The Skilled Worker visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This article has been written to help you better understand whether you’re eligible and, if so, which documents you’ll need to apply.
- What is a Skilled Worker visa and who is eligible?
- The documents required to apply for a Skilled Worker visa
- Health and Care Visa
What is a Skilled Worker visa and who is eligible?
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.
To be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- 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
To view a list of the eligible occupations, click here.
The documents required to apply for a Skilled Worker visa
Below is a detailed list of the documents that you will need for your Skilled Worker visa application.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
A CoS holds your personal details and information about the job that you have been offered.
The hospital who have offered you a job will apply for a certificate of sponsorship and, once granted, this will be assigned to you.
You will need your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number to add to your application. You cannot submit your application without a CoS.
It is important to note that this is an electronic document (not paper) and you can only use your CoS reference number once.
Proof of English knowledge
You will need to prove your knowledge of English language when you apply for your Skilled Worker visa.
If you’re being sponsored to work as a doctor, dentist, nurse or midwife you will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’ve already passed an English Language assessment that is accepted by the relevant regulated professional body.
This means that you can use your OET or IELTS Academic certificate however, you will need to ensure that you:
1) attach your GMC certificate or GMC ID Check invite
2) clearly note on the application that your English Language skills were tested for the purpose of GMC registration.
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA.
A valid passport (or other document that shows your identity and nationality)
You will need to provide a valid passport or other document which evidences your identity and nationality as part of your visa application.
Job details
As part of your visa application, you will need to input the details of your job. This information should align with the information on your CoS.
Examples of the information that you will need to provide will be your employers name, your employers sponsor licence number, your job title, your annual salary and your job occupation code.
As part of your visa application, you will need to detail whether the job that you have been offered is eligible for the Health and Care visa.
Criminal record certificate
If you’re applying for your visa from outside of the UK, you’ll need to provide a criminal record certificate.
If you’ve lived in more than one country, you might need to provide a certificate from each country you’ve lived in. This depends on your age and how long you stayed in each country.
- If you’re under 28, you’ll need a certificate from any country you’ve stayed in for a total of 12 months or more since you turned 18.
- If you’re 28 or over, you’ll need a certificate from any country you’ve stayed in over the last 10 years.
TB test clearance certificate
If you reside in any of these countries, then you will be required to provide a Tuberculosis clearance certificate as part of your visa application.
You must be tested at a clinic that has been approved by the Home Office – This information can be found using this link.
Confirmation of maintenance
As part of your visa application, you will need to evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK.
It is likely that the hospital who have offered you a position will confirm maintenance on your CoS however, if not, then you must be able to pay the visa application fee have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.
You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.
You will not need to evidence this if either:
- you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
- your employer confirm maintenance
Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. You can check how much they’ll need by clicking here.
Additional documentation
You may be asked to provide additional documentation, such as:
- Your certificate of registration with the GMC or confirmation of your GMC ID Check invite
- A cover letter supporting your application
- proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you
- Any expired passports or recent travel documents (if you need to provide further detail on your travel history)
- your UK PhD certificate or your unique UK NARIC reference number if your qualification is from outside the UK – you’ll need to apply for this through the UK NARIC Visas and Nationality Service
Every individual visa application is different. Depending on your circumstances, the home office may require more documentation/information from you.
Health and Care Visa
As part of your visa application, you will need to detail whether the job that you have been offered is eligible for the Health and Care visa. This will be stated on your CoS.
If so, you’ll benefit from fast-tracked processing times together with reduced visa fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. To read more about the Health and Care visa and to check whether you’re eligible, click here.
