SKILLED WORKER VISA

We can say that the Skilled Worker visa, which has replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa, is now the main immigration route for non-UK resident workers to come and work in the UK. This visa allows qualifying individuals to come to the UK to work for an approved sponsor in an eligible role.

We will be answering your questions about this visa in this article.

1. How can I be a skilled worker in the UK?

To be a skilled worker, you must score 50 mandatory points:

• You need to have a job offer from an employer with a Sponsor Licence. (20 points)
• The job on the certificate must meet your skill level and be included in the list of Home Office eligible occupations; (20 points)
• You must prove your knowledge of B1 Level English. (10 points)

Moreover;

• You need to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the employer.
• The salary you will receive must meet a minimum requirement for your job thpe. The minimum salary for the type of work you’ll be doing is whichever is the highest out of the following 3 options:
• £25,600 per year
• £10.10 per hour
• the “going rate” for the type of work you’ll be doing

2. Can I work in another job?

Yes, you can work in an additional job as long as you’re still doing the job you’re being sponsored for.

You can work up to 20 hours a week in a job with the same occupation code as your current job, and in a job in the shortage occupation list. However, if you intend to work more than 20 hours a week or in a different occupation code,

you’ll need to apply to update your visa by getting a new CoS from your second employer and be sponsored to do both jobs.

3. Does the Skilled Worker visa count towards ILR?

Yes, you can apply for ILR after you have lived in the UK continuously with sponsored status for 5 years.

Skilled worker visas are granted for a period of up to 5 years. At the end of your granted period, you can either apply to extend your visa or you can make an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

4. Can I spend time outside the UK with Skilled Worker visa?

Yes, you can because there is no limit under the Skilled Worker rules on time spent outside the UK. However, keep in mind that when applying for ILR, you must meet the absence limit, which limits your stay outside the UK in any 12-month period with 180 days throughout the five-year qualifying period.

5. Can I change my sponsored job?

Yes, you can. You will need to make an application to the Home Office to update your visa, if one of the following options apply:

• You would like to change your job and your employer
• You would like to move from a role that was on the Shortage Occupation List to a role that is not
• Your job has changed to a different SOC occupation code

You have up to three months before the start date of your new job to apply for a visa update. You can continue working at your current employment and/or work out your notice period while you wait for your application to be processed.

6. Can I bring my family members to the UK?

Yes, skilled workers can bring their close family members, which are their spouse, civil partner, unmarried or same-sex partner, any children under the age of 18, and children over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant.