What is the Skilled Migrant Worker ?
The tier 2 (General) work visa is at present replaced by the Skilled Worker visa. Under this visa the applicant with an authorised sponsor or employer is permitted to stay in the UK to do a qualified job.
You are eligible to apply for the free EU Settlement Scheme, if you had started to reside in the UK before 1 January, 2021, under the condition that you or your close family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Norway. This allows you to work in the UK without any visa requirement. The EU Settlement Scheme or visa is not required by Irish citizens who are entitled to stay and work in the UK without a visa.
You can get help from Rubens Immigration, if you are a skilled worker and intend on working in the UK.
Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility
The following requirements must be satisfied if you are to be eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa:
- Employment by a UK employer who is an authorised sponsor approved by the Home Office
- A job offer in a recognised, eligible occupation
- Job offer confirmation before the submission of your visa application
- Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer, along with a statement of your employment duties.
- A minimum salary payment, which would depend on the kind of work you would be doing in the UK
- Demonstration of your English language capability and proficiency
Job Eligibility
You should receive a job offer from an authorised UK employer, to be eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa. The requirements must be met:
- The job must be qualified
- The minimum annual salary is at least £25,600.
- Your employer holds an authorised Certificate of Sponsorship, approved by the Home Office
- An occupation code is needed which must be received from your employer when you receive the job offer
Skilled Worker Visa Application Fees
Depending on your situation, the Skilled Worker Visa application fees range from £610 to £1,408. Further additional costs should be taken into account as well such as:
- Extra healthcare fee – £624 per person
- A minimum of £1,270 is needed for you to show that you can financially support your travel and stay in the UK. Exceptional case applies for those who have already been in the UK for at least 12 months under a valid visa or if your costs for the first month in the UK will be covered by your employer.
Applying with your Family
If your parents or children are eligible to be your dependents then they can apply to join you in the UK. The following members can be included in your application:
- Your husband or wife, civil partner or unmarried partner, fiancé/fiancée
- Your dependent children who are below 18 years of age
- Your children over 18 years of age who are not married but are already residing in the UK as your dependents
Evidence of your relationship should be provided in support of your application.
Get in touch with our expert immigration lawyers to learn how to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa.
How to extend your Skilled Worker Visa:
After a specific number of years, your Skilled Worker Visa will expire. But our stay can be extended if you meet certain specified requirements:
- Your current job is the same as the one for which you were originally given permission to stay in the UK
- Your occupation code is the same as the one for which you were granted the visa
- The employer you work for had sponsored your previous application
The visa extension can also be applied for the family, but a separate application is required.
If you hold a Tier 2 Visa
If you got CoS before 24 November 2016
Your minimum salary requirement is specified at a lower rate, if the application for your extension has been applied for before 24 May 2023, meaning that a minimum of annual salary of £20,800 must be paid.
If you got your CoS on or after 24 November 2016
The new salary requirement must be met if you apply for your visa’s extension before 1 December 2026. If allowance for your complete stay is promised to be provided then it could be added to your salary as well.
