Skilled Worker visa
Overview
A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer.
This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa.
It also allows you to work in UK waters.
Eligibility
Your job
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:
- work for a UK employer that바카라 사이트™s been approved by the Home Office
- have a 바카라 사이트˜certificate of sponsorship바카라 사이트™ (CoS) from your employer with information about the role you바카라 사이트™ve been offered in the UK
- do a job that바카라 사이트™s on the list of eligible occupations
- be paid a minimum salary - how much depends on the type of work you do and the date you got your CoS
The specific eligibility depends on your job.
You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa.
Knowledge of English
You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You바카라 사이트™ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.
If you바카라 사이트™re not eligible for a Skilled Worker visa
You may be eligible for another type of visa to work in the UK.
How long you can stay
Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You바카라 사이트™ll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employer.
If you want to stay longer in the UK
You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.
After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as 바카라 사이트˜indefinite leave to remain바카라 사이트™). This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you바카라 사이트™re eligible.
How to apply
You must apply online.
How you apply depends on whether you바카라 사이트™re:
- outside the UK and are coming to the UK
- inside the UK and extending your current visa
- inside the UK and switching from a different visa
If you want to change your job or employer, you must apply to update your visa.
Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your 바카라 사이트˜dependants바카라 사이트™ if they바카라 사이트™re eligible.
How long it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
As part of your application, you바카라 사이트™ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You바카라 사이트™ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Getting a decision
Once you바카라 사이트™ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you바카라 사이트™ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you바카라 사이트™re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you바카라 사이트™re inside the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you바카라 사이트™ll be told if you can when you apply.
How much it costs
You, your partner or children will each need to:
- pay the application fee
- pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay
- prove you have enough personal savings
Check how much money you바카라 사이트™ll need.
If you work in public sector healthcare
If you바카라 사이트™re a doctor or nurse, or you work in health or adult social care, check if you바카라 사이트™re eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead. It바카라 사이트™s cheaper to apply for and you do not need to pay the annual immigration health surcharge.
What you can and cannot do
With a Skilled Worker visa you can:
- work in an eligible job
- study
- bring your partner and children with you as your 바카라 사이트˜dependants바카라 사이트™, if they바카라 사이트™re eligible
- take on additional work in certain circumstances
- travel abroad and return to the UK
- apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as 바카라 사이트˜indefinite leave to remain바카라 사이트™) if you바카라 사이트™ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements
- do voluntary work
Any voluntary work you do must be unpaid and for one of the following:
- a registered charity
- a voluntary organisationÂ
- an associated fundraising body (an organisation that raises money for a charity or voluntary organisation)
- a statutory body (a government-appointed body, for example Historic England)
You cannot:
- apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
- change jobs or employer unless you apply to update your visa
If your application is successful, you바카라 사이트™ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Skilled Worker visa.