The UK Skilled Worker visa, previously known as the UK Tier 2 visa, allows non-UK citizens to live and work in the UK for a specified period.
The Skilled Worker visa is the primary route for individuals from other countries to work in the UK in certain skilled occupations.
It replaced the old Tier 2 (General) visa. UK employers can now hire individuals from other countries for roles that require specific skills and pay a set minimum salary.
To apply, the applicant must have a job offer from a UK company that has permission (a sponsor license) to hire workers from outside the UK.
The company must also follow certain rules set by the UK government. You can check eligible occupations, job code, and sponsor list on the official site
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Key Takeaways
- Get sponsored by an approved UK employer.
- Minimum salary is £41,700 per year.
- Score 70 points on the eligibility criteria.
- Bring dependents and apply for residency after 5 years.
Key Requirements to Apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa
To apply for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, you must meet several important conditions:
- A job offer from a UK company that is approved by the Home Office to hire overseas workers.
- The job must be on the official list of eligible roles.
- Most jobs need to be at RQF Level 6 (similar to a university graduate level). Some jobs at lower levels (RQF 3–5) can still qualify if they are on the Immigration Salary List (ISL). However, this is a temporary rule.
- A minimum salary of £41,700 per year or £17.13 per hour, based on a maximum of 48 hours/week.
- Lower salary thresholds may apply to new graduates (new entrants) and jobs on the Immigration Salary List.
- English language skills.
- Should score 70 points to qualify based on the required criteria.
Documents You Must Provide to Apply for a UK Tier 2 visa
You must provide the following documents for your UK Tier 2 visa:
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer
- Valid passport
- Proof of job role and salary
- Proof of English language ability
- Tuberculosis (TB) test result (if required)
- Criminal record certificate (for certain jobs)
- Proof of savings (if your employer is not covering your costs)
UK Tier 2 Visa – Step-by-Step Visa Application Process
The following are the steps to apply for the UK Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) visa:
- Check eligibility, such as having a confirmed job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor license.
- Obtain Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer that contains key details such as your job title, salary, and start date.
- Choose how to apply. You can apply online from your home country or within the UK if you are switching or extending a visa.
- Complete the application form on the official UK government website and upload the required documents.
- Pay the visa fees, which may vary based on your job type, duration of stay, and where you apply from.
- You may need to provide your biometrics.
- Wait for a decision, which will typically take around 3 weeks if you are applying from outside the UK, or 8 weeks if you are applying from inside the UK.
What You Can Do with the UK Tier 2 Visa Or Skilled Worker Visa
With this visa, you are permitted to:
- Work in the job you are approved for
- Study while living in the UK
- Take on additional work in certain situations
- Bring your partner and children with you as dependants
- Apply to live permanently in the UK after 5 years, if you meet the requirements
- Travel outside the UK and come back without issues
- Volunteer without pay for charities or approved organizations
What You Can’t Do with the UK Tier 2 Visa?
There are some things you cannot do with this visa, including:
- Claim most public benefits or the State Pension
- Change your job or employer unless you update your visa accordingly
Conclusion
The UK Tier 2 visa is a great opportunity for skilled professionals who want to build their careers in the UK. It allows you to work, live, and even bring your family with you while gaining valuable international experience.
FAQs
You can stay in the UK on a Tier 2 visa for up to 5 years. If you want to stay longer, you need to extend your visa before it expires. If you change jobs or your employer, you must update your visa too.
Yes, you can keep extending your visa if you still meet the rules. After 5 years, you may be able to apply to live in the UK permanently (called ‘indefinite leave to remain’).
You must apply online. How you apply depends on whether you are:
1. Outside the UK and coming to work here
2. Inside the UK and extending your visa
3. Inside the UK and switching from another visa
If you change jobs or employers, you must update your visa application.
Yes, your partner and children may apply to come with you or stay with you as your ‘dependants’.
You can apply for the visa up to 3 months before your job start date, as shown on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
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