Skilled Worker Visa

What are the job eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa?

 

The main qualifying criteria below must be met to be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa:

 

  • The employer is an approved sponsor licence holder 
  • The job is on the list of eligible occupations or at an appropriate skill level 
  • The applicant must be issued with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) by the employer with information on the job offered 
  • The employer must pay the applicant a minimum salary or ‘going rate’ for the type of job role offered. The current minimum salary is £38,700. 

 

The applicant must also score 70 points in total to qualify for the Skilled Worker route. These are made up of mandatory and “tradeable” points. In addition to the 50 mandatory points, an applicant must score a further 20 mandatory points under the “tradeable” section which contains six options of A to F. 

 

The MANDATORY 50 points are:

20 points – sponsorship by an approved sponsor

20 points – job at an appropriate skill level 

10 points – English language skill (B1 level CEFR)

 

The “tradeable” points can be found in the six options of A to F below:

All jobs are classified using a Standard Occupation Code (SOC) and this code ascertain the ‘going rate’ or minimum salary required for the job role. 

 

20 points will be awarded here for salary alone if the applicant meets the criteria listed in Option A for instance, and there is no need to consider other tradeable points options. If the applicant’s salary is less than the current stipulated amount (£38,700 per annum or at least £10.75 per hour or the going rate for the SOC) then there is a need to score the required 20 points by ‘trading points’ for other attributes or characteristic under option B to F. 

  • Option A – 20 points (salary alone)
  • Option B – 20 points (salary and relevant PhD qualification)
  • Option C – 20 points (salary and relevant STEM PhD qualification)
  • Option D – 20 points (salary and in a job shortage occupation)
  • Option E – 20 points (salary and applicant is a new entrant)
  • Option F – 20 points (salary and a job in a listed health or education occupation)
Key Contact:

Steph Revelle

Director

Steph Revelle

Hi everyone, and welcome. I’m the Founder and Director of Your Immigration Solutions. Whether you’re an individual or a corporate company, I’m here to help you with your entire visa application process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an eligible occupation? Cross Icon

In order to determine if the job is eligible under the Skilled Worker route, the sponsor or employer will need to identify the relevant SOC (a 4-digit occupation code) for the position. The job description for the SOC must match the job role offered and this can be checked through the ONS Occupation tool. 

What is the salary requirement for a Skilled Worker? Cross Icon

Skilled Worker visa has a current salary requirement of £38,700 per annum. Employers intending to hire under this 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, whichever is higher. 

 

In some cases, applicants can still use the Skilled Worker route if they are being paid less than the thresholds above mentioned. This can be achieved by ‘trading points’ for other attributes to satisfy the minimum 70 points qualification of a Skilled Worker visa. Following are some scenarios with lower salary payment:

  • Immigration Salary list – an applicant may be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both the general salary of £30,960 per annum and 80% of the going rate under the relevant SOC.
  • New entrant – an applicant may be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both £30,960 per annum and 70% of the going rate under the relevant SOC.
  • PhD qualification – an applicant may be paid an annual salary which equals or exceeds both £34,830 and 90% of the going rate for the relevant SOC.

What is the English Language requirement? Cross Icon

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, the applicant must also satisfy the English language requirements unless the applicant is from a majority English speaking country. The applicant must be able to demonstrate skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening in English to a minimum B1 level CEFR scale. 

 

This can be satisfied by any of the following:

  • Have passed a Secure English Language Test (SELT)
  • Have obtained a GCSE or A-Level or Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5 or Scottish Higher or Advances Higher in English while at school in the UK
  • Have a degree level qualification taught in English
  • Have already met the minimum level B1 as part of a previous UK immigration application that was successful 
  • Have already proven knowledge of English that was accepted by a regulated professional body (doctor, dentist, nurse, midwife etc)

What is the financial requirement? Cross Icon

The applicant must be able to demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves in the UK. This can be met by providing bank statements with the amount of at least £1,270. Also, these funds must have been available for at least 28 consecutive days prior to the application. Additional funds will be required if there are also dependants applying (partner £285, first dependent child £315 and any additional child dependent £200 each). However, the applicant is exempted from the above requirement if the following applies:

 

  • A-rated sponsor has ‘certified maintenance’ on the Certificate of Sponsorship
  • The applicant has lived in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months 

What documents or information do I need to provide for a Skilled Worker visa application? Cross Icon

  • A valid passport
  • A valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by your sponsor
  • Evidence of English language proficiency (nationality from English speaking country- not required or pass minimum B1 level English test from an approved English Language provider or an accepted English Language degree)
  • Evidence of meeting maintenance requirement (can be provided using savings or an undertaking by your sponsor)
  • TB test (if required)
  • Criminal record certificate (only for specific route and if required)
  • ATAS certificate (if required)

What are the costs for a Skilled Worker application? Cross Icon

The visa application fees vary depending on whether the applicant is applying from inside or outside the UK and the duration of the visa. 

