UK is the world’s business hub with lots of job opportunities attracting work force from around the world for a rewarding career. Depending on your qualifications and professional experience the opportunities are wide and varied.
Skilled Worker Visas
The Skilled Worker visa enables individuals to come to or remain in the UK for employment in an eligible role with a licensed sponsor.
This visa has replaced the former Tier 2 (General) work visa.
It also permits you to work in UK territorial waters.
Eligibility
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:
- work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office.
- have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK.
- do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations.
- be paid a minimum salary – how much depends on the type of work you do.
- you need to be at least 18 years of age.
- you will be required to provide the relevant SOC code for your job.
- you will have to show that you can maintain yourself without recourse to public funds.
- you can generally switch to this visa if you are in the UK with permission for more than 6 months (but not as a visitor). You cannot switch into this route if you were granted leave outside the rules.
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. You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.
What you can and cannot do
You can:
- work in an eligible job
- study
- bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
- take on additional work in certain circumstances
- do voluntary work
- travel abroad and return to the UK
- apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements
You cannot:
- apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
- change jobs or employer unless you apply to update your visa
How long you can stay
Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You’ll need to apply to extend or update your visa before 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 ‘indefinite leave to remain’). This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible
Health and Care Worker visa
A Health and Care Worker visa allows medical professionals to come to or remain in the UK to work in an eligible role with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or within adult social care.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must:
- be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care professional
- work in an eligible health or social care occupation
- be employed by a UK organisation that is approved by the Home Office
- have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer detailing the job offer in the UK
- receive a minimum salary – the amount varies depending on the type of work
You must have a confirmed job offer before submitting your visa application.
Knowledge of English
You must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English. In most cases, you’ll need to demonstrate your English proficiency as part of your application.
What you can and cannot do
You can:
- work in a qualifying job
- take on additional work under certain conditions
- participate in voluntary work
- undertake studies
- bring your partner and children to the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they qualify
- travel abroad and return to the UK
- apply for permanent settlement in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) after 5 years, provided you meet the criteria
You cannot:
- access most public benefits or the State Pension
- switch jobs or employers without updating your visa
How long you can stay
This visa can be granted for up to 5 years at a time. You must apply to renew or update your visa when it expires or if you change your job or employer.
If you want to stay longer in the UK
You may renew your visa as many times as you wish, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
After living in the UK for 5 years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent settlement (indefinite leave to remain). This grants you the right to live, work, and study in the UK without time limits and allows you to apply for benefits if eligible.
Note: The above information is sourced from https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa and https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa They are subject to change in line with Home Office updates. Please contact us for updated information.