Are you a Kenyan interested in living and working in the UK? If so, the Skilled Worker Visa might be the perfect route for you. This article provides a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the application process and understand the eligibility criteria.
The IHS grants you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during your stay. The IHS costs £624 per year for adults and £470 per year for children under 18. The IHS must be paid for the entire duration of the visa.
Visa application fees depend on the visa length and whether the job is a shortage occupation.
I hope this guide provides a clear understanding of the UK Skilled Worker Visa application process. Securing a visa can be complex, but you can navigate it successfully with the correct information and preparation.
Here is a table showing a selection of flights, including their itinerary and price:
Eligibility for a Skilled Worker Visa
To qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must have a job offer from a UK employer with a Home Office-approved sponsorship license. This employer will assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a unique reference number containing information about the job offer and your details. The job offer must meet the following criteria:- It must be a genuine vacancy in an eligible skilled occupation.
- The role must be at or above the minimum skill level defined by the UK government.
- 3You must be offered a salary that meets or exceeds the relevant minimum salary threshold set by the UK Government.
Understand the Skilled Worker Point System
The Skilled Worker Visa operates on a points-based system. Applicants must secure 50 mandatory points (for sponsorship, job, and English language skills) and 20 tradeable points (for salary and other attributes). Here's how the points are awarded:- Sponsorship (20 points): You must have a valid job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor in an eligible skilled occupation.
- Job at Appropriate Skill Level (20 points): The job offer must be at or above the minimum skill level defined by the UK government.
- English Language Requirement (10 points): You must prove your knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test at the required level (currently CEFR level B1 or above).
- Salary Threshold (20 points): The salary offered must meet or exceed the relevant minimum salary threshold set by the UK government.
- Other Attributes (0-20 points): Additional points can be awarded for various attributes, such as holding a Ph.D. in a relevant field or working in a shortage occupation.
Meeting the Salary and Tradeable Points Requirements
To qualify for the Skilled Worker Visa, you must score 50 points from the mandatory criteria and 20 points from the tradeable criteria. The minimum salary that sponsors must pay is the highest of the following amounts for each tradeable points option:- The relevant general threshold of £25,600, £23,040, £20,800, or £20,480, depending on the tradeable points option.
- The going rate for a specific occupation according to Appendix Skilled Occupations.
- A minimum of £10.10 per hour for Options A to E, even if this is higher than the going rate.
English Language Requirement
You must demonstrate your English language proficiency by meeting the English language requirement. This can be done by passing an approved English language test at the required level (CEFR level B1 or above), holding a degree taught or researched in English and recognized by UK NARIC, or being a national of a majority English-speaking country.Sufficient Funds for Maintenance
You must show that you have enough money to support yourself without recourse to public funds from the UK government. This can be done by having personal savings of at least £1,270 held for a consecutive 28-day period before applying for the visa or having your sponsor confirm on the CoS that they will provide you with at least £1,270 to cover your first month in the UK.Health and TB Testing
Applicants from certain countries must undergo tuberculosis (TB) testing at an approved clinic before submitting their visa application. In addition, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your application.The IHS grants you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during your stay. The IHS costs £624 per year for adults and £470 per year for children under 18. The IHS must be paid for the entire duration of the visa.
Visa Application Steps:
- Job Search: Search for jobs on LinkedIn, Euraxess, Indeed, Naukri, and more.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): After a successful job interview, you will receive a CoS from your UK employer.
- Eligibility Check: Ensure you meet the English language requirement, financial requirement, and other eligibility criteria.
- Online Application: Complete the online application form and upload the required documents.
- Fees: Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and visa application fee.
- Biometric Appointment: Attend a biometric appointment to provide fingerprints and a digital photograph at a designated visa application centre.
- Document Submission: Submit any required supporting documents, such as tuberculosis test results, bank statements, or English language test results.
Required Documents:
- Valid passport or travel document
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Proof of financial requirement (maintenance funds)
- Tuberculosis test results (if applicable)
- UK NARIC statement of comparability (if using a non-UK degree to meet the English language requirement)
Visa Processing Timelines and Fees
The standard processing time for a Skilled Worker Visa application is within 3 weeks. However, processing times may vary depending on the applicant’s country of residence and the complexity of the application.Visa application fees depend on the visa length and whether the job is a shortage occupation.
Rights and Privileges of Skilled Worker Visa Holders
As a Skilled Worker Visa holder, you can work for your sponsor in the job described in the CoS, take on a second job under certain circumstances, engage in voluntary work, study, travel abroad and return to the UK, bring family members to the UK, and apply for permanent settlement after living in the UK for five years and meeting eligibility requirements.I hope this guide provides a clear understanding of the UK Skilled Worker Visa application process. Securing a visa can be complex, but you can navigate it successfully with the correct information and preparation.
Are you Travelling from The Unites States of America?
Based on a search for flights from New York to London for June 2023, prices for flights start at $960. Non-stop flights start at $971. The shortest duration of one flight leg is 6h 40m. The shortest total trip duration is 14h 20m.Here is a table showing a selection of flights, including their itinerary and price:
| Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Airline | Stops | Full Price | Booking URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EWR | LHR | Jun 1 7:55a | Jun 1 7:50p | British Airways | non-stop | $1,081 | Link |
| EWR | LHR | Jun 1 7:55a | Jun 1 7:50p | American Airlines | non-stop | $1,081 | Link |
| JFK | LHR | Jun 1 7:55a | Jun 1 7:35p | British Airways | non-stop | $1,210 | Link |
