Why apply for UK Skilled Worker Visa?
- The fifth-strongest economy in the world
- Top universities in the world with high QS rankings
- Free healthcare for permanent residents
- High quality of living
- 1.3 million job vacancies
UK Skilled Worker Visa
The UK Skilled Worker visa was introduced to bring in highly skilled overseas workers into the UK labor 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 labor market test and stay in the UK for up to 5 years.
Benefits of the UK Skilled Worker Visa:
- Visa holders can bring dependents on the visa
- Spouse is allowed to work on the visa
- No cap on the number of people who can move to the UK on the visa
- Minimum salary requirement has been reduced to £25600 from threshold of £30000
- Fast Track Visas will be provided for healthcare professionals like doctors and nurses
Outlook of UK immigration plan
In this year, there will be major opportunities for UK immigration. The country plans new routes such as Global Business Mobility and Scale-up. It will introduce new visa categories and consolidate or modify some existing offerings. The new High Potential Individual visa would provide user-friendly access.
- High Potential Individual route: It is a visa for students who have graduated from a top global university. It allows them to enter the UK without a job offer and work without restrictions, offering them the possibility to settle in the country if they meet certain criteria.
- Scale-up route: It is a visa for talented candidates having a job offer from a qualified scale-up.
Simplifying the Innovator route: Introduction of a fast-track program for businesses with growth potential
Allowing more flexible options for funding and an opportunity for the applicant to work outside the primary business
- Global Business Mobility: New Global Business Mobility route for overseas businesses
The UK government has laid out all these plans as it aims to make the UK a global innovation hub by 2035. The introduction of this new fast-track visa for recruiting overseas talent would be “very important or vital” for the growth of its economy and employment.
Apart from these, the country is also facing labor shortages in many areas and hence it will rely on UK immigration for highly skilled foreign nationals.
Most popular ways to migrate to the UK
With profound knowledge of UK immigration policies, Y-Axis offers you expert guidance and counsels you on all necessary procedures and requirements to increase your chances of migrating to the UK from India.
Though there are many pathways for UK immigration, the most trusted and successful paths include:
- Migrate through Work Visa – UK skilled migration
- Migrate through Student Route
- Migrating through Family Visa
- Migrating through UK Business Visa
- Migrating through a UK Investor visa
The UK government urges skilled professionals to work in the UK under the Tier 2 visa program to gain a competitive edge. This program allows job seekers to check the occupations in the Tier 2 Shortage Occupation List and apply for them based on their eligibility criteria.
The most in-demand sectors include:
- IT
- Finance
- Teaching
- Healthcare
- Engineering
To apply for the skilled workers’ program in the UK, the applicant must gain a UK work permit.
Later, they need to apply for the Skilled Worker Visas if the candidates are offered skilled jobs in the UK. They should earn a minimum wage of £38,700 to apply for Skilled Worker Visas, or based on the occupations or the ‘ongoing rate.’
New UK immigration points-based assessment system
The UK launched the new UK immigration points-based system in January 2021. The eligibility criteria for the UK skilled migration depend on the ‘new points-based UK Visa system.’ It measures eligibility by taking into consideration various factors to assess candidates’ skills for the UK work visa.
The points scored based on the UK New Points-based System decide the eligibility for the work visa.
To qualify for the UK work visa, the candidate should score a minimum of 70 points. If the candidate has an approved job offer for a skilled job and can speak fluent English, she/he will be awarded 50 points.
The candidate can gain the remaining 20 points if the salary being offered is at least £25,600 per year. The candidates can earn extra points if they have higher qualifications:
- 10 points for a relevant PhD
- 20 points for a PhD in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) disciplines
- 20 points for a job offer in the skill shortages stream
- Few jobs, such as health or education, will earn them 20 points even if their pay is less than £30,960
UK Skilled Worker Visa
The UK Skilled Worker Visa is what you need if you are a non-EU national as well as a skilled professional wanting to reside and be employed in the UK. This visa has replaced the earlier Tier 2 (General) Work Visa.
It has to be noted that if an EU national who is your relative has started to live in the UK before December 31, 2020, such a person can lodge an application to the free EU Settlement Scheme.
Requirements for UK Skilled Worker Visa
- You must have a score of 70 points to qualify in the defined parameters like specific skills, qualifications, salaries and professions.
- You need to have a Minimum Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 2 years of skilled work experience from the eligible occupations list
- You must have a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor
- The job offer must be at the required skill level – RQF 3 or above (A Level and equivalent)
- You must meet the English Language requirement at B1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
- The minimum salary requirement jumps significantly to £38,700 per year for any new migrant applying for the Skilled Worker visa.
- Health and Care Workers must be paid a minimum salary of £29,000.
- Senior or Specialist Workers must be paid a minimum salary of £48,500 annually.
