Skilled Worker

Skilled Worker Visa (Including Health and Care Visa)
The UK Skilled Worker visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa on 1 December 2020. It allows you to enter or remain in the UK to work in an eligible role with an approved employer. Sometimes referred to as a “UK work permit,” the Skilled Worker visa provides you with the opportunity to secure a career in the UK, provided you meet the required criteria.
The Health and Care visa is a subcategory of the Skilled Worker visa. It is designed for medical professionals wishing to work with the NHS, NHS suppliers, or in adult social care in the UK.

Eligibility for the Skilled Worker Visa
To apply for the Skilled Worker visa, you must meet the following requirements:

1.  Valid Sponsorship: You must have a certificate of sponsorship from a Home Office-licensed sponsor.
2. Eligible Occupation: The job must be in an occupation listed in the Appendix Skilled Occupations.
3. English Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate English language ability at a minimum of B1 level in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
4. TB Test Requirement: If you have lived in a country listed in the Immigration Rules for more than 6 months before applying, you will need to provide a clear TB test result.

Additionally, the job must meet the minimum salary requirement, which is the higher of either:

• £38,700 per year, or
• The ‘going rate’ for the occupation.

Exceptions to the Salary Requirement
If your salary is below the £38,700 minimum, you may still be eligible for the Skilled Worker visa if one of the following applies:
You can be paid between 70% and 90% of the standard going rate for your job if your salary is at least £30,960 per year and you meet one of the following criteria:

• You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
• You have a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job (if you have a relevant PhD level qualification in any other subject your salary must be at least £26,100)
• You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

Your job is on the immigration salary list

• The immigration salary list is a list of skilled jobs which have lower salary requirements.
  
  • If your job is on the immigration salary list you also pay a lower fee to apply for your visa.
  • You must be paid at least £30,960 per year if you are being sponsored for a job on the immigration salary list.

Financial Requirements
You must also demonstrate that you have enough funds to support yourself when you arrive in the UK. You need to have at least £1,270 in savings, or your sponsor must certify they will provide accommodation and maintenance up to £1,270 during your first month of employment, unless you’ve been in the UK for 12 months before applying.

Additional Requirements
If your job is in health, education, or social services, and you have lived outside the UK for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, you must provide a criminal record certificate from the relevant authority. If you’re unable to meet this requirement, an explanation is necessary.

Visa Duration and Rights
The Skilled Worker visa is granted for a maximum of 5 years and 2 weeks. While on this visa, you are allowed to:

• Study (subject to ATAS conditions)
• Volunteer
• Work out a contractual notice period
• Supplement your employment as long as it’s within your sponsored role.

However, the visa does not allow you to access public funds or change employers.

Settlement Eligibility
After 5 years on the Skilled Worker visa, you may be eligible to apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) if you meet the following criteria:

1. You are in the UK at the time of the application.
2. You complete the correct online application form for settlement (‘Settle in the UK in various immigration categories: form SET(O)’).
3. You have paid the appropriate application fee.
4. You have provided the required biometrics.
5. You submit a valid passport or other travel document.
6. You have no issues under Part 9: grounds for refusal.
7. You are in compliance with immigration rules and not on immigration bail.
8. You have passed the Life in the UK test.
9. Your sponsor is still approved by the Home Office and confirms they require you to continue working for them.
10. Your salary meets the required thresholds.