Applying for your Skilled Worker Visa

In our previous blog we walked you through how to obtain your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) so that you are in the position to be able to apply for your Health & Care Worker visa.

To come to the UK and stay whilst working within a role with an approved employer you must hold an accepted Skilled Worker visa.

Please note: This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (general) work visa.

How do I qualify for a Skilled Worker visa?

There are a few steps you must check are confirmed to ensure you can qualify for the visa.

The steps to check are as follows:

1. The UK employer you are looking to work for must be approved by the Home Office

2. You must have a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)’ from your employer which contains information on the role you have been offered in the UK

3. The job must be on the list of eligible occupations

4. You must be paid a minimum salary – the amount depends on the type of work you do

You can find a full guide on the requirements here.

What documents do I need to apply for the visa?

You must apply for the Skilled Worker visa online and have certain documents available to proceed.

The documents you need are:

• Your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number – your employer will provide you with this

• A valid passport of other relevant document which shows your identity and nationality

• Your job title and annual salary

• Your job’s occupation code

• The name of your employer and their sponsor licence number – this will also be on your Certificate of Sponsorship

Criminal record certificate

You’ll need to provide a criminal record certificate if you’re applying from outside the UK and you work in:

• education, for example teachers, education advisers and school inspectors, childminders, teaching assistants

• healthcare, for example nurses, doctors, paramedics, managers, pharmacists, dentists and dental nurses, ophthalmic opticians

• therapy, for example psychologists, speech and language therapists, counsellors

• social services, for example social workers, managers, probation officers, welfare and housing officers

Please note: You must obtain a criminal record certificate for any country you have lived in for the last 10 years, for 12 months or more.

Check how to apply for criminal records checks.

How much will it cost?

In order to apply for the Skilled Worker visa you will be required to have enough money to:

• Pay the application fee – the standard fee ranges from £610 to £1,408 depending on your circumstances

• Pay the healthcare surcharge – this is usually £624 per year (you can check for the correct charge here.

• Be able to support yourself when you arrive in the UK – they typically suggest you have at least £1,270 available (unless you are exempt) – see below for more information on this.

If you’re applying from outside the UK, the standard fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:

• up to 3 years - £610 per person

• more than 3 years - £1,220 per person

If you’re applying from inside the UK to extend, switch or update your visa, the standard fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:

• up to 3 years - £704 per person

• more than 3 years - £1,408 per person

If your job is on the shortage occupation list

You and your family will pay a lower application fee if your job is on the shortage occupation list.

The fee for each person applying is:

• £464 if you’re staying for up to 3 years

• £928 if you’re staying for more than 3 years

The fee is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:

• you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

• your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270

Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

If your employer can support you instead

Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this. Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.

How do I extend my visa?

They will usually allow you to apply for an extension to your Skilled Worker visa or Tier 2 (General) work visa if all of the following are true:

• you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK

• your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK

• you’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship

Some health workers and their families will get their visas extended for free because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Please note:

• Your partner or children will need to apply separately to extend their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

• You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Find the UK government’s full guide on extending your visa here.

We want to help you.

Are you an international Doctor looking for support and guidance in relocating to the UK to pursue your dream career?

Our Medical experts have helped Doctors find their desired job, apply for and obtain a visa, as well as relocate and provide aftercare.

If this is something you are looking for then please do not hesitate our friendly team at info@kaizenrecruitment.co.uk or alternatively call 0203 857 4106.