3 Top Tips when applying for a Skilled Worker visa

On a Skilled Worker visa, you can live and work in the UK for up to 5 years. You can also bring dependant family members with you for the duration of your visa.

After completing 5 years of continuous residence under this visa category, you and your family (as applicable) may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. In this blog, we will look at 3 Top Tips when applying for a Skilled Worker visa.

Tip 1: Ensure that your prospective UK employer has a sponsor licence prior to submitting your visa application

As part of your application, you will need to be sponsored by a UK employer holding a sponsor licence. Your prospective employer will have to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (“CoS”) to you before you submit your application. A CoS is an electronic document with a reference number – you will need this reference number to include in your application.  

Without a UK sponsor and a valid CoS your application will be rejected.

Tip 2: Ensure that you meet the English language requirement

As part of a Skilled Worker visa application, you will need to demonstrate knowledge of English language at the prescribed level or above. This requirement can be met by:

• Being a national of a majority English speaking country (as defined by the Home Office)
• Holding a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained in a UK school while under the age of 18
• Having a degree level academic qualification that was taught in English (if not taught in the UK, additional documents will be required)
• Meeting this requirement in a previous successful visa application
• Passing an English language test from an approved provider at the required level

At times, applicants make mistakes when demonstrating that they meet the English language requirement. For example, they might accidentally book tests at the wrong level or with a provider that has not been approved by the Home Office. It is therefore important to check the Home Office guidance prior to booking your test.

Tip 3: Check if your prospective employer has certified maintenance

As part of a Skilled Worker visa application, you will need to meet the financial requirement. This requirement can be met if your prospective employer has certified maintenance for your visa application. If they are certifying maintenance, they will have answered “yes” to the question regarding maintenance on your CoS.

If not, you will need to submit evidence to demonstrate that you are able to financially support yourself in the UK. You will need to prove that you have held at least £1,270 in your bank account for at least 28 days prior to the date of application. You will be required to demonstrate further funds if your dependant family are also applying for visas.

However, if you (and your family) have been living in the UK for 12 months on a visa, you will automatically meet the financial requirement and need not show evidence of funds.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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