Updated March 2023
The Skilled Worker visa is for highly skilled individuals with relevant experience and knowledge within a particular field. Skilled workers must have a job offer from a UK-registered sponsor to fill a genuine position in a company.
Any UK company that is hiring workers from outside the UK including EEA nationals (unless they are eligible for EU pre-settled or settled status) will need to have a sponsor licence in order to do so. This means that they are a Home Office-approved employer.
At The Nathanson Partnership, we understand that applying to live and work in the UK is a big move and can be a little stressful, with many factors to consider. We can provide people with the peace of mind that their visa applications are in safe hands as we help many of our clients secure Skilled Worker visas.
What Counts as a Skilled Worker?
A skilled worker is someone who works in a role on the Home Office list of occupations. The list outlines all the job types and related job titles that qualify for a Skilled Worker visa. There are a large number of varied roles on the list from chemical scientists, to IT specialists and psychologists. A quick way to check if your job is eligible is to go to the ONS occupation coding tool and search for your role.
Who Is Eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa?
Individuals will need to meet the following criteria to be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa:
- The job must be an approved role that is on the Home Office list of skilled worker occupations and you must be paid the minimum salary for the role.
- Your UK sponsor must issue you with a certificate of sponsorship which confirms that you have a job offer and are allowed to work in the UK.
- You must achieve a minimum level of B1 CEFR.
- To meet the financial requirement, you will need to show that you have maintained at least £1270 in your bank account for at least 28 days.
Who Is a UK Sponsor?
A UK sponsor is a company that has a UK sponsor licence. You can find out whether your employer has a sponsor licence by checking the register of licensed sponsors.
How Long Can I Stay in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa?
You can stay in the UK for up to 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa, after this, you will need to extend your stay. But you can do this as many times as you want providing you still meet the eligibility criteria.
Does the Skilled Worker Visa Lead To ILR?
Yes, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settlement when you have lived and worked in the UK for 5 years continuously. You must satisfy certain conditions including that you are still working and needed for your job and you are being paid the minimum salary for the role.
You must not have spent more than 180 days in any 12-month period outside of the UK in the last 5 years and you will need to pass the Life in the UK Test.
When Should I Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa?
Once you have been assigned a certificate of sponsorship by your UK sponsor, you will need to submit an application for the visa within 3 months. All applications can be made up to 3 months before your start date. This can be found on your certificate of sponsorship.
How Can The Nathanson Partnership Help You?
At The Nathanson Partnership, we can help you apply for your Skilled Worker visa. The most important first step is to receive a job offer from a UK-registered sponsor.
We provide a full Skilled Worker visa service whereby we advise on how you can meet the requirements and which documents you will need to satisfy the Home Office standards.
Please contact us for a free initial assessment with our qualified and experienced UK immigration advisors.
Contact Our Expert Skilled Worker Visa Immigration Professionals
The Nathanson Partnership is made up of regulated immigration professionals providing immigration advice that is accurate and reliable. We are fully accredited by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) which means that we must adhere to high-quality immigration service standards.
We are proud to represent a range of clients and truly thrive on helping them gain successful applications. We pride ourselves on giving clear, transparent, and practical advice as we understand that the UK immigration system can be confusing. Our immigration experts have years of experience and are therefore well-versed when it comes to interpreting the immigration rules.
If you need assistance with your Skilled Worker visa application, our team of specialists are keen to help you.
Please contact us today on 020 3476 9523 or email us at [email protected]