UK Work Visas For Skilled Migrants 2024

UK Work Visas For Skilled Migrants are now available for those who intend to immigrate to the UK. A number of UK industries offer skilled immigrant visas. If you consider yourself skilled and qualified, see how to apply for UK work visas for skilled migrants.

UK Work Visas For Skilled Migrants

High-skilled professionals from other countries have long been drawn to the UK to work in a range of industries, including finance, technology, and UK healthcare. Due to the current skills gap, there are numerous chances for highly talented immigrants from around the world to use their abilities in the UK.

Work Visas In the UK

According to current plans, there will be a points-based system that applies to both EU and non-EU workers with a general income threshold of £25,600 (lower in specific areas). There are only a few ways for people who don’t satisfy the requirements to acquire job-related visas in the UK, such as seasonal jobs, temporary work, and areas where there are particular shortages.

Recommended: UK Visas And Residence Permits

Available UK Visas For Skilled Migrants

Tier 2 work visa

If a licensed sponsor has offered a skilled worker a position in the UK, they are eligible to apply for a Tier 2 work visa. The only general long-term work visa now offered in the UK is this one. This visa is for immigrants who match the necessary criteria for talents and pay, including:

1. researchers and academics;
2. those engaged in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math);
3. health practitioners;
4. people employed in UK industries with a skills gap

Global Talent Visa

Immigrants who had received support from an organization with formal recognition, such as the Royal Society or the Arts Council, or who have been identified as having extraordinary skill or promise may apply for a Global Talent Visa. With this visa, you are able to work, start your own business, or run a company in the UK.

Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer Visa

Alternatively, you might be able to apply for a Tier 2 intra-company transfer visa if you’re a skilled immigrant who works for an organization that wants to relocate you to a branch in the UK.

Other high-skilled immigrant visa options

Self-employed persons and those seeking to launch a business in the UK or make investments there may apply for either of the following:

Innovator visa – for those who want to set up operations and have at least £50,000 to invest and an endorsement from an approved body;

Start-up visa: for people with fresh company concepts that show both innovation and expansion potential;

Investor visa – for those who want to make an investment of a minimum of £2 million in the UK

Who Qualifies For A UK Skilled Migrant Visa?

The following criteria must be met in order to apply for a Tier 2 work visa:

1. obtain a job offer and a certificate of sponsorship from an authorized UK employer;
2. earning at least £30,000 per year (or the relevant rate for the position if the average pay is greater);
3. demonstration of adequate English proficiency (see recommended exams);
4. a minimum of £945 in savings, or the equivalent sum that your sponsor has given you;
5. a recent 10-year history of no felony convictions;
6. TB test results if you are from one of the countries on the list

UK Points-Based System For Skilled Immigration Visa
Pointers	Score
meets minimum English requirement	10 points
job offer by approved sponsor	20 points
salary between £20,480 – £23,039	0 points
job at appropriate skill level	20 points
salary between £23,040 – £25,599	10 points
£25,600 salary or more	20 points
Ph.D. in a STEM subject relevant to the job	20 points
job listed as a shortage occupation	20 points
Ph.D. in another subject relevant to the job	10 points

To be considered, applicants must earn at least 70 points. 

How To Apply For A UK Work Visas For Skilled Migrants

Where to apply?

If you are not extending an existing visa or switching from another UK visa, you must apply for a Tier 2 visa from outside the UK before leaving.

The application must be submitted online, and you must go to a UK visa application center to have your photo and fingerprints taken. You need this to get your biometric residency permit.

Documentation For A UK Skilled Migrant Visa

You must submit the following information in order to apply for a UK skilled migrant visa:

1. sponsoring employer’s reference number;
2. statement of English linguistic proficiency;
3. evidence of your financial capability (such as a bank statement);
4. a passport or other ID that is valid
5. Depending on your employment and where you are coming from, you might also be asked to give proof of a spotless criminal record and details about your health.
6. You must present documentation of endorsement from a reputable organization if you are applying for a Global Talent visa.

UK Skilled Migrant Visa Application Fees
3-year Tier 2 visa	£610
3-year Tier 2 visa in a shortage occupation	£464
Tier 2 Visa over 3 years	£1,220
Tier 2 Visa over 3 years in a shortage occupation	£928
Global Talent visa	£608
Tier 2 intra-company transfer visa as a graduate trainee	£482

The precise visa you are applying for will determine the fees. For each applicable dependent, the costs are the same. All of the aforementioned categories are discounted by £55 for citizens of Turkey and Macedonia who are applying for a UK work visa.

Duration For Processing A UK Skilled Work Visa?

In the UK, you can apply for a skilled work visa up to three months prior to the start of your job. You should receive a decision within three weeks after submitting your application and the required paperwork.

If you don’t want to wait the full three weeks, you can pay for a fast-track service. Currently, this costs £500 for a judgement made within five working days and £800 for one made right away (or two days if your application is made over the weekend).

Working In The UK On A Skilled Migrant Visa

In the UK, you can commence working as soon as you have your visa. To avoid any delays, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to apply. Most visas are valid for the same period of time as the associated employment contract. Although certain highly compensated intra-company transfer visas can run up to nine years, the maximum visa length is five years.

A Tier 2 work visa may be extended an overall total of six times. Global Talent visas are renewable periodically for periods of five years.

Additionally, holders of the Global Talent visa are permitted to change jobs. A general Tier 2 visa does not allow for employer changes without prior Home Office approval. Most Tier 2 visas are only utilized in relation to a single job.

UK Tier 2 Residence Permit

With a Tier 2 skilled worker visa, you may work a second job in specific situations. As long as it doesn’t conflict with your sponsored employment, you can also engage in volunteer work or academic pursuits in the UK.

You may leave and re-enter the UK whenever you choose for as long as the visa is in effect if you have a work visa for skilled migrants in the UK. However, you are unable to use this visa to obtain public funding in the UK.

You must submit a new visa application if you want to change your work visa to a different category of visa.

UK Residence Permits and Citizenship For Skilled Migrants

After obtaining your decision letter, you should have your biometric UK resident permit within 10 days. The duration of this temporary residence permit is the same as the validity of your visa.

After five years of residing in the UK on a work visa, skilled immigrants are eligible to apply for permanent residence. After three years of residency, those with a Global Talent visa—awarded for having an exceptional talent—can apply for a permanent settlement permit.

If you have been a permanent resident for at least 12 months and have resided in the UK for at least five years, you may apply for British citizenship.

Family Reunion For Skilled Migrants

If you come to the UK as a skilled immigrant, you may bring your spouse/partner or children who are under the age of 18 with you. Family members must each submit a separate visa application.

Also Read: How to Apply For UK Spousal Visa

Other Useful Resources:

British CV And Interview Tips
Applying For Jobs In London
Top Nursing Jobs In UK For Foreigners
Best UK Job Sites

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