Skilled Worker Visa Route – Previously Tier 2 Visa

INTRODUCTION

The UK is a very vibrant economy with a lively job market. With ‘Brexit’ and new immigration rules preferential treatment to EU applicants has gone and a level playing field is provided for UK job aspirants’ world over.

Now it is an Employer-led system where approved English employers are trusted to decide whether an applicant is skilled/qualified for the job or not. The new system makes it easier for the UK Companies to procure the best of talent from around the world purely based on merit and qualifications. This offers wide range of opportunities for skilled Job seekers and UK immigration aspirants.

It is based on sponsorship and it is a point based system.

A dependent partner and dependent children can apply on this route.

Skilled Worker is a route to settlement.

The new system has come into effect from 1st January 2021 onwards. Skilled Worker Visa Route has replaced the Tier 2 (General) Visa Route.

The Process is mostly governed by Immigration Rules Appendix – Skilled Worker

EXISTING JOB OFFER AT APPROPRIATE SKILL LEVEL FROM AN APPROVED SPONSOR

The applicant skilled worker must have a job offer in an eligible skilled occupation from a Home Office-approved sponsor/employer. Such Job offer will provide you with 20 points in a point system where you have to have total 70 points to get through

Job offered must be at a required skill level of RQF3 (Regulated Qualifications Framework 3) or above (which is equivalent to A level). The skill threshold has been brought down from RQF6 to RQF3.

Job at Appropriate Skill Level will provide you further 20 points out of the required 70 points.

RIGHT LEVEL OF ENGLISH ELIGIBILITY

You should speak, read, write and understand English.

Proof of English Language skills tests like IELTS will be required for applicants from specified countries. Or you should produce proof that your language of study was English at the Degree Level (Academic Qualification Level Statement). English Eligibility will give you 10 Points.

TRADABLE AND NON- TRADABLE POINTS

Points for ‘Offer of job by approved sponsor’, ‘Job at appropriate skill level’ and ‘English eligibility’ are not tradeable and are therefore mandatory.

The following is a table, showing points tradeable and non- tradeable for various chrematistics, which forms part of the UK’s points-based immigration system Policy Statement, published by the UK Government on 19th February 2020.

A total of 70 points is required to be eligible to apply; some characteristics are tradeable.

Tradeable Characteristics are not mandatory but would fetch you points.

SALARY THRESHOLD

The general salary threshold set is £ 25,600 per annum. If you have a salary of £ 25,600 and above you will be entitled to 20 Points.

If your salary is somewhere between £ 23,040 and £25,599 you will be entitled to 10 points.

If the salary offered is less than the above salary requirement for points, that is £ 23,040 but more than £20,480 the Applicant may still be eligible by tradable points if they have:

A job offer in a specific shortage occupation or a PhD relevant to the job or a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job

DEPENDANTS

Your partner and children may also get Dependant Visa.

Any dependants who are over 16 years of age can work full time in the UK until the time dependant visa is valid. They can pursue any type of work except as a doctor or dentist.

NO SPONSORSHIP CAP

Now there is no cap on number of migrants entering the UK, so all applications will be considered on merits.

TENURE OF VISA

Skilled worker visa could be for 5 years and you can get it extended further if you meet the eligibility requirements. After 5 years you would be able to apply for ‘indefinite leave to remain and settle in the UK.

We Can Help You Get Through the Process Successfully

Whether you are a UK Employer or an immigration aspirant our expert solicitors can work and help you in the best possible manner for hassle-free success in the whole process of getting a Skilled Worker Visa and in case of refusal, if required help you with Administrative and Judicial reviews.

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+44 (0) 2031301747

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