From 1 January 2021, all foreign citizens coming to the UK to work must apply for permission in advance using the Skilled Worker route, regardless of where they are from. Visas will be awarded to applicants who meet a specific set of criteria for which they will score points. A minimum of 70 points is required to be granted entry under this route.
The United Kingdom Skilled Worker Visa is
under a points-based system. The applicant must have been offered a job at a UK
company which holds a sponsorship licence, and they must score at least 70
points on the points-based system.
The rules and specificities around Skilled
Worker Visa entirely depend on the applicant’s individual circumstances and the
nature of the job they have been offered.
The Skilled Worker route can lead to
Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years of residency in the UK. Note: The application must be submitted up to 3 months before assume duty.
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1. |
Handling and Application Fee |
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Our fees for handling an UK
Skilled Worker visa application is GBP2,800. An extra GBP1,000 will be charged
for each dependent visa. In particular, our fees cover the following
services: |
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Note: |
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For your information and subject to change, the charge
refer to the payment when submitting the application and the annual surcharge
as at Nov 2021 as follow: |
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1. |
Immigration health surcharge: £624 annually | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2. |
Translation fees and English language test fees (if applicable) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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3. |
Visa fees vary depending on the circumstances of the applicant and their application. (see below) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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4. |
Applicant from Austria,
Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden
or Turkey can reduce application fee by £55. |
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2. |
Payment Term and Method |
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Upon receipt of confirmation of engagement, we will issue an invoice and email it together with detailed wire instructions to you. Because of the nature of services, we require full payment in advance. In addition, once service is commenced, no service fees will be refunded. We currently only accept check, cash or TT and credit card payment through PayPal. If invoice is settled by PayPal, an extra 5% service fee will be charged.
If Taiwan uniform invoice is required, a Business Tax at 5% of the invoiced amount will be charged and collected.
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3. |
Eligibility Criteria |
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The following
eligibility criteria must be fulfilled for the UK Skilled Worker Visa: |
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For
Applicant |
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Note: |
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1. |
Evidence to prove the
English ability is NOT required for applicant(s) from Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas,
Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New
Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad
and Tobago, USA. |
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2. |
The absolute minimum
possible salary to be eligible for the UK Skilled Worker Visa is £20,480. The
minimum salary for the type of work is whichever the highest out of the
following 3 options as at Nov 2021 as follow: |
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3. |
Once the application
is approved, applicant can obtain a visa to stay in the UK for up to five years
under this immigration permission. |
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4. |
The minimum salary
threshold could be reduced if the job offered is on the shortage occupation
list (SOL). |
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5. |
An
application is needed to extend or update the visa when it
expires, change jobs or employer. |
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6. |
After 5 years, Skilled
Worker visa holder may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also
known as “indefinite leave to remain”). |
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For
UK Employer |
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4. |
Points-Based Immigration System |
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The UK’s Points-based immigration system is what the new Skilled Worker
Visa is based on. There is a score of 70 points, which applicants must meet to
be eligible for the visa. Applicants can get these points through a shortage
occupation position and their level of education. |
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Mandatory points |
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Tradeable points |
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All applicants will be able to trade characteristics, such as their
qualifications, against a lower salary to get the required number of points. If
the job offer is less than the minimum salary requirement, but no less than
£20,480, an applicant may still be eligible if they have: |
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5. |
Documents Required Skilled Worker Visa Application |
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The following
information and documents are required for the purpose of applying an UK
Skilled Worker Visa application: |
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1. |
Certificate of
Sponsorship reference number (provided by employer); |
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A valid passport or
other document that shows the identity and nationality of the employee(s); |
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Proof of English
language ability (unless exempt) |
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Evidence of the
employee(s) job title, occupation code and salary |
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The name of the
employer and their sponsorship license number |
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6. |
Evidence of the applicant
can fulfill the genuine vacancy |
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7. |
Proof
of having enough funds to support yourself and any family members in the
UK (e.g. Bank statements with
at least £1,270 for individual, etc., unless your certificate of sponsorship
shows the hiring entity can support the visa beneficiary. For more detail,
please check
here ) |
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8. |
Documents
to Establish Relationship with the Beneficiary (e.g.
partner or children) if they’re applying with the applicant(s) |
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9. |
A
tuberculosis test results is required if applicant is transferred from a listed
country (Check
here) |
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10. |
Criminal record
certificate |
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(1) |
Must be provide for
applicant who apply for jobs in healthcare, education and therapy and social
services sectors; |
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(2) |
If applicant(s) has
lived in more than one country, a criminal record certificate is required
depending on the age and the stay duration. |
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11. |
A valid ATAS
certificate if applicants’ job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD
level or higher (if capable) |
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12. |
UK PhD certificate,
or unique Ecctis reference number (for degree obtained outside UK) |
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Note: |
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6. |
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You must apply online for the Skilled Worker Visa. If you are switching from an eligible visa or extending a current work visa, you can either apply for the visa from outside the UK, or inside the UK.
You will need proof of your identity as part of your application process. You will have to provide either your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo) or use the “UK Immigration: ID Check” App to scan your identity document. When you complete the application, you will be informed of what you need to do next.
You have up to 3 months before the day you are due to start your job role to apply for the visa. You can expect a decision within 3 weeks if you apply from outside of the UK. There will be a wait for up to 8 weeks to receive a decision on your application if you apply from inside the UK.
However, the processing time of the Home Office is largely depending on the complexities of the personal situation of the beneficiary and whether the initial application contained the relevant and sufficient level of supporting documentation. If the documents and the information that you provide is insufficient, the application process may take longer. You may also get asked to verify some specific documents.
Priority service is available for an extra fee charged by the UK Home Officer varying from £240 to £800 depending on your location (5 or 1 working day(s) processing time available). |
If
you wish to obtain more information or assistance, please visit the official website of Kaizen Immigration Services Limited at www.kaizenvis.com or contact us through the following and talk to our professionals: