Under Skilled Worker Visa, the person can come to or stay in the UK for an eligible job with an approved employer.
If the person applying for this type of visa or his/her family is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein and the applicant or his/her family is living in the UK earlier from 1 st January 2021 then the applicant may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme (the EUSS). In any other case, the person will need a visa to work in the UK.
Irish citizens however won’t need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Following are the eligibility criteria to qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa UK :
- The UK employer has to be approved by the Home Office.
- A Certificate of Sponsorship has been assigned by the employer stating the role that has been offered to the applicant in the UK.
- The job offered to the employee must be on the eligible occupations list.
- The job must pay a minimum salary that depends on the type of work offered to the employee.
- The job offer must be confirmed before applying for the visa.
- The employee must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. To prove knowledge of English there are many ways like passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT), having a GCSE A level or a degree-level academic qualification taught in English. Though nationals of some countries don’t need to prove their knowledge of English. Some of these countries are Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, the USA, Trinidad & Tobago, etc.
The visa given to the worker under Skilled Worker Visa UK status can last up to 5 years and after it needs to be extended. The holder will need to apply to update if he or she changes jobs or employer. The visa can be extended as many times as needed given that the holder meets the eligibility criteria.
After the person on Skilled Worker Visa in the UK completes five years, he or she may be able to apply for permanent settlement in the UK i.e. Indefinite Leave to Remain that will give the visa holder the right to live, work and study for as long as one likes and also becomes eligible to the public benefits.
The person can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the date he or she starts working in the UK. The decision on the visa application is made within 3-8 weeks.
