UK Work Visa
UK Work Visa (Tier 2) Application
A UK work visa is a visa granted to a person who has an agreement with an employer operating legally in the UK to travel to the UK for work. The UK work visa is also known as the UK skilled worker visa and replaced the UK Tier 2 visa, which was the general work visa, with the post-Brexit arrangement in 2019. The UK work visa, also known as the UK skilled worker, is a long-term visa type.
rsscanadaimmigration.com is the accredited organisation that has achieved the highest approval rate in the last 4 years in work visa applications for people who have received a job offer from an employer with a sponsorship licence in the UK.
What are the UK Work Visa Requirements?
UK work visa requirements are listed below.
- Practising one of the professions that are suitable for obtaining a UK work visa
- Have a confirmed job offer
- Working for an employer operating in the UK and approved by the Home Office
- Have a sponsorship document from your UK employer, including information about the person’s role and role at their workplace.
- To receive a salary in line with the salary conditions set for the job to be performed in the UK.
- Have the required English language skills
What is the Certificate of Sponsorship Requirement for a UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The requirement for a certificate of sponsorship for a UK skilled worker visa is to have an electronic registration document obtained before applying for a visa. A skilled worker visa is obtained with a certificate of sponsorship that shows that you are working in the UK, approved by your employer, and that you are suitable for the specified role and duties.
The UK sponsorship certificate is not a physical certificate, it is only an electronic record. It is necessary to apply for a UK skilled worker visa using the reference number on the sponsorship certificate. The visa application must be made within 3 months of receiving the UK sponsorship certificate.
What is the Minimum Salary Requirement for a UK Sponsored Work Visa?
The minimum salary for a UK sponsored work visa is the minimum wage for that job. The UK market wage is usually £25,600 per year or £10.10 per hour. The amount required for a UK skilled worker visa changes as the annual working rates and earnings in a particular occupation exceed these amounts.
For a UK skilled worker visa, it is necessary to receive a minimum salary level calculated according to the working conditions and earnings in the relevant profession. For example, if the annual earnings in the UK for the job is 30,000 British pounds, the employee’s salary must be at the same level; if the salary is lower, it is not possible to obtain a UK skilled worker visa.
What is the Minimum Financial Requirement for a Work Visa in the UK?
The minimum financial savings requirement for a UK work visa is at least £1,270. The money shown in the bank account must be in the bank account for at least 28 consecutive days. The 28th consecutive day that the money is in the bank account must be within 31 days of the visa application.
The required financial savings to qualify for a UK skilled worker visa is £285 for a spouse, £315 for a child and £200 for each remaining child. The financial savings required for a spouse and children are added to the minimum financial savings of £1,270.
What are the Language Proficiency Requirements for the UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The language proficiency requirement for the UK skilled worker visa is to have B1 level English language skills. Proof of language proficiency for the UK skilled worker visa is not required if there is a previous visa application that has documented English language proficiency and has been approved.
The level of English required for a UK skilled worker visa includes writing, reading, listening and speaking skills corresponding to level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Proof of language proficiency for a UK skilled worker visa includes passing a SELT test from an approved test provider, passing GCSE A level, passing Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher level at a UK school gained before the age of 18, having an academic level taught in English; those studying outside the UK must verify through Ecctis that they have the equivalent of a UK undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral degree.
What are the Required Documents for a UK Work Visa?
The documents required for a UK work visa are listed below.
- Passport: The passport must be valid for at least 3 months longer than the visa travel period. The passport must have a photo and at least one blank page. Photocopies of previously approved visas must also be made.
- UK work visa application form: The UK work visa application form must be filled out completely from the Gov.UK website.
- Biometric photo: For the UK work visa application, 2 biometric photos taken in the last 6 months are required. The dimensions of the biometric photos must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm long.
- Population registration sample: The population registration sample to be obtained for the UK skilled worker visa must be certified and include information about all family members. The population registration sample must be obtained via e-government with a barcode. The population registration sample will be proof of family relationships of the other spouses and children who will apply for the visa together with the applicant.
- UK certificate of sponsorship: The certificate of sponsorship is the UK COS certificate; the reference number on this certificate is used during the application process. If the applicant does not have a copy of the certificate of sponsorship, they must obtain one from their employer.
- Proof of financial capacity: Proof of financial capacity is a document showing that there are sufficient savings in bank accounts to finance living in the UK. The applicant must have a minimum set level of savings for their spouse and children. Proof of financial capacity is required unless the sponsorship document shows that the employer will support the applicant and their family.
- English language proficiency certificate: Exam results or academic education documents showing English proficiency at least at B1 level demonstrate English language proficiency.
- Criminal record: It can be obtained from Criminal Record Offices, District Governorships, Embassies for citizens of the Turkish Republic abroad, and now via e-government.
