UK Skilled Worker Visa: Expert Legal Guidance from London Immigration Lawyers

The UK Skilled Worker Visa is a cornerstone of the United Kingdom’s immigration system, designed to attract global talent and allow qualified individuals to contribute to the UK’s dynamic economy. Whether you are an aspiring professional seeking career advancement in the UK or a UK employer aiming to hire skilled international talent, understanding this visa’s process and requirements is paramount. At Conroy Baker Ltd., our dedicated UK Skilled Worker Visa immigration lawyer in London team specializes in providing end-to-end guidance for your entire Skilled Worker Visa journey, from initial entry clearance to eventual settlement. We ensure your application is seamless and stress-free.

The UK Skilled Worker Visa remains the most popular work visa route, accounting for a significant portion of work visas granted in 2024. This visa offers a robust pathway for individuals with the right skills, qualifications, and a confirmed job offer from a licensed UK employer to live and work in the UK. For employers seeking to sponsor international talent, detailed guidance is available on our UK Sponsor Licence page.

Entrepreneurs planning to establish a new UK business or already owning an existing UK company may also qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa through self-sponsorship, where their own UK company acts as their sponsor.

The UK Skilled Worker Visa offers compelling advantages for both individuals and businesses:

Applicants can work in a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, IT, engineering, teaching, and many more, provided their role meets the specific eligibility criteria.

Visa holders have the invaluable right to bring their spouse or partner and dependent children to the UK. Dependants are typically allowed to work without any additional authorizations.

This visa provides a direct and clear route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after a continuous period of five years in the UK.

You can extend your visa as needed to continue working and living in the UK, provided you still meet the eligibility requirements.

When applications are meticulously prepared and correctly handled, they generally have a high success rate under the points-based immigration system.

Skilled Worker Visa holders are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week in a secondary job, or even operate their own business, provided they continue to fulfill the duties of the job for which they are sponsored.

To qualify for a UK Skilled Worker Visa, you must satisfy specific Home Office requirements. Our UK Skilled Worker Visa immigration lawyer in London team ensures your application meets all criteria, significantly enhancing your chances of success.

You must possess a genuine and confirmed job offer from a licensed UK employer that holds a valid sponsor licence.

• You must be paid at least the minimum salary rate, which is the higher of:
  • £38,700 per year, or
  • The ‘going rate’ for your specific type of work (each occupation code has its own going rate).
  • Note on Lower Thresholds: You may still qualify even if your salary is below the standard threshold of £38,700 or your job’s specific ‘going rate’ in certain circumstances. This applies if your annual salary is at least £30,960 and you are under 26 years old, a recent graduate, currently studying, in professional training, or hold a PhD (especially in STEM fields relevant to your job).

You must demonstrate your English language proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

Your job must be in an eligible occupation code, as per the Home Office’s official list.

Your employer must issue you a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.

You must provide a Police Clearance Certificate from relevant countries if required based on your residency history.

You must provide a TB test certificate if you are applying from a country where it is required.

Applying for a UK Skilled Worker Visa from outside the UK requires obtaining entry clearance. This is the first step for overseas applicants, and ensuring accuracy and compliance is critical. Our UK Skilled Worker Visa immigration lawyer in London team provides end-to-end support for a seamless application process:

The process begins by accurately filling out the Skilled Worker Visa application form on the official UK government website. We guide you through providing all personal details, employment information, and details of your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

You will be prompted to pay the mandatory visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for each year of your visa.

After online submission and payment, you will book an appointment at a Visa Facilitation Centre (VFS). You can upload all supporting documents via the VFS portal in advance or have them scanned at the center.

Valid passport, Certificate of Sponsorship reference number, English language proficiency proof, financial support evidence (unless exempt), Police Clearance Certificate (if required), and Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate (if applicable).

On your appointment day, visit the selected VFS to complete the biometrics process (fingerprints and photograph).

Once your biometrics are submitted, your application is forwarded to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for processing.

Standard processing times are typically three weeks for entry clearance applications. Priority or super-priority services may be available for faster processing at an additional cost.

The outcome will be sent via email, or you may be asked to collect your documents from the VFS.

The UK Skilled Worker Visa is generally granted for a period matching your Certificate of Sponsorship, up to a maximum of five years. You can extend your visa so long as your sponsor extends their visa or you switch to another eligible route that allows for an extension.

After a continuous period of five years residing in the UK on the Skilled Worker route, you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). With ILR, you gain significant rights, including the ability to: work in the UK without visa restrictions, start and run a business, study at any level, access public services like healthcare and schools, and apply for public funds, benefits, and pensions (if eligible). You can also apply for British citizenship after 12 months in most cases, following ILR. Our UK Skilled Worker Visa immigration lawyer in London team provides comprehensive support for both extensions and ILR applications.

If you are already in the UK on a different visa type, you may be eligible to switch to a Skilled Worker Visa. This is a complex process with specific requirements. You must meet the job eligibility criteria, demonstrate English proficiency, and for Student Visa holders, meet additional conditions such as completing your course or studying for a PhD for at least 24 months.

You are generally not eligible to switch to a Skilled Worker Visa if you are currently in the UK on one of the following visas or conditions: Visit visa, Short-term student visa, Parent of a Child Student visa, Seasonal Worker visa, Immigration bail, Domestic Worker visa, or Permission to stay outside immigration rules. If you fall into one of these categories, you must typically leave the UK and apply from overseas.

UK Skilled Worker Dependant Visa holders can bring their family members to the UK under the dependant Visa category. Your spouse or partner and children (under 18, or over 18 if previously dependent) may be eligible to join you or remain in the UK as your dependants. Each family member must submit a separate application. Their visa will typically end on the same date as yours. Note that dependants of Care Workers and Senior Care Workers may face specific restrictions unless certain conditions apply (e.g., if the main worker was employed in this role before 11 March 2024). Our UK Skilled Worker Visa immigration lawyer in London team also specializes in these dependant applications.

The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is central to your UK Skilled Worker Visa application. It is crucial to ascertain its authenticity. You can verify the CoS number on your visa application form. Cross-check the job title, occupation code, salary, and other terms listed on the CoS with your job offer. For ultimate assurance, reach out to your sponsor directly to confirm its validity. Our immigration experts can also assist you in ascertaining if the CoS is genuine, protecting you from potential issues.

Securing a UK Skilled Worker Visa demands a comprehensive understanding of evolving immigration rules, particularly regarding salary thresholds, eligible occupations, and sponsorship duties. Errors in documentation or strategy are among the top reasons for refusal, alongside salary threshold errors and providing incorrect information.

As Top UK Immigration & Business Advisors in the UK, Conroy Baker Ltd. offers a holistic and client-focused approach, combining unparalleled expertise to deliver outstanding immigration solutions. Your UK Career Pathway. Expertly Guided.

Our comprehensive services for UK Skilled Worker Visa applications include:

Comprehensive assessment of your qualifications, job offer, and salary against all Skilled Worker Visa criteria, including occupation codes and exceptions.

Guiding you in compiling essential documents, including your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), English language proof, financial evidence, passport, and TB test reports.

Ensuring all online forms are correctly completed and submitted, minimizing potential errors and processing delays.

Regular monitoring of your application status and handling Home Office queries on your behalf.

Providing expert assistance if your application is refused, helping you understand the reasons and charting a way forward.

Comprehensive guidance for extending your Skilled Worker Visa.

Expert advice and assistance for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications.

Support for your family members to join you in the UK.

We are committed to making your UK career aspirations a reality.