 per person

If you are applying for an extension

Change or renewal of your visa from within the UK, the standard fee depends on how many years you will stay in the UK. For 3 years, you will pay £ 704 per person, and if you live for more than 3 years – you will have to pay £ 1408 per person.

If your job is on the shortage occupation list

In this case, you and your family will pay less. If you apply for a visa of 3 years then £ 464 and £928 in case you apply for more than three years. In this scenario, the fee is the same whether you are applying from within or outside the UK.

If you are from an eligible country

You will only pay a fee of £55 if you’re from one of the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey.

Fee reduction is for the main applicant only. The family members such as spouses and children will have to pay the full fees.

Required Funds

You will provide proof that you have more than £1270 in your bank account to support yourself in the UK. You are required to have had funds available for at least 28 days in sequence. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for a skilled worker visa. If you are applying outside the UK you need to prove your funds via a bank account. If you are in the UK with a legitimate visa for at least 1 year, you will need to show that your employer can cover your expenses during your first 4 weeks in the UK, for up to £1270.

Your family must also show the funds:

• your family (children and partner) will prove that they have the required money to support themselves in the UK
• your partner will show £285
• your one child will show £ 315
• every additional child will be required to show  £200.

If your employer can help you instead of for funds, this can be shown by:

• in your sponsorship certificate.
• your employer will need to complete the ‘Sponsor Certificate Maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.

Required documents for UK Skilled Worker Visa

• certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer
• language (English ) proficiency proof
• legitimate passport or valid travel document
• your job title
• your annual salary
• your jobs occupation code
• your authorized employer information, you will find this on your certificate of sponsorship such as his name and sponsor license number
• If you are applying outside the UK, you will need to provide a Criminal record certificate to prove that you have a clean record history.

According to your case, you may be asked for some additional documents such as:

• If you are building a relationship with your partner or children, they are proof of the relationship with you
• Your TB test results if you are from a listed country
• If you are working in certain jobs
• If your qualification is from outside the UK, you will need a UK Ph.D. certificate or your unique UNARIC reference number
• If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must also provide a certified translation.
• In case you have obtained your sponsorship certificate before 1 Dec 2020, you will need to update or renew your sponsorship certificate from your employer.
• If you are applying from outside the UK and you work, you will need to provide a criminal record certificate for the following job set occupation.
  • Education, such as Teachers, Education Advisors, and School Inspectors, Child Minders, Teaching Assistants
  • Healthcare such as nurses, doctors, paramedics, managers, pharmacists, dental and dental nurses
  • Therapists such as psychologists, speech and language therapists, counselors
  • Social services such as social worker, manager, probation officer, welfare and housing officer

• In case you have lived in more than one country:
  • Depending on your age and how long you have lived in every single country. You will be required to provide a certificate for each country in which you live. If your age is under 28, you will provide a certificate of each country where you have lived for 1 year or more after the age of 18. If you are 28 are more you will provide a certificate of each country you have resided in the last 10 years.

How to apply for a Visa?

After completion of your required documents, you can apply online. Depending on your case, there may be 3 situations to apply for the skilled worker visa :

• You are a candidate outside the UK
• You are in the UK and You want to extend your current visa
• You are in the UK and you want to change your visa type

Conditions: if you’re applying outside the UK

• If you want to apply from outside the UK, you will need all of the above documents. You will need to apply online for a skilled worker visa. Your spouse or children will need to apply separately.
• In most cases, you will have to go to the nearest visa application center to have your fingerprints and photo taken.
• Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you will also create or sign in to your UK Visa and Immigration (UKVA) account.

Your identification and required documents

Your identification is a must and documents are required according to your passport type and from where you are going to apply. You will need fingerprints and an ID checker app. You will fill out forms online after signing into your account. After submission of your application, the time of decision is 2 months normally. Your decision can be late if your supporting documents need to be verified. You can also be called for an interview.

Decision time

Normally it takes 21 days to 2 months after submission of your application, but authorities are unable to tell the exact decision time due to sudden changes in the pandemic.

Application cancellation and refund

You can ask to cancel your application at any time. You will only be reimbursed if the UK has now not taken action on your application. You will receive an email with a decision on your application. This will explain what you want to do next.

Conditions for your family (partner and children)

Your family members will be your dependents, if they fulfill the eligibility criteria, they will be able to join you and stay in the UK. If they obtain the visa they will stay as long as you will stay. Following are the people who can apply as your family members:

• your wife or husband
• your unmarried partner
• your civil partner
• your children under 18
• your children under 18, if their birth is in the UK during your stay
• your children under 18 if they are currently in the UK and they depend on you

You will need to provide evidence in one of the two options. Number one if you and your partner are in a marriage or civil partnership that’s authorized in the UK. Or number 2 if you both are living together and your relationship is running for 24 months.

Conditions if your child is 16 or over

You will support your child if he is 16 or over. Your child is not married, he/she has no civil partner or children.

Your visa extension  

You have to make a genuine case for your skilled worker visa extension. This is possible if you fulfill the following requirements:

• The applicant is still working for an employer who gave him his updated certificate of sponsorship
• His work is in the same occupation code as he was giving his previous permission to enroll and residence in the UK
• His job is the same as with the previous extension

The time when you can apply for a visa extension

You should not start your new job until you have your new permit confirmed. You should not travel outside the UK, Ireland, or the Channel Islands until a decision is made. If you do, your application will be withdrawn. You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the start date of your new job. You can continue working at your current job while your new application is being considered or during your notice period. To work on – until you apply before your current visa expires.

Conditions if you have a TIER 2 (General) worker visa

Conditions if the candidate has obtained the certificate of sponsorship before 24 Nov 2016.

If you apply for an extension before May 24, 2023, the minimum wage you will have to pay will be set at a lower rate. You’ll need to show payment of a minimum of 20,800 per year unless the ‘running rates for your work are higher.

Conditions if the candidate has obtained a certificate of sponsorship after 24 Nov 2016

If you apply for an extension before 1 December 2026, you will still need to meet the new salary requirements, but your salary may also include allowances, such as the weight of London. Any allowance should be guaranteed for the length of your stay.

Fees for fingerprints

You will pay £19.20 for your required fingerprints. You will apply online for your visa extension.

When you change your employer or change your job

Criteria if you want to change your  job or employer

Your new job is listed in occupations and your new employer is authorized, other criteria are the same as mentioned above for a new job.

Conditions if you want to add a new job to your current visa

• you will need to update your visa for this condition
• the occupation code of the new job should be different from Job 1
• your job is more than 20 paid hours a week in addition to the job you are being sponsored for
• your new job is also to fulfill the requirements as you did for the first job
• you will make a document which consists of the following things:
  • your name and the date of birth
  • reference number of your current certificate of sponsorship
  • the day at your current permission to stay runs out

Switch to a skilled worker visa

If you are in the UK and want to change your visa to a skilled work visa, you can do this. Your family will apply separately. You will be bound to stay in the UK until you get a decision. If you go outside the UK, your application will be withdrawn.

Criteria

You will prove your English language proficiency. You will also have to prove that your job fulfills the eligibility requirements.

People who cannot obtain this facility

People who obtained:

When you go back to your country and at the end of the date of your above-given visa, you will be able to apply for a skilled work visa.

Doing extra paid work

You can do extra paid work on this visa as long as you are still doing the work for which you are sponsored. You can also volunteer for free. You can work 20 hours a week in one job which is also one: in the same occupation code and at the same level that is your main job.