- UK work visa application fee: UK skilled worker visa application fees are paid during the online application.
A UK work visa may require additional documents in addition to the standard documents listed above, depending on the job the applicant has taken up and whether family members are travelling with the applicant. All documents prepared for a UK work visa must be in English.
Documents not in English must be translated into English by sworn translators. Applications for a UK skilled worker visa with incomplete documentation or without a COS document will be deemed invalid.
How to Get a Certificate of Sponsorship for a Work Permit in the UK?
Sponsorship certificates for work permits in the UK are obtained through the Sponsorship Management System. The Sponsorship Management System is an online system that allows the applicant’s employer to obtain a sponsorship certificate.
The Sponsorship Management System is a tool provided by the UK Home Office and employers obtain the sponsorship certificate required for migrant workers by requesting or creating a document in the system. It is possible to request and obtain a copy of the sponsorship certificate, which is an electronic record, from the employer.
The certificate of sponsorship for a work permit in the UK is provided below.
How to Get a UK Work Visa?
The UK work visa application is made online. The UK work visa application is made through the UK government website and the necessary documents are also uploaded online. Before applying through the Gov.Uk UK government website, it is necessary to obtain a valid job offer and sponsorship certificate from an approved sponsoring employer in the UK; then the other documents must be prepared and the online application must be made. After the UK work visa online application, the necessary biometric procedures must be carried out by going to the intermediary institution center.
The steps required to apply for a UK work visa are to register on the Gov.Uk website, select the type of visa applied for, fill in the online application form, register the GWF number on the online application form, pay the visa fee online, make an appointment at the visa application centre, go to the visa appointment with your passport and other documents and have your biometrics done.
Colour photocopies of A4 pages must be used for UK work visa documents. There must be no staples in the documents. Copies of original documents must be submitted as the documents used in UK work visa applications will not be returned.
The image of the UK work visa application portal is given below.
For UK work visa applications to be made under the consultancy of rsscanadaimmigration.com, firstly the personal conditions of the applicant and the necessary visa documents and supporting documents are examined by expert country consultants, and if the application is found suitable, the visa application is made with the document upload and visa appointment procedures.
How Much Does a UK Skilled Worker Visa Cost?
The UK skilled worker visa fee varies depending on the duration of travel and the applicant’s job. For a long-term UK work visa, the visa fee for up to 3 years is £625 per person, and for more than 3 years, the visa fee is £1,235 per person. If the applicant is employed in one of the urgently sought-after professions in the UK, the visa applicant and their family pay a lower visa fee.
The cost of a UK skilled worker visa is between 965 and 1,970 euros, including application fee, document control, sworn translation, online document upload and consultancy fees.
How Much is the Health Surcharge for a UK Work Visa?
The health surcharge for a UK work visa is usually £624. The health surcharge is paid for each year spent in the UK. The applicant is informed of the additional health surcharge to be paid during the UK work visa online application process.
How Long Does It Take to Get a UK Sponsored Work Visa?
The UK sponsored work visa is issued within 3 weeks if all documents are submitted, identity verification is done and there are no special circumstances. In cases where the UK sponsored work visa is delayed, document verification is required, an interview is requested or special circumstances occur, the applicant is contacted.
How to Track and Inquire about UK Work Visa?
The UK work visa tracking and inquiry process is done through the TLS Contact website after logging in via Gov.Uk. After the e-mail address from the Gov.Uk website is approved, you should log in from the application, click on the “Provide Documents and Biometrics” button and continue. Then, the person is directed to their account and the visa tracking is done through the “Track” option.
How Long Does It Take to Grant a UK Work Visa?
The UK work visa is granted for a period of 5 years. When there is a change of job or the employer of the current job changes, the visa must be updated and an extension must be made at the end of the visa period.
Can the Validity Period of the UK Skilled Worker Visa Be Extended?
The validity period of the UK skilled worker visa can be extended if the necessary conditions are met. When the UK skilled worker visa obtained to work in the UK is extended for up to 5 years, that is, when you reside in the UK for 5 years, you can apply for permanent residence. Permanent residence permit, also known as UK indefinite residence permit, grants the right to live, work and study freely in the UK.
Standard fees are charged for visa extension, visa change or visa update procedures carried out from within the UK. For visa procedures carried out from within the UK, a fee of 719 British pounds per person is required for visas up to 3 years, and 1,423 British pounds for visas longer than 3 years.
Is It Easy to Get a Work Visa from the UK?
Obtaining a work visa from the UK can be easy if you find a job with a suitable salary, have sponsorship from your employer and have documents proving your English language proficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequently asked questions to our experts regarding UK work visa procedures and the rights granted to visa holders are answered below.
What Visa Should Family Members of a UK Work Visa Holder Get?
