Securing a Skilled Worker visa should feel like the beginning of something exciting. In reality, for many people it can create a lot of anxiety. The rules feel complex and just one error could potentially result in a refusal that disrupts everything you have worked towards.
At Reeds Solicitors, we understand what is at stake. This visa application could affect your career, your family and your future. Our skilled worker visa solicitors are here to make sure your application is prepared with the care and attention that it deserves. We will take the time to understand your situation, give you honest advice and navigate a clear path to the outcome you need.
Contact Reeds Solicitors today on 0333 240 7373 or email [email protected] to speak with a specialist that will help secure your future.
How the Skilled Worker Visa Works
The Skilled Worker visa is the most common route for overseas nationals to live and work in the UK. To be eligible, you must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that holds a Home Office-approved sponsor licence. Your employer will issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship, which captures your role, your salary and your start date. You must also meet the relevant salary threshold for your occupation, demonstrate English language proficiency and show you have enough personal savings to support yourself on arrival.
Your visa can last up to five years before it needs to be renewed. You will need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employer. After five years, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, giving you the permanent right to live and work in the UK.
What the Law Requires for a Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Wrker visa route operates on a points-based system, with salary assessed as a tradeable factor. Applicants must meet the applicable salary threshold and going rate requirements under the Immigration Rules. This is frequently updated/amended. However, the minimum salary you must have depends on many factors. This includes job qualifications and whether you are extending an existing Skilled Worker visa. However, salary varies by occupation and some applicants may qualify for reduced thresholds.
Contact Reeds Solicitors today on 0333 240 7373 or email [email protected] to speak with a specialist that will help secure your future.
Support for Employers and Sponsors
Reeds Solicitors also advises UK employers on:
- Sponsor licence applications
- Skilled Worker sponsorship compliance
- Certificate of Sponsorship allocation
- Right to work obligations
- Home Office audits
- Sponsor licence suspensions and revocations
We support businesses of all sizes with practical immigration and compliance advice.
Contact:
[email protected]
At Reeds Solicitors, we are not just your typical legal firm. We are here to support you every step of the way to get you the best possible outcome.
We thoroughly assess your eligibility before you apply, so there are no surprises once your application is submitted. We look at your salary calculation, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code and Certificate of Sponsorship in detail. This is where many applications fail and therefore where we focus our attention.
We will always give you honest advice based on our years of experience. We anticipate the obstacles that may come your way and guide you clearly through the application process.
Reeds Solicitors is an award-winning, leading multi-disciplinary law firm with 22 offices throughout England and Wales. We provide legal services nationally and frequently listed in the Legal 500 as a top-tier practice. We bring this experience and dedication to your Skilled Worker visa application.
The Skilled Worker visa is an important application to make. The rules are strict and the cost of getting it wrong could change your career trajectory. At Reeds Solicitors, we share your journey through the legal process every step of the way. We support you through every stage of the process
Whether you are applying for the first time, extending your current visa or planning your path to permanent settlement in the UK, our team is here to help.
Contact Reeds Solicitors today on 0333 240 7373 or email [email protected] to speak with a specialist that will help secure your future.
Frequently Asked Questions
You are not legally required to use a solicitor, but the rules are detailed. Errors in salary calculations, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes or eligibility evidence are among the most common causes of refusal. Many of them are entirely avoidable with expert legal support. A skilled worker visa solicitor makes sure your application is accurate before it is sent off.
The minimum salary for a skilled worker visa is £41,700 per year. If you qualify as a new entrant, the threshold under Option E is £33,400 per year. Health and Care roles may have different thresholds. Only guaranteed gross PAYE salary counts. Bonuses and overtime must be excluded. This is subject to regular review and amendment so should be checked at the time of consulting with a Solicitor.
The most common reasons a Skilled Worker Visa is refused includes:
- Salary falling below the required percentage of the occupation’s going rate.
- The wrong occupation code being used.
- Inconsistency between the Certificate of Sponsorship and employment contract.
- Lack of English language proficiency
Yes, your partner and children may also be able to apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’. Each dependant must apply separately, and you must provide evidence of your relationship to your dependant when you apply.
If you are applying from outside the UK, you can typically expect a decision within three weeks. You can apply up to three months before your start date as shown on your Certificate of Sponsorship. Faster decision options may be available at additional cost.
You cannot change jobs or employers without first applying to update your Skilled Worker visa. Your new employer must hold a sponsor licence and must issue a new Certificate of Sponsorship. Making a change without updating your visa is a breach of your immigration conditions. At Reeds Solicitors, we can guide you through the process of switching roles while protecting your immigration status.
Contact us on 0333 240 7373 or at [email protected] to get immediate support.
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