5 Compelling Reasons Why the UK Skilled Worker Visa is the Best Visa Category

According to Statista, over 1.1 million immigrants were issued Visas to migrate to the UK in 2022, with skilled worker Visas being the most popular category. The PBI system subjects all EU and non-EU potential immigrants to the same scrutiny when applying for a Visa. It’s interesting to note that the PBI system was created to encourage more skilled worker immigrants to apply for UK visas; as a result, among the various visa accessible to immigrants, the UK Skilled Worker Visa is the most common and popular Visa type. The UK’s Office of National Statistics has attributed the sudden increase in immigrants to the sharp increase in non-EU immigrants.

The UK Skilled Worker Visa is a type of visa that allows skilled workers from outside the UK to live and work in the country for a period of up to five years. This visa replaced the previous Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020 as part of the UK’s new PBI system.

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for the UK Skilled Worker Visa

1. Job offer: You must have a job offer from a UK employer on the Home Office’s list of approved sponsors. The job offer must meet the required skill level and salary threshold. Currently, over 70,000 companies in the UK are licensed to help you qualify for the Skilled Worker Visa, and they can be found on the UK’s Government website. As a prospective immigrant, RKY Careers offers assistance in preparing potential candidates to navigate the UK labour market and secure the most lucrative job opportunities in their desired job roles. The services offered by RKY Careers include optimising your CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile for job applications; Career consultations where you are advised on the best approaches to land your desired job; Training and Bootcamps to certify and help you hone the necessary skills, including a UK work experience to help you break the work experience barrier and reference that will give you a competitive edge in the UK labour market.
2. Skill level: The job you are offered must be at the required skill level, set at RQF level 3 or above (equivalent to A-level). RKY Careers provide prospective immigrants with a vital boost in this regard through their exceptionally detailed Career Training Courses that build outstanding professionals and equip them with the essential in-demand skills, employability tools, resources, knowledge, experience, and confidence to successfully navigate the labour market, achieve career elevation, and excel in the desired job roles.
3. English Language Proficiency: You must have a specific level of proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding English. You can demonstrate this by passing a recognised English language test or proving you have completed a degree taught in English.
4. Salary: You must be offered a salary that meets the minimum threshold for your job. The minimum salary threshold is £25,600 per year, although this can be lower if you have a job offer in a shortage occupation or if you have a relevant PhD. For instance, Company A has offered Tolu from Nigeria a position as a compliance analyst, with a basic pay of £27,000 per year. However, because his job role has a minimum salary threshold of £28,000, his visa application could be denied because he does not meet it. You can also find more details about this on the UK’s Government website.
5. Points-based system: In accordance with the UK’s point-based system, you must obtain sufficient points to qualify. You must receive 70 points cumulative—50 for fulfilling the prerequisites mentioned above and 20 for any additional requirements, such as holding a relevant PhD or working in a short-supply profession. RKY Career Bootcamp Courses allows prospective immigrants to earn the other 20 points needed to qualify for the Skilled Worker Visa. Our Bootcamp Certification Courses are UK certified and recognised by every legitimate employer in the UK.
6. Financial requirement: You must prove you have enough money to support yourself in the UK without relying on public funds. This can be demonstrated by revealing your personal savings or fixed deposit bank statement showing you have maintained a minimum of £1270 for a period of at least 28 days or by showing that your sponsor will support you.
7. Criminal record: You must not have a criminal record that would make you ineligible for the visa.

Documents and Costs Involved in Applying for the UK Skilled Worker Visa

1. A valid passport or other travel document: You will need a valid passport or travel document to apply for the UK Skilled Worker Visa.
2. A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your employer in the UK must provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before you can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa. The CoS confirms that your employer is licensed to sponsor foreign workers and has offered you a job that meets the requirements for the Skilled Worker Visa.
3. Evidence of your knowledge of English: You must provide evidence of your knowledge of English, such as passing an approved English language test if you are not from a majority English-speaking country.
4. Proof of your financial status: You must show that you have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds. The amount of money you need to have depends on your individual circumstances.
5. Tuberculosis (TB) test results: If you are from a country where TB is prevalent, you must provide evidence of a negative TB test result.
6. Criminal record certificate: You may need to provide a criminal record certificate, depending on the job you will be doing in the UK.

Costs that may be involved in the application process include:

• Visa application fee: The visa application fee for a Skilled Worker Visa is currently £610.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): You must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application. The IHS is currently £624 per year for most applicants.
• English language test fee: The exam fees must be paid if you need to take an approved English language test.
• TB test fee: You will be required to pay the test fee if you need to take a TB test.
• Criminal record certificate fee: You will be required to pay the certificate’s price if you are asked to present a criminal record certificate.

It’s important to note that these costs can change, so it’s always a good idea to check the most up-to-date information before you apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa.

Benefits of the UK Skilled Worker Visa

The UK Skilled Worker Visa is a popular option for potential immigrants who wish to move to the UK. Here are some reasons why this visa type is often considered the best choice:

1. High demand for skilled workers: In many fields, such as healthcare, engineering, and technology, the UK is experiencing a scarcity of talented personnel. For those who meet the necessary education and work experience requirements, the skilled worker visa offers a quicker and simpler path to immigration.
2. Flexibility: The Skilled Worker Visa allows individuals to work for any UK employer in any role that matches their skillset. This implies that immigrants can switch employment and employers without submitting a new visa application.
3. Visa for Dependents: This visa also allows applicants to bring their dependents (spouse/partner and children) to the UK. Dependents can work and study full-time in the UK without restrictions.
4. Fast processing: The UK government has introduced a fast-track visa service for Skilled Worker Visa applications, meaning individuals can receive a decision within weeks rather than months.
5. Pathway to permanent residency: There is a route to permanent residency in the UK through the skilled worker visa. People may be qualified to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which gives them the right to live and work in the UK permanently after five years of residing and working there on this visa.