Skilled Worker Visa

A Skilled Worker visa (previously known as Tier 2) allows you to come to or stay in the UK for an eligible job with an approved employer with a sponsorship licence. This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa, however, you can combine the old Tier 2 (General) and new skilled worker towards 5 or 10 years settlement / Indefinite Leave to Remain. Applicants on the old Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) may also be eligible to switch to the new skilled visa providing they have a job offer.

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:

– work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office ( Hurlingham Law can assist in attaining a sponsorship licence)

– have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ detailing the job salary, description and length. This is a digital certificate only

– have a job must be on the list of eligible occupations as per Home Office guidelines

– a minimum salary according to the type of job offered

– proof of knowledge of English

Visa Length:

Your visa can last 5 years after which you can apply for settlement if you qualify. We specialise in representation for settlement (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain‘) followed by naturalisation a year later. You can combine the skilled worker visa with tier 2 (general) when applying for settlement ( check rules surrounding ‘continuous residence’).

If you’re a doctor or nurse, or you work in health or adult social care, check if you’re eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa.

As with the previous tier 2 work permit, you cannot do the following:

– apply for most benefits or the State Pension

– change jobs or employer unless you apply to update your visa (in other words get a new sponsorship with your new proposed employer, as ever Hurlingham Law can assist with any legal aspects of the switch.

You must also be paid at least either:

• the minimum ‘standard’ salary rate for the type of work you’ll be doing
• the minimum ‘lower’ salary rate if you got your certificate of sponsorship (CoS) before 4 April 2024

The minimum ‘standard’ salary for the type of work you’ll be doing is whichever is the higher of:

• £38,700 per year
• the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing

If your employer does not do this, your application will be refused.

Hurlingham Law offer an initial phone or online consultation to discuss your licence and / or skilled worker visa eligibility.

Contact us today to see how we can assist.