If you’re planning to start working permanently or as a contractor in the UK, you’ll need sponsorship for your Skilled Worker Visa. Before you start searching for a job it is important to gain an understanding of the requirements for entering the UK under this Visa.
What is Skilled Worker Sponsorship in the UK?
The Skilled Worker visa is the most common option for workers moving to the UK. To obtain a Skilled Worker visa, an applicant must be sponsored by an employer with a valid sponsor licence. This sponsorship confirms that you will be working for them for the period of your stay.
Best Options for Skilled Worker Sponsorship in the UK
If you’re seeking permanent employment, apply for vacancies where the company provides Skilled Worker sponsorship. Once you find a role, you’ll be covered for your entire stay as long as you’re employed by that company.
For consultants and freelancers, consider using a consulting company that can sponsor your work permit. This arrangement offers employment security while allowing you to control your project work.
How We Help With Skilled Worker Sponsorship in the UK
We work with many different recruiting and consulting companies throughout UK. Contact us and we can discuss different options with you. We may be able to put you in touch with a company that can sponsor your skilled worker visa.
Skilled Worker Visa Information
For workers with a skilled job offer and a certificate of sponsorship from a UK employer with a valid licence. Key requirements include:
Valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Appropriate salary (general threshold of £26,200 or the job's going rate, whichever is higher)
Meeting the English language requirement
Maintenance funds
The Resident Labour Market Test
Where a UK employer is looking to recruit a skilled worker from outside the UK, they normally need to complete a Resident Labour Market Test unless the job to be filled is on the UK's Shortage Occupation List.
To complete a Resident Labour Market test, an employer must post a minimum of 2 adverts for at least 28 days. To sponsor most people for a Skilled Worker visa, an employer uses this processes to evidence that they could not find a suitably qualified person in the UK.
Immigration Salary List
In the UK skilled jobs usually need to be advertised for a set period before they can be offered to a Skilled Worker visa applicant. However, the Immigration Salary List identifies skilled jobs in short supply, allowing employers to recruit workers without needing to advertise the role first.
Key points include:
Salary Thresholds: Jobs must meet a minimum salary of £30,960 or the occupation-specific threshold, whichever is higher.
Specific Occupations: Roles such as health services managers, care workers, scientists, engineers, IT professionals, and various technical roles.
For more details on the Immigration Salary List and to see if your profession is included, refer to the UK Government's official guidance.
Required Documents for the Visa application
Skilled Worker Visa applicants must provide several documents with their application, these include:
Current passport and/or other travel documents
A separate passport photograph
Proof that they can meet the maintenance funds requirements for their visa, such as bank statements, unless their sponsor can guarantee their maintenance with the UK Home Office. Only 'A rated' sponsors have this option.
Proof that they meet the English Language requirements (see below for details)
A clear tuberculosis (TB) test result letter, if the applicant is from one of the countries on the Home Office's TB testing list
Skilled Worker Visa Family members (dependants)
In most cases you can bring your partner or children with you during your stay, but you must show that you have sufficient funds to provide for them. They will be able to apply under a family visa.
Skilled Worker English language requirement
Skilled Worker visa applicants may be required to complete an English test if they are not nationals of an English-speaking country or have not completed a higher education degree in an English-speaking country. That candidate will have to either: