Skilled Worker Visa

I’ve assembled all relevant information about the Skilled Worker visa and made a cohesive guide for you, so you know how to employ me.

The requirements

I’ve divided this into two parts as the requirements for me and you go hand-in-hand.

Me

To be approved for a Skilled Worker visa, I must:

  • 1. Do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
  • 2. Have sufficient knowledge of English (score of B2 on an approved SELT-test) → I have CEFR level B2 (IETLS for UKVI)
  • 3. Have funds to pay the application fee, healthcare surcharge and prove I’ve had £1,270 untouched in my bank 28 days before applying for the visa
  • 4. Be paid a minimum salary of £33,400 a year*
  • 5. Have a ‘certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from an employer

    • * £33,400 is the going rate for the job code 2142 (Multimedia and graphic designers) as stated by the Home Office. Offers below this level are unlikely to meet the Skilled Worker Visa requirements. For more information: Skilled Worker Visa Immigration Salary List

    You

    In order for you to hire me and give me a ‘certificate of sponsorship’, you must:

  • 1. Have a valid worker sponsor license, approved by The Home Office
  • 2. Pay a fee of £525 to give a ‘certificate of sponsorship’
  • 3. Pay the Immigration Skills Charge of £364-£1000 per year**

    • The certificate of sponsorship must show that the job and salary meet the visa requirements.

    ** The Immigration Skills Charge rate depends on the size of your company, but for my job, they require you to pay the annual charge, you can check the rules here: Immigration Skills Charge

    Timeline - the next 6 months

    This timeline is indicative and intended to give a general idea of the process. The timeline is divided into 4 steps.

    1

    The first month

    We have an interview — online or in person. If we’re a strong match, you issue a job offer.

    2

    The following month

    You assign me a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). Defined CoS approvals are typically processed within 1 working day. The cost for the certificate to employ me is £525.

    3

    Up to 8 weeks after applying for the visa

    Using the CoS, I submit my Skilled Worker visa application from Denmark. Processing time for overseas applicants is usually up to 8 weeks. Applicants must apply within 3 months of the job’s start date, so timing may affect when I submit the application.

    4

    About 2 months

    After my visa is approved, I resign from my current job, arrange housing in Scotland, and prepare for relocation.

    If you don't have a license

    Don’t worry — it’s not as complicated as it sounds. If you’d like to interview me or offer me a job but don’t currently have a sponsorship licence, I’ll guide you through the process below.

  • 1. Check if your business is eligible

    To qualify for a sponsor licence, your company must have clean compliance history, no recent licence revocations, and proper systems to monitor sponsored workers. UKVI will check your documents and may visit your business to confirm you can meet your responsibilities.

  • 2. Choose which type of license you want to apply for

    You can choose between the Worker and Temporary Worker license. To hire me you will have to choose the Worker license as I’m not going to be a temporary worker.

  • 3. Decide who will manage sponsorship within your business

    To sponsor me, the company just needs to assign one trusted UK-based employee to manage the visa in the online sponsorship management system (SMS). This can be done by one person or split across a small team. Once assigned, the company can submit the licence application.

  • 4. Apply for your licence online and pay the fee

    Once you have finished the online application, you need to send in:

  • 1. the submission sheet at the end of the application
  • 2. your supporting documents, if you’re asked to

    • Most applications are dealt with in less than 8 weeks. UKVI may need to visit your business. You’ll be told how to ask for a faster decision after you apply.

    List of license fees

    Type of licence Fee for small or charitable sponsors Fee for medium or large sponsors
    Worker £574 £1,579
    Temporary Worker £574 £574
    Worker and Temporary Worker £574 £1,579
    Add a Worker licence to an existing Temporary Worker licence No fee £1,005
    Add a Temporary Worker licence to an existing Worker licence No fee No fee

    Sources