Skilled Worker Route

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What is the Skilled Worker route?

In 2020, the Home Office made changes to the new points-based immigration system. The Skilled Worker route opened for applications and replaced the Tier 2 (General work visa) route. The new points-based system will include a route for skilled workers who have a job offer from an approved employer sponsor. 

Lower minimum skilled threshold 

From January 2021, any job offered to an overseas worker will need to be required skill level of RQF3 or above, equivalent to A level. 

Lower salary threshold

The Skilled Worker visa has a salary requirement of at least £25,600. Under the old Tier 2 (General) scheme the minimum salary to sponsor from overseas was £30,000. Employers looking to recruit under the Skilled Worker route will need to pay the skilled worker a salary which equals or exceeds this salary threshold as well as the “going rate” for the occupation (as set out in the Standard Occupational Classification system), which ever is higher. 

However, it is possible for those using the Skilled Worker route to in fact be paid less than the new general salary, where they will be given additional “tradeable points” for other attributes. This is something new and different to the old Tier 2 General route. Examples of those skilled workers with a lower salary are as follows: –

  • An applicant with job offers under the shortage occupation list may be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both the general salary of £20,480 per annum and 80% of the going rate under the relevant SOC code
  • An applicant who is considered a new entrant may be paid an annual salary which equals or exceeds both £20,480 and 70% of the going rate under the relevant SOC code.  
  • A PhD applicant may be paid an annual salary which equals or exceeds both £23,040 and 90% of the going rate for the relevant SOC Code. 

The “new entrant” criteria can be met in several ways. They must be under the age of 26 at the time of application, the applicant is a recent graduate or about to graduate, those sponsored in postdoctoral research positions along with those working towards professional qualifications, registration or chartered status are included. 

What are the benefits of the skilled worker visa route?

  • Applicants can live, work, and establish themselves in the UK and apply for ILR after residing in the UK for five years.
  • The Resident Labour Market test (RLMT) where settled workers could apply for positions before they were offered to migrants has been abolished with the new scheme.
  • Employers can recruit talent from around the world
  • Skilled workers can now apply for unlimited visa extensions, compared to the old Tier 2 (General) visa route where skilled workers could apply for extensions of up to six years.
  • You can switch visa routes from inside the UK
  • The lower minimum salary requirements for nee entrants (who are starting their career), they will need to meet either 70% of the going rate for their occupation code or £20,480 whichever is higher. 

What is needed to successfully apply for a Skilled Worker visa?

You will need the following documents to file an application under the Skilled Worker route:

  • Valid Passport
  • A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is issued by the employer
  • Evidence of meeting the required level of English language skills
  • The job offer must require a skill level of at least RQF3 (A level equivalent)
  • Evidence that the candidate meets the maintenance requirement, either by showing evidence of their savings or an undertaking from the employer
  • If your country is listed in Appendix T, a TB test.

Skilled Worker visa processing times?

The standard processing times for a Skilled Worker application are 8 weeks from inside the UK and 15 working days from outside the UK. 

Priority services are available as follows: –

  • Priority service – 5 working day 
  • Super Priority Service – 24 hours

Additional fees apply for priority services. 

How much does a Skilled Worker visa cost?

The application costs

Inside the UK

  • Visa – non-Shortage Occupation List (up to 3 years) – £704
  • Visa – non-Shortage Occupation List (up to 5 years) – £1408

Outside the UK

  • Visa – non-Shortage Occupation List (up to 3 years) – £610
  • Visa – non-Shortage Occupation List (up to 5 years) – £1220

Shortage Occupation List Visa – Inside & Outside the UK

  • Visa – (up to 3 years) – £464
  • Visa – (up to 5 years) – £928

Health and Care Visa – Inside & Outside the UK

  • Visa – (up to 3 years) – £232
  • Visa – (up to 5 years) – £464

Eligibility criteria

This is a points-based application. The applicant must score 70 points in total. These will be made up of mandatory and “tradeable” points

MANDATORY 20 Points – sponsorship by a licensed sponsor

MANDATORY 20 Points – job at the correct skill level for sponsorship

MANDTORY 10 Points – English language level at B1 (CEFR)

Skilled Worker Visa Application process

The applicant must follow a simple process to apply for a skilled worker visa

  • Register, complete and submit an online form on the gov.uk site
  • Pay the correct visa (immigration health surcharge and biometric enrolment fees, where applicable)
  • Book a biometric appointment on the website of the appointment centre operator 
  • Upload scanned copies of supporting documentation to an online portal
  • Attend the appointment to enrol biometric data

Financial Requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa?

The applicant must show they have sufficient funds to support themselves in the UK. Someone whose A-rated sponsor has “certified maintenance” on their certificate of sponsorship, does not need to provide additional evidence of finances. Similarly, someone who has lived in the UK for the continuous 12-month period prior to their leave application date does not need to provide evidence of funds. People who do not meet the above criteria will need to provide bank statements covering the 28 days period prior to their application, showing funds of at least £1270 in their personal bank account.