whether you are a business trying to recruit a skilled worker from abroad or an individual asking for a sponsorship visa. Your application money will be forfeited if it is rejected.

The Skilled Worker visa enables qualified persons to go to the UK and work for a recognised employer in a position that qualifies. In this article, we will discuss the top 10 FAQs about the Skilled Worker visa application. 

1. What are the prerequisites for obtaining a skilled worker visa?

A candidate must receive 70 points to be qualified for the Skilled Worker visa category, which has four basic requirements:

• A licenced sponsor must have made a job offer to the candidate and be awarded a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
• The work must fit into a suitable occupation code that may be found in Appendix Skilled Occupations and be at an adequate skill level—at least RFQ level 3.
• The pay must meet a minimum standard. Typically, this must be a wage that is equal to (or more than) the higher general salary threshold of £25,600 per year or the "going rate" for the occupation. There are, however, several exceptions to this rule, and depending on various qualifying paths under tradable points, a lesser wage may be permissible.
• The candidate must meet an English language prerequisite.

The Appendix Skilled Worker to the Immigration Rules contains all of the criteria in their completeness.

2. What documents must applicants provide with their visa application?

• Reference number on the sponsorship certificate.
• Proof of their English language proficiency 
• A current passport or equivalent proof of identification and citizenship.
• Job title and yearly compensation.
• Code for the job's profession.
• Personal savings evidence to demonstrate their ability to maintain themselves in the UK in the event that their CoS does not confirm certified maintenance.
• Tuberculosis (TB) test outcomes from one of the nations on the list.

3. How long can an employee stay in the UK under a skilled worker visa?

The original visa can be valid for up to five years before needing to be extended, according to the Home Office. A CoS is nonetheless assigned in accordance with the duration of the employment contract (if it is a fixed-term contract) or for a preliminary period of 3 years with the purpose of extending if employment.

An employee with a skilled worker visa may request extensions as many as they'd like, provided they continue to match the qualifying standards. After five years of continuous residence in the UK, this method may result in Indefinite Leave to Remain.

4. How long does it take to process a visa?

Up to three months before the employee's start date in the UK, they can submit their visa application; the date is also included on their Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

The decision is often rendered within: - 3 weeks, if the applicant is located outside of the UK, after they have applied online, verified their identity, and submitted their supporting documentation. If they are inside the UK, 8 weeks.

5. What are the Financial Requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa?

The candidate must demonstrate that they have the resources necessary to support themselves in the UK. Bank statements are not usually necessary for this. A person who has "certified maintenance" on their certificate of sponsorship from an A-rated sponsor is exempt from providing extra financial documentation. Similar to this, a person who has been in the UK for the full 12 months previous to applying for permission to stay is exempt from providing proof of finances. Those who do not fulfil the aforementioned requirements must present bank statements from the 28 days before their application that demonstrate at least £1270 in their personal bank account.

6. What is the procedure for applying for a skilled worker visa?

The procedure of applying for a skilled worker visa is often straightforward.

• On the gov.uk website, sign up, fill out, and submit an online form.
• Pay the proper visa charges including the immigration health surcharge and biometric enrolment fees, where applicable.
• Visit the operator's website to schedule a biometric appointment (where applicable)
• Upload scanned copies of any necessary records to a website.
• Attend the appointment to enrol biometric information, such as a photograph and fingerprints, if necessary.

Some applicants may be qualified to use the Home Office-approved APP to verify their identification, including EU citizens and some non-EU citizens. While an in-person biometric appointment is not necessary, the candidate must still complete an online form. They would instead submit a photo of themselves on the APP.

7. Can someone switch from another visa category to the skilled worker category?

Most of the time, switching to the skilled worker option is achievable without departing the UK.

A few people who cannot change to the Skilled Worker path include individuals who now hold or formerly held the following permissions:

• Visitor
• Short-term student; 
• Dependent visa; 
• Seasonal worker; 
• Domestic worker in a private residence.

8. What are the point-based immigration requirements for applications for a skilled worker visa?

A total of 70 points must be earned by the candidate. These will consist of the following required and "tradeable" points:-

• 20 Points are Required for Sponsorship by a Licensed Sponsor.
• Mandatory 20 Points - a job at the correct skill level for sponsorship
• Mandatory 10 points correspond to a B1 level of English (CEFR)

9. What conditions must be met for the Certificate of Sponsorship?

Before the worker can file an application for a visa, their UK sponsor must first provide them with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), attesting that the person and their job qualify for sponsorship.

The CoS is a reference number that must be included with the Home Office application for a skilled worker visa. A CoS may only be issued by authorised sponsors. The defined Certificate of Sponsorship and the undefined Certificate of Sponsorship are the two types of certificates available.

Undefined CoS are for either: employees who are currently in the UK on a valid visa and are applying to transfer to the skilled worker category from another immigration route, or for those applying under one of the other visa channels from the UK or abroad.

Defined CoS are for applications for foreign skilled worker visas (not ICT applications).

10. What can I do if my application for the Skilled Worker visa is turned down?

A denial of a Skilled Worker route application submitted from outside or inside the UK is presently not subject to the right of appeal. You could, however, be able to request an administrative review or judicial review. 

Why should you seek assistance with a Skilled Worker visa application from A Y J Solicitors?

For competent and talented individuals who wish to immigrate to the UK in order to further their professions, establish their enterprises, or begin a new life with their families, our experienced business and personal immigration attorneys frequently achieve success.

We are professionals in Skilled Worker visa applications and offer focused and efficient help for your application process from start to end. We have more than ten years of expertise behind us. We'll also work with you to make sure that your family members may come to the UK and live with you as your dependents. You may be confident that with our assistance, your visa procedure will go well because we are a Legal 500-recognized company with hundreds of satisfied clients to our credit.

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