Skilled Worker Visa

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  1. What is a Skilled Worker visa?
  2. What are the eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker visa?
  3. How do I apply for a Skilled Worker visa?
  4. How much does a Skilled Worker Visa cost?
  5. How long can I stay in the UK with a Skilled Worker visa?
  6. How long will it take to receive a decision on Skilled Worker Visa application?
  7. How do I find out if my job is eligible for this visa?
  8. What is the minimum salary or the going rate for my job?
  9. What are the exceptions with the salary requirement for a Skilled Worker visa?
  10. What is the minimum English language requirement for a Skilled Worker visa?
  11. What are the criteria for being paid less than the usual going rate for a Skilled Worker visa?
  12. What are the benefits of having a job in a shortage occupation?
  13. What are the benefits of being under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training for a Skilled Worker Visa?
  14. What are the benefits of having a relevant PhD level qualification for a Skilled Worker Visa?
  15. What are the benefits of having a postdoctoral position in science or higher education for Skilled Worker Visa?
  16. Which nationalities do not need to prove their knowledge of English when they apply for a Skilled Worker visa?
  17. Are Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, Midwives and Vets exempt from proving their Knowledge of English for Skilled worker visa?
  18. What are some other documents I might need depending on my circumstances?
  19. When do I need to provide a criminal record certificate for a Skilled Worker Visa?
  20. How do I check if I’m eligible for a Skilled Worker visa?
  21. Who can apply to extend a Skilled Worker visa or a Tier 2 (General) work visa?
  22. What are the eligibility requirements for extending your visa?
  23. How much does it cost to extend your visa?
  24. How long does it take to get a decision on your application?
  25. Who cannot apply to switch to Skilled Worker Visa?
  26. Can I travel outside the UK while my application is pending with a Skilled Worker Visa?
  27. Will my dependants’ visas automatically switch?
  28. Can I travel outside the UK while my application is pending with a Skilled Worker Visa?
  29. Can I do voluntary work on Skilled Worker Visa?
  30. Am I allowed to work another job while being sponsored?
  31. Can you appeal a refused Skilled Worker Visa?
  32. How can Morgan Smith Immigration help me?

What is a Skilled Worker visa?

A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. The skilled worker visa, which replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa.

What are the eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker visa?

You must have a confirmed job offer, a certificate of sponsorship, an appropriate salary, and enough money to support yourself. You must also prove your knowledge of English and meet the skill level for your job.

How do I apply for a Skilled Worker visa?

You must apply online and provide your identity and documents. You may need to attend an appointment to do this. You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks, but you may be able to pay to get a faster decision. You, your partner and children will also need to pay the visa fee and the immigration health surcharge.

How much does a Skilled Worker Visa cost?

The visa cost can vary depending on where you are submitting your application. If you are applying from within the UK there are different set of fees compared to applying from outside the UK. There are other fees associated with the Skilled Worker Visa such as the Certificate of Sponsorship Cost, the Immigration Health Surcharge and Premium or Priority route fees to Fastrack the application. To learn more about fees click here

How long can I stay in the UK with a Skilled Worker visa?

You can stay for up to 5 years before you need to extend or update your visa. You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like. After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK.

How long will it take to receive a decision on Skilled Worker Visa application?

The Home Office usually takes about 3 weeks to decide on applications from outside the UK. Applicants who live in the U.K. may have to wait for up to 8 weeks. Applicants who use the priority service can get a decision within 5 working days after their appointment at the visa application centre.

How do I find out if my job is eligible for this visa?

You need to know your 4-digit occupation code, which you can get from your employer. Then you can check the table of eligible jobs to see if your code is included. Contact our Lawyers who can review your case and offer further advice on your eligibility.

What is the minimum salary or the going rate for my job?

The minimum salary is usually £26,200 per year or £10.75 per hour, whichever is higher (Subject to Change). The going rate is the average salary for your job in the UK, which varies by occupation code. You can check the going rate for your job in the going rates table. Some healthcare or education jobs have different salary rules based on national pay scales.

Get the best Immigration advice on how to apply for a Skilled Worker visa?

Morgan Smith Immigration have successfully delivered Skilled Worker Visa to numerous happy Clients. We review each case on an individual basis and tailor our immigration advice per case. Request a Call back by filling in the form below for quick assessment of your case.

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What are the exceptions with the salary requirement for a Skilled Worker visa?

There are some exceptions where you can be paid less, such as if your job is in a shortage occupation, you have a relevant PhD, or you are under 26 or in professional training.(Subject to Change in April 2024)

What is the minimum English language requirement for a Skilled Worker visa?

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the CEFR scale. You can do this by having a GCSE, A level, or other equivalent qualification in English, or having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English and confirmed by Ecctis (formerly known as UK NARIC)

What are the criteria for being paid less than the usual going rate for a Skilled Worker visa?

