Aiming to address skill gaps, the UK Skilled Worker visa expedites immigration for talented overseas professionals in high-demand fields. By eliminating the labor market test, which usually checks for resident availability, the visa offers a faster path to secure a job offer. This visa grants a stay of up to five years, potentially renewable, and even serves as a stepping stone towards permanent residence in the UK.

The UK Skilled Worker visa has several key requirements:

• Sponsorship: You’ll need a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by a licensed UK employer. This electronic record details your job offer, salary, and contract length.
• Salary Threshold: Your offered salary must meet the minimum requirement for your specific job role. You can find current salary details on the government website.
• English Proficiency: You must demonstrate English language ability at a B1 level on the CEFR. This can be proven through a qualifying test, being a national of a majority English-speaking country, or holding a degree taught in English.
• Financial Maintenance: You’ll need to show £945 in savings held for at least 90 days before applying. Alternatively, your sponsor can act as a guarantor, which will be noted on your CoS.

Length of Stay
The Skilled Worker visa is granted for the length of your contract, plus an additional month, as stated by your sponsor on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This period however cannot exceed a maximum of five years. There is also the possibility of extending your visa within the Skilled Worker route, allowing you to stay in the UK for a total maximum of six years.

Family Members
This visa offers an advantage for your family as well. You can include your partner and children under 18 on your application. They’ll receive a visa valid for the same duration as yours and will be authorized to work or even start their own businesses in the UK.

Settlement –(ILR)
The Skilled Worker visa goes beyond just temporary work authorization. After five years of continuous residence with a valid visa, holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement. This paves the way for permanent residence in the UK. However, to qualify for ILR, you’ll need to show you’re still employed in a skilled role and sponsored by a licensed employer. This requirement ensures a smooth transition and continued contribution to the UK workforce.

What you can do:

• Work in your sponsored role: The visa is tied to a specific skilled job offer.
• Continue your education: You’re allowed to pursue further studies in the UK.
• Bring your family: Eligible dependants, including your partner and children under 18, can join you with their own visas.
• Take on extra work: Under specific circumstances, you can hold a second job or do voluntary work.
• Travel freely: You can leave and return to the UK as long as your visa remains valid.
• Apply for permanent residence: After meeting the five-year residency requirement and other criteria, you can apply for settlement (ILR).

What you cannot do:

• Rely on most state benefits: The visa generally doesn’t qualify you for public financial assistance or the State Pension.
• Change jobs freely: Switching employers typically requires a new visa application to update your sponsorship.

Please contact us at contact@aaraflawy.co.uk and one of our UK immigration lawyer shall call you back. Alternatively you can call us on 0203 442 0292 .