Documents required to apply for UK Skilled Worker Visa
The following documents will be required at the time of applying for a UK Skilled Worker visa:
- The applicant’s Certificate of Sponsorship [CoS] reference number
- Proof of knowledge of the English language
- A valid passport [or other documents that establish the applicant’s nationality and identity]
- Job title
- Annual salary
- Occupation code of the job
- Name of the employer
- The sponsor licence number of the employer
Jobs listed in the UK Immigration Salary List
You can be paid between 70% and 90% of the standard going rate for your job if your salary is at least £30,960 per year and you meet one of the following criteria:
- Your job is on the immigration salary list
- You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
- You have a science, technology, engineering, or maths (STEM) PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job (if you have a relevant PhD level qualification in any other subject, your salary must be at least £26,100)
- You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
| Occupation code | Job types included on the immigration salary list | Areas of the UK which qualify | Standard rate | Lower rate |
| 1212 | Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing, and related services – only “fishing boat masters.” | Scotland only | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £27,000 (£13.85 per hour) |
| 2111 | Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry | Scotland only | £35,200 (£18.05 per hour) | £29,600 (£15.18 per hour) |
| 2112 | Biological scientists – all jobs | UK wide | £41,900 (£21.49 per hour) | £32,100 (£16.46 per hour) |
| 2115 | Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists | UK wide | £36,400 (£18.67 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 2142 | Graphic and multimedia designers – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £35,800 (£18.36 per hour) |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians – only jobs requiring 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 3212 | Pharmaceutical technicians – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,400 (£12.00 per hour) |
| 3411 | Artists – all jobs | UK wide | £32,900 (£16.87 per hour) | £27,300 (£14.00 per hour) |
| 3414 | Dancers and choreographers – only skilled classical ballet dancers or skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognized UK ballet or contemporary dance companies. The company must be endorsed as being internationally recognized by a UK industry body such as the Arts Councils (of England, Scotland or Wales). | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 3415 | Musicians – only skilled orchestral musicians who are leaders, principals, sub-principals, or numbered string positions and who meet the standard required by internationally recognized UK orchestras. The orchestra must be a full member of the Association of British Orchestras. | UK wide | £32,900 (£16.87 per hour) | £27,300 (£14.00 per hour) |
| 3416 | Arts officers, producers, and directors – all jobs | UK wide | £37,500 (£19.23 per hour) | £31,300 (£16.05 per hour) |
| 5119 | Agriculture and fishing trades are not elsewhere classified – only jobs in the fishing industry | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 5213 | Welding trades – only high integrity pipe welders, where the job requires 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. | UK wide | £31,700 (£16.26 per hour) | £26,400 (£13.54 per hour) |
| 5235 | Boat and ship builders and repairers – all jobs | Scotland only | £32,400 (£16.62 per hour) | £28,100 (£14.41 per hour) |
| 5312 | Stonemasons and related trades – all jobs | UK wide | £31,000 (£15.90 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5313 | Bricklayers – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5314 | Roofers, roof tilers, and slaters – all jobs | UK wide | £31,000 (£15.90 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5316 | Carpenters and joiners – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only retrofitters | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,500 (£13.08 per hour) |
| 6135 | Care workers and home carers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. Private households or individuals (other than sole traders sponsoring someone to work for their business) cannot sponsor Skilled Worker applicants. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 6136 | Senior care workers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 6129 | Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified – only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 9119 | Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified – only deckhands on large fishing vessels (9 meters and above) where the job requires the worker to have at least 3 years full-time experience in using their skills. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. |
UK Skilled Worker Visa fees
- Application Fees for stay up to 3 years – 719 pounds
- Application Fees for stay more than 3 years stay-1,420 pounds
- Application Fees if your job is on the Immigration Salary List for a stay of up to 3 years) – 551 pounds
- Application Fees (f job in Immigration Salary List and you wish to stay for more than three years 1084 pounds
- UK NARIC Fees: 49.50 pounds
- UK NARIC – 140 Pounds + VAT
Apart from the application fees, you will have to pay a health surcharge of 1,035 pounds per year of stay when you apply, which will be refunded in case your application is rejected
Migrate through the student route
The UK is next only to the US as the most favored destination for foreign students. The UK is home to the best-ranked universities in the world, some of which make it to the top of the world university rankings.
Many sectors of higher education in the United Kingdom, such as engineering, business, management, art, design, and law, are among the best in the world.
Every year, more than 600,000 international students arrive in the country to pursue various academic programs, beginning from bachelor’s degrees to PhDs. The degrees that the UK higher educational institutions offer are recognized worldwide. Students who study in UK universities get an opportunity to develop competent skills and earn valuable knowledge.
Students can pursue post-graduate studies in most of the universities in the UK as some of them even promise sponsorship of Tier 4 visas. Obtaining a UK Student Visa helps you put your best foot forward, in terms of a brilliant career post your UK study.
