The Skilled Worker visa has allowed tens of thousands of highly qualified and experienced workers to come to the UK. They have helped to fill positions that the domestic labour market struggled with and greatly contributed to the British economy. However, all applicants are subject to strict salary and role requirements.
Our article will help you better understand the eligibility and salary requirements for a UK Skilled Worker visa. If you decide to apply, it is highly recommended that you get help from an immigration lawyer or adviser to guide you through the application process.
Defining the Skilled Worker Visa
This visa is popular among highly qualified and experienced foreign workers that want to come to the UK to access opportunities in the labour market and contribute to the British economy. It is for workers that have an offer in an eligible qualification, for which there is a wide range.
On top of access to a great job, the Skilled Worker visa is also a great launching point from which you can start a new life in the UK. On this visa, you will be able to stay in the UK for up to five years. So long as your employment conditions have not changed, you can renew your visa for a further five years. Alternatively, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain, the first step on the path towards citizenship.
Furthermore, the Skilled Worker visa allows you to apply for your dependents (your partner and children) to come to the UK. This is not a guaranteed right and requires them to fit further requirements and for you to fit additional salary requirements.
Eligible Roles and Salary Requirements
The primary requirement for the Skilled Worker visa is that you have received a job offer in an eligible qualification, and have received a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your prospective employer.
Not all roles are eligible and you must have received an offer for a role that is classed as ‘skilled work’ with an RQF level of three or higher. You can find a list of eligible roles on the UK Government website. These roles are across a broad range of sectors, including in the legal, education and management industries.
Furthermore, there are strict salary requirements that your role must have. This is usually £38,700 annually as of time of writing in July 2024. The requirement will be higher if you are entering into a highly paid occupation as it must be at least the ‘going rate’ or higher in your industry.
There are also a handful of circumstances for which you will need to earn a lower salary. If you have a PhD relevant to the role, the requirement will be £34,830 or 90% of the ‘going rate’. This is lower still if the PhD is in a STEM subject at £30,960 or 80% of the going rate. The £30,960 minimum also applies for roles on the immigration salary list or for applicants at the start of their careers. However, the former still requires the ‘going rate’ while the latter requires 70% of the ‘going rate.’ For all of these exceptions, a minimum hourly rate of £15.88 also applies.
Check the average UK salary for different jobs here
Eligibility Criteria for Skilled Worker Visa
On top of the salary requirements, you also need to fit a range of further eligibility criteria for your application to be successful. The standard criteria are as follows:
Your sponsor is legally able to give a CoS, meaning they have a valid sponsorship licence.
- You have English language proficiency of B1 or higher according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- You are 18 or over.
- You have enough money to sustain yourself and your family without requiring help from the welfare state.
- You have a clean criminal record.
- You have a valid TB certificate if you are coming from a TB-affected country.
- You will not engage in another kind of employment while in the UK.
It is important to note that while you must work in your sponsored role under the Skilled Worker visa, you are not stuck in that role. Should you be offered a job at a different company or a different role in the same company, you can apply to alter your visa. This role must be classed as ‘skilled work’.
Required Documents for the Skilled Worker Visa
When you apply for the visa, you will need to work hard to prove that you fully match the requirements by providing a range of documents. Although the exact documentation required will depend on your circumstances, the standard required documents are as follows:
- A valid language certificate.
- A valid passport.
- A document showing your job title and annual salary, such as a contract or signed job offer.
- Recent bank statements.
- Proof of relation to any dependent family members joining you in the UK.
- Your criminal record.
- Certificates for any qualifications you mention in the application.
A New Life in the UK as a Skilled Worker
Accessing a Skilled Worker visa is a fantastic opportunity, giving you the chance to get valuable experience in your industry and benefit from the country’s high-wage economy. Moreover, with the lengthy validity period and the chance to bring your dependents with you, it could mean a new life for your family.
However, as our article has shown, there are a number of eligibility criteria. This applies to the role, the company you will be joining, and you and your family’s eligibility. Moreover, you will need to bring together valid documentation to prove you match the visa’s requirements.
Thousands of applicants make use of an immigration lawyer or adviser. These legal professionals can help you to pull together the required documentation and make your application. Moreover, they can guide you through the appeals process if your application is rejected.