Study Abroad Expert
The Skilled Worker Visa is a great opportunity for Indian students and professionals to live and work in the UK with a legal right to employment. With this visa, you can stay in the UK for up to 5 years, and even bring your family, including your spouse/partner and children under 18. After 5 continuous years, it also allows you to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which offers permanent residency.
To qualify for skilled work visa, candidate needs to show an offer letter from a UK employer with the minimum salary of £26,200 per year, prove of English proficiency at B1 level (an intermediate level of proficiency on the Common European Framework) and you must meet the financial requirement by showing you have at least ₹1,38,430 (£1,270) in your bank account to support yourself, unless your employer covers this cost in the Certificate of Sponsorship. The visa fees for applicant are ₹68,125 for up to 3 years and ₹1,34,615 for more than 3 years.
Also Check: UK Work Visa
Benefits of the Skilled Worker Visa
Listed below are the key benefits of the UK Skilled Worker Visa:
1. Work Opportunities
- Job Security: The visa allows you to work for an approved employer in the UK, meaning you have a legal right to earn a living while contributing to the economy.
- Long Duration: You can stay and work in the UK for up to 5 years, with options to extend your visa if needed.
2. Pathway to Permanent Residency
After living in the UK for 5 continuous years on this visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is a step toward becoming a permanent resident. This gives you more stability and rights in the UK.
3. Family Benefits
Your family members, such as children under 18 and your partner, can join you in the UK as dependents. They will also have the opportunity to apply for ILR after meeting certain criteria.
4. Study While You Work
You are allowed to study while holding a Skilled Worker Visa, with no limit on the number of hours you can dedicate to your education, provided it does not interfere with your job.
5. Flexibility in Employment
If your circumstances change, you can switch employers or jobs within the UK as long as the new position meets the visa requirements. This flexibility helps you adapt to new opportunities without losing your visa status.
Eligibility Criteria for the Skilled Worker Visa
The eligibility criteria for the skilled worker visa includes the following:
- Age Requirement - You must be at least 18 years old to apply
- Offer letter - A confirmed job offer from a UK employer.
- Eligible Occupation - Job must be on the skilled occupation list (jobs in the UK that require a certain skill level).
- Salary Requirement - salary must meet the minimum threshold £38,700(₹4,218,300) per year.
- English Language Proficiency - You must prove you can speak, read, write, and understand English at a B1 level (an intermediate level of proficiency on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
- Financial Requirement - You may need to show least £1,270 in your bank account, unless your employer covers this cost in the Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Certificate of Sponsorship: Issued by your employer.
- Criminal Record Check - For certain jobs, like healthcare and education.
Also Check:
Duration and Renewal of the Visa
The Skilled Worker Visa is usually granted for up to 5 years. The exact length depends on how long your job contract is, but it can be extended as long as you meet the visa requirements.
Extending the Visa:
You can renew your visa before it expires if:
- You still have a valid job offer from a licensed UK employer.
- Your job continues to meet the minimum salary and skill requirements.
Students must remember You can extend your visa as many times as needed, as long as you stay eligible. Additionally, after living and working in the UK for 5 years, you may also apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which lets you stay in the UK permanently.
Also Check - UK Student Visa Regulations
Application Process for the Skilled Worker Visa
The step-by-step guide for application process for the skilled worker visa is:
- Secure a job offer from a licensed UK employer who is approved to sponsor foreign workers.
- Your employer will provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship, which contains a reference number and details of your job.
- Ensure your job meets the required skill level and salary threshold £38,700(₹4,218,300) per year.
- Prove your English language ability to speak, read, write, and understand with the test score of:
- IELTS - 4.0 in each skill
- PTE Academic - 43 in each skill
- Occupational English Test (OET) - Grade: B in each skill
- Complete the online visa application form, submitting all the required information and documents.
- Pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- Attend an appointment to submit your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) at a visa application center.
- Wait for the Home Office to process your application, which typically takes 3-8 weeks depending on your location and priority service.
- If approved, collect your visa and prepare to move to the UK.
Also Check - Student Guide to Study in UK
Fees and Associated Costs
All the fees and associated cost requirement for the skilled work visa in UK is listed below:
| Category | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
| Visa Application Fee (Up to 3 years) | ₹68,125 (standard), ₹52,211 (if job is on Shortage Occupation List) |
| Visa Application Fee(More than 3 years) | ₹1,34,615 (standard), ₹1,02,827 (if job is on Shortage Occupation List) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | ₹67,976 per year (for the duration of the visa) |
| Biometric Information Fee | ₹2,093 |
| Priority Processing (Optional) | ₹54,500 for faster visa decision within 5 working days |
| Super Priority Processing (Optional) | ₹87,200 for a decision by the end of the next working day |
| Criminal Record Certificate | ₹4,905 - ₹13,080 (depending on the issuing authority in India) |
| Tuberculosis (TB) Test | ₹7,085 - ₹12,100 |
| Proof of Funds Requirement | ₹1,38,430 (if not covered by your employer in the Certificate of Sponsorship) |
Note - The Shortage Occupation List is a list of jobs in the UK where there aren’t enough skilled workers available, so employers are encouraged to hire people from abroad. If your job is on this list, you can apply for a visa more easily, with lower fees and a reduced salary requirement.
Pathway to Permanent Residency (ILR)
If you’re on a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after living and working in the UK for 5 continuous years. ILR is permanent residency, meaning you can live and work in the UK without time limits.
Eligibility
- Must have lived and worked in the UK for at least 5 years on your visa, without being outside the country for more than 180 days in any 12-month period.
- Must have a valid job offer, earning the minimum required salary.
- Must qualify Life in UK test
- Must qualify English proficiency test.
- IELTS - 4.0 in each skill
- PTE Academic - 43 in each skill
- Occupational English Test (OET) - Grade: B in each skill
Note -: Life in the UK Test is a multiple-choice test that checks your knowledge of British history, culture, traditions, and laws. The test has 24 questions, and you need to score at least 75% (which means answering 18 out of 24 questions correctly) to pass.
Also Check - Job Opportunities in UK for Indian Students
FAQs
Ques What happens if I lose my job while on the Skilled Worker Visa?
Ans If you lose your job, you have 60 days to find a new job and employer who can sponsor you, or you may need to leave the UK.
Ques Can I apply for UK skilled visa once again if I have not joined a job under the previously approved UK skilled visa?
Ans Yes, you can apply for a UK skilled visa again if you haven’t joined a job under the previously approved visa.
Ques How do I know if my UK skilled worker visa is approved?
Ans You’ll know your UK skilled worker visa is approved when you receive a decision letter from the UK Home Office or an update through your application portal. You can also check your visa status online using your reference number.
Ques How do the immigration authorities in the UK know if the job vacancy mentioned in a skilled worker visa application is genuine or not?
Ans UK immigration authorities verify the genuineness of a job vacancy by checking if the employer is approved by the Home Office and whether the job meets the required skill and salary levels. They may also ask for supporting documents like the job description, contract, and proof of the company's business activities.
Ques Can I change my seasonal visa into a skilled visa with skills in the UK?
Ans Yes, you can switch from a seasonal visa to a skilled worker visa if you find a job that qualifies for the skilled visa and meet all the requirements. You'll need to apply for the skilled worker visa and provide a valid job offer that meets the necessary skill and salary criteria.
Ques Can I study while on the Skilled Worker Visa?
Ans Yes, you can study part-time or full-time as long as it doesn’t interfere with your primary job on skilled worker visa.
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