The academic year in the UK lasts from September to July. Generally, universities and colleges in the UK have three intakes. Some of them might also refer to intake as a term.
The three intakes in the UK are:
Intake 1: Term 1 – Commencing in September/October, it is the major intake
Intake 2: Term 2 – The intake commencing in January/February is also available
Intake 3: Term 3 – Commencing in May/June, it is available for select courses.
UK family visas are a type of UK entry and residence authorizations that are granted to those who want to settle with their family members permanently in the UK.
UK Family Visa
There are a few ways in which you can get a UK family visa:
- As a spouse or partner of a UK resident.
- As a parent of a UK resident.
- As a child of a UK resident.
- As a sick, disabled, or aged relative in need of long-term care from a UK resident.
- On the basis of private life.
- As a widowed partner of a former UK resident.
- As a separated spouse or partner.
UK Investment Visa
The UK Investment Visa is a Tier 1 visa, part of the UK Points Based System, offered to wealthy individuals who are willing to invest a minimum of £2 million in the UK. The higher the amount of money invested, the quicker the individual can apply for settlement and eventually obtains British citizenship.
For high-net-worth individuals wanting to settle in the UK, the following are the most suitable alternatives:
- Innovator visa
- Global talent visa
- Scale Up visa
How to set up a branch of a company in the UK
Set up your first branch office in the UK. The UK Expansion Worker visa which is a part of the new UK Global Business Mobility, allows you to send a representative to set up the first branch of the company in the UK. This is a great option for businesses to expand their business operations to the UK. Y-Axis can help you navigate UK immigration and make the best case for your temporary Residency.
UK Expansion Work Visa Program details
A UK Expansion Worker visa is the new name given for UK Sole representative visa. It allows you to come to the UK to set up a branch of an overseas business that has not started trading in the UK yet. Key details of the program are:
Companies with no current UK presence can send an employee to the UK on Sole Representative Visa
- Allows the company to expand its business to the UK.
- Allows sufficient time for the company to market research, analysis, and set up operations in the UK.
- The easiest way to register a company in the UK and negotiate with suppliers and customers.
- 12 months will be the initial Visa duration and the extension will be given for another 12 months
Eligibility
To be eligible for a UK Expansion Worker visa you need to:
- Must be a genuine company, incorporated overseas and established for a minimum of one year.
- Must not have any branch, subsidiary or another representative in the UK.
- Sending the employee must be for the benefit of the company
- Should be a senior employee.
- Must have full authority to take operational decisions on the company’s behalf.
- Should have been working with the company for a reasonably long time.
- Should be well acquainted with the company’s operations.
- Must show a good employment track record in a similar or closely related field of work.
- Must meet the English language requirement.
- Must meet the maintenance funds requirement for themselves and any dependent.
- The employee cannot be an owner and majority shareholder in the overseas company.
Who Is Eligible For The Expansion Worker Visa?
You must already work for the overseas business as either a senior manager or specialist employee.
- Must be hired and employed by a company or organization whose headquarters or major place of business is located outside the UK.
- Have the necessary abilities, experience, and expertise for the job.
- Have complete authority to make decisions on behalf of the firm (but do not own or control the majority of it) and have a senior position within it.
- Be hired and employed by a firm or organization that has its headquarters or principal place of business outside of the United Kingdom.
Bring your dependents
Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.
Advantages of the UK Expansion Visa
- work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
- study
- bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
- do voluntary work
- travel abroad and return to the UK
Requirements
The requirements to apply for the UK Expansion Worker Visa Program includes:
- Passport & travel history
- Certificate of Sponsorship
- UK Job details
- Educational and business credentials
- Evidence you are located outside the UK & employed by a non-UK based company
- English Language Proficiency
- Other documentation
How to obtain a UK PR Visa?
UK permanent resident status provides any individual an opportunity to live and work in the UK indefinitely. Interested persons need to acquire this permit to work or carry out business in the UK, without any time limit on their stay or restrictions on immigration.
Requirements for a UK ILR
To get UK PR, one has to live in the UK for five years under one of the following categories:
- Tier 1
- Tier 2 of the points-based system: for the overseas skilled professionals who have valid job offers in the United Kingdom
- Businessperson
- Investor
- International students and Research fellows
- Representatives of a news agency, overseas newspaper, PR agency, or broadcasting organization
- The private servant in the household of a diplomat
- Domestic worker in a private household
- Overseas government employee
- The self-employed lawyer or solicitor
- UK ancestry
- Highly skilled migrants under the Highly Skilled Migrant Program (HSMP)
- Retired person of independent means
- The sole representative of an overseas firm
- One can also apply for UK PR if that individual has a family member or a partner who is a British citizen.
UK PR Visa fee
It costs £2389 for an individual applicant by post. Application in person might cost slightly higher but the advantage of this method is that a decision is taken on the same day without a six-month wait.
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