What is a skilled worker visa?

This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. 

The UK Skilled Worker visa was introduced to bring in highly skilled overseas workers into the UK labour market and subsequently take up permanent residence in the UK.

With this visa, skilled workers from other countries can be selected based on the shortage occupation list and they will be eligible to get an offer letter without the labour market test and stay in the UK for up to 5 years

Applications for the Tier 2 Skilled Worker route are available to individuals in the following categories:

• European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who arrived in the UK after 11 pm on 31 December 2020
• Nationals from outside the EEA who apply for entry clearance or permission to stay on or after 1 December 2020

For the purposes of the above, EEA nationals do not include Irish citizens, who do not need to apply for a visa or apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if they wish to come to and work in the UK.

Being a holder of this successor to the Tier 2 visa entitles you to do the following:

• Work in an eligible job
• Study
• Bring your ‘dependant’ partner and children with you to the UK, subject to them meeting the eligibility requirements
• Take on additional work in certain circumstances
• Undertake voluntary work
• Travel outside and return to the UK
• Apply to settle in the UK Permanently (a status also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you have spent at least five years living in the UK and meet the other eligibility requirements

Eligibility

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:

• work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office
• have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK
• do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
• be paid a minimum salary – how much depends on the type of work you do

Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You’ll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employers.

Whatever your intentions and aspirations in relation to this visa route. e-lhr consultants are always available to take your enquiries.