You can be paid less if your job is in a shortage occupation, you’re under 26 or a recent graduate, you have a relevant PhD level qualification, or you have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education. (Subject to Change in April 2024)

What are the benefits of having a job in a shortage occupation?

You can be paid 80% of the usual going rate and pay a lower fee for your visa. (Subject to Change in April 2024)

What are the benefits of being under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training for a Skilled Worker Visa?

 You can be paid 70% of the usual going rate, as long as you meet one of the specified conditions.(Subject to Change in April 2024)

What are the benefits of having a relevant PhD level qualification for a Skilled Worker Visa?

You can be paid 80% or 90% of the usual going rate, depending on the subject of your qualification and the minimum salary requirement. (Subject to Change in April 2024)

What are the benefits of having a postdoctoral position in science or higher education for Skilled Worker Visa?

You can be paid 70% of the usual going rate, if your job is in one of the listed occupation codes.

Which nationalities do not need to prove their knowledge of English when they apply for a Skilled Worker visa?

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are a national of one of the following countries or territories: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, USA.

Are Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, Midwives and Vets exempt from proving their Knowledge of English for Skilled worker visa?

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you have already passed an English Language assessment that is accepted by the relevant regulated professional body for your profession. For example, if you are a vet, you may need to prove that you passed an English Language assessment with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

What are some other documents I might need depending on my circumstances?

You might also need to provide evidence of personal savings, proof of your relationship with your partner or children, tuberculosis test results, a criminal record certificate, an ATAS certificate, or a UK PhD certificate or Ecctis reference number.

When do I need to provide a criminal record certificate for a Skilled Worker Visa?

You need to provide a criminal record certificate if you’re applying from outside the UK and you work in education, healthcare, therapy, or social services.

How do I check if I’m eligible for a Skilled Worker visa?

Contact Morgan Smith Immigration Lawyers to review your Employers profile and assess your eligibility and suitability criteria. It is important the correct Job title is used to match the applicants skillset. While the employers must make sure the role they are sponsoring on is part of a genuine vacancy.

Start your UK Skilled Worker Visa application today?

Applying for a UK Skilled worker Visa can be worrying If you have any questions or need assistance with your Skilled Worker Visa application our team of Lawyers will be happy to advise you further.

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Who can apply to extend a Skilled Worker visa or a Tier 2 (General) work visa?

  • You can apply to extend your visa if you have the same job, the same occupation code, and the same employer as when you got your previous visa.
  • Your partner or child can also apply to extend their visa, but not automatically. They can apply at the same time as you or before their current visa expires.

What are the eligibility requirements for extending your visa?

  • The eligibility requirements depend on when you got your first Tier 2 visa and when you apply to extend it.
  • You may need to meet different minimum salary requirements, which are fixed at a lower rate until 24 May 2023 and may include allowances until 1 December 2026.
  • You may also need to meet different going rates for your job, which are different for some jobs under the Skilled Worker visa.
  • You cannot extend your visa if you need to change something in your job or employer. You need to apply to update your visa instead.

How much does it cost to extend your visa?

  • The cost depends on the type of visa you have and how you apply. You can check the fees Click Here.
  • When applying overseas you need to pay to have your biometric information taken. But for an extension inside the country there is no fee for this.

How long does it take to get a decision on your application?

  • You will usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.
  • Your application may take longer if there are issues with your personal circumstances or documents.
  • You may be able to pay to get a faster decision if you are eligible.

Who cannot apply to switch to Skilled Worker Visa?

You cannot switch to Skilled Worker visa if you are currently in the UK on any of the following visas:

  • a visit visa
  • a short-term student visa
  • a Parent of a Child Student visa
  • a seasonal worker visa
  • a domestic worker in a private household visa
  • on immigration bail
  • because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

Can I travel outside the UK while my application is pending with a Skilled Worker Visa?

No, you must stay within the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until a decision is made.

Will my dependants’ visas automatically switch?

 No, they must apply separately before their current visa expires.

Can I travel outside the UK while my application is pending with a Skilled Worker Visa?

No, you must stay within the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until a decision is made.

Can I do voluntary work on Skilled Worker Visa?

Yes, you can engage in unpaid voluntary work.

Am I allowed to work another job while being sponsored?

You can work up to 20 hours a week in a job that’s in the same occupation code and at the same level as your sponsored job. (subject to change in April 2024)

Can you appeal a refused Skilled Worker Visa?

No, you have the right to request an Admin Review within 14 day from the date of the outcome.

How can Morgan Smith Immigration help me?

We assist companies with their Licence, the Certificate of Sponsorships and the Worker permits. Click on the link below to request a Call back to discuss options on the type of service you need. Our Lawyers will provide you with an extensive advice and go draft an application plan that is affordable but will deliver results.

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