 

Applying from inside the UK:

Up to 3 years – £827

Over 3 years – £1,500

 

Applying from outside the UK:

Up to 3 years – £719

Over 3 years – £1,420

 

For jobs on the Shortage Occupation list (up to 3 years is £551 and over 3 years is £1,084) or Health and Care visa (up to 3 years is £284 and over 3 years is £551), the application fees are lower, and the fees are the same for inside and outside UK application. The only difference is the duration of the visa where the amount varies based on up to 3 years or over 3 years and the type of visa. 

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – the applicant is required to pay health surcharge for each year of visa applied to use the National Health System (NHS) in the UK. This costs £1035 per year currently.

How long is a Skilled Worker visa valid for? Cross Icon

The validity period depends on the applicant’s employment contract. The maximum period this visa can be issued is 5 years and the applicant can be granted this period in a single application. Extension of this visa is possible from inside the UK with the issuance of a new CoS. For example, the employer wishes to continue sponsoring the applicant in the same or different role who was initially only granted a 2-year fixed contract.

Can my family members join me under the Skilled Worker route? Cross Icon

Dependents which include spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners (must have lived together for at least 2 years) and children under 18 on the date of application can apply to join the main Skilled Worker applicant to the UK. This route leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement) in the UK. 

 

Generally, the period of leave granted to PBS Dependent family members will be in line with the period remaining (up to the expiry date) with that of the PBS visa holder or main applicant on the visa. The only exception to this is when the main applicant has already been granted settlement – in this case, the dependent family members will be granted a 3-year period instead. An application for further leave to remain may be made to take the PBS dependent to the applicable qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain provided the eligibility for ILR as a dependant partner or child is met. 

 

Dependents who are already in the UK on some form of permitted immigration leave are allowed to switch to another visa category when making an application within the UK.

Can I switch to a Skilled Worker visa from another visa category? Cross Icon

There is a possibility to switch to a Skilled Worker visa if you are currently in the UK on another visa category. However, you cannot switch to a Skilled Worker visa if you hold one of the following visas:

 

  • Visitor visa
  • Short-term student visa
  • Parent of a Child Student visa
  • Seasonal worker visa
  • Domestic worker in a private household visa 
  • On immigration bail
  • Leave to remain outside of the Immigration rules

Can I change job or employer in a Skilled Worker visa? Cross Icon

You can move on to another employer provided the company is a licensed sponsor holder and your job meets the appropriate skill level and minimum salary threshold. You will need to update your Skilled Worker visa in terms of a new job code or CoS for instance.

Can I study as a Skilled Worker? Cross Icon

As a Skilled Worker, you are permitted to study with no time restriction and provided it does not interfere with your current job role. There may be a need to provide Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) for the course of study if it falls under the requirement. 

What happens if my Skilled Worker visa is refused? Cross Icon

If your Skilled Worker visa is refused, you have the following options:

 

  • Administrative review 
  • Judicial review
  • Submit a new application 

 

You will have a limited period to apply for an administrative review of the decision when you receive a notice of refusal on your application. You have 14 days time limit if you applied inside the UK, and 28 days to file the request if you applied outside the UK. 

 

Generally the Home Office will respond to your request within 28 days with an outcome. If the outcome is not to your satisfaction, you may have the option to file for a pre-action protocol for judicial review. You may qualify for a judicial review request if you are unsatisfied with this decision. 

The most common problems associated with a Skilled Worker visa being refused relate to:

 

  • Failure to complete the form properly
  • Failure in meeting the salary requirement
  • Failure to demonstrate the correct English proficiency level with the appropriate provider
  • Failure in providing a valid CoS
  • Failure to supply relevant supporting documents or information.