Family members of a UK work visa holder must obtain a UK dependent visa. A UK dependent visa is granted to family members who meet the appropriate conditions and their visas are set to expire at the same time as the visa of a work visa holder who is granted a visa to work in the UK.
A UK work visa holder’s husband or wife, common-law partner or unmarried partner, children under the age of 18, including those born in the UK, and children over the age of 18 who are dependents of a UK work visa holder can travel to the UK with a UK dependent visa.
To obtain a UK dependent visa, family members must prove their relationship. The relationship between the work visa holder and the child over the age of 18 that the work visa holder is dependent on must be proven. The relationship between the work visa holder and their partner must be proven by a birth certificate or document showing that they are living together. The UK work visa holder must have lived together with their legal partner or unmarried partner for at least two years.
A document showing that the children of the UK work visa holder, who are between the ages of 16 and 18, including the age of 16, live in the same household as the work visa holder is required. When children between the ages of 16 and 18 study at a boarding school or study full-time at a college, a document showing that they receive financial support from the work visa holder is required for the UK dependent visa application.
What is the UK Tier 2 Work Visa Scoring System?
The UK Tier 2 work visa scoring system is a system that evaluates those who apply to work in the UK. The UK Visa and Immigration Agency evaluates UK Tier 2 work visa applications and calculates visa points.
The UK Tier 2 work visa scoring table is given below.
| Rated features | State of necessity | Point |
|---|---|---|
| Receiving a job offer from an approved sponsor | Compulsory | 20 |
| Finding work at the appropriate skill level | Compulsory | 20 |
| Having sufficient English speaking skills | Compulsory | 10 |
| Receiving a salary between £20,480 and £23,039, at least 80% of the salary determined by the work rate (whichever is higher) | Replaceable | 0 |
| Receiving a salary of between £23,040 and £25,599, at least 90% of the salary determined by the work rate (whichever is higher) | Replaceable | 10 |
| Receiving a salary of £25,600, equal to or more than the salary determined by the work rate, whichever is higher | Replaceable | 20 |
| Fulfillment of one of the urgent tasks determined by the Migration Solidarity Committee | Replaceable | 20 |
| New to the labor market | Replaceable | 20 |
| Have a doctorate in a work-related subject | Replaceable | 10 |
| Have a doctorate in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics field relevant to the job | Replaceable | 20 |
Tier 2 visa applicants wishing to work in the UK must achieve a minimum of 70 points on the Tier 2 scoring system to receive visa approval.
What are the rights gained with a UK work visa?
A UK work visa grants certain rights in the UK. A person with a UK work visa can work legally in a suitable job, bring family members to the UK if the conditions specified for family members are met, do extra work in certain situations, work as a volunteer, enter the UK many times, and apply for permanent residence if the work visa is extended for up to 5 years and the other conditions are met.
While a UK work visa holder has many rights, there are still some restrictions. Receiving benefits, applying for a UK state pension, changing jobs or employers without updating or changing your visa are all rights that people with a UK work permit do not have; to benefit from these rights, you need to have permanent residence or UK citizenship.
When Can You Gain Permanent Residence with a UK Work Permit?
UK work permit and indefinite residence is gained when the visa is extended for 5 years and a residence is made in the UK. People who work and reside in the UK for 5 years are entitled to apply for UK indefinite residence permit and if they meet the other requirements, this permit is granted.
In order to obtain UK citizenship with a UK work permit, it is first necessary to extend the visa and reside in the UK for 5 years. People who reside in the UK for 5 years with a UK work visa gain the right to apply for UK citizenship after obtaining a UK indefinite residence permit .
Can I Work in the UK with a British Lineage Visa?
It is possible to work in the UK with a British lineage visa. In order to obtain a lineage visa, the paternal grandmother or grandfather must be British and this must be proven.
How is the UK in terms of employment opportunities?
UK job opportunities vary from profession to profession. UK has a list of urgently needed professions and people who practice these professions can easily find a job and get a work visa. The professions sought in UK are generally in the fields of health services, chemistry and biochemistry, engineering and physical sciences, informatics and technology, design, technician and home care services.
Veterinarian, civil engineer, archaeologist, architect, software developer, day care worker, doctor or nurse, chemist, biochemist, geophysicist, electrical and electronics engineer, mechanical engineer, design and development engineer, manufacturing engineer, IT specialist, technician, web designer and developer, actuary, economist, bioinformatician, control and planning engineer, dancer, ballerina, artist, musician, graphic designer, laboratory technician, welder and related professions are the most suitable professions to work in the UK.
What are the Other Types of UK Work Visas?
Other types of UK work visas are listed below.
- UK healthcare worker visa
- UK worker visa
- UK tier 5 visa
- UK new graduate visa
- UK driver visa
- UK representative visa