This blog is a guide for you to teach about the UK work permit eligibility, UK Work Permit Visa Requirements, application processes, processing times, and how to apply for UK Work Visa. And also know about other categories to suit your profile and proceed confidently.
Understanding the UK Work Permit Visa
The UK Work Permit is a legal document offered by the UK Visas and Immigration(UKVI). Through this permit, a foreign National is allowed into the UK to work in a demanding industry. Post-Brexit, the UK have brought many changes to the Immigration policies. For instance, the UK Immigration have introduced a points-based system for work visa approval and processing. Many factors are taken into consideration to evaluate the applicant’s application and the score. The factors are job offer, salary, English proficiency, and skill level.Types of UK Work Visas
- Skilled Worker Visa: This is the most commonly opted route by most skilled professionals around the world. To clear this route to enter the UK, one has to get a job offer from a licensed sponsor or employer in the UK.
- Intra-Company Transfer Visa: This visa is given to employees who are transferred from any of the multinational companies around the world to the UK branch.
- Health and Care Worker Visa: This visa is drafted by the UK immigration for working professionals, like medical professionals. While applying through this visa, the applicant enjoys lower fees compared to other programs, and the visa processing time is also faster when compared to other streamlined programs.
- Global Talent Visa: This is considered an honoured visa as this visa is given to the applicants who are recognised as leaders or emerging leaders in fields like science, humanities, engineering, the arts, and technology.
UK Visa Eligibility Criteria
General Requirements
If the candidate desires to work in the UK and applies for the visa, they should possess the eligibility for a smoother process without giving room for any denial period. The criteria are listed below for your reference.- The applicant must acquire a valid job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor license.
- A Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) is required for an eligible applicant, this certificate must be issued by the employer.
- The applicant must have a certificate to submit as Proof of English language proficiency, by taking tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
- The applicant must have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in the UK unless their sponsor certifies to sponsor them for their expenses and maintenance.
Specific Requirements for Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker applying for a Skilled Worker visa must fulfil some of the UK Work Permit Visa Requirements:- Job Offer: The applicant must acquire a job offer letter from a legal and approved UK employer to proceed with the visa process smoothly.
- Skill Level: The job they are opting for must be at RQF Level 3 or above, which may be equivalent to A-level category.
- Salary Threshold: The applicant's salary for the visa starts from the minimum level of 26,200 pounds per year or 10.75 pounds per hour, whichever is higher.
- English Proficiency: The applicant must have completed the proficiency test to reflect their English eligibility, which can be demonstrated through an approved English language test, IELTS.
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
This visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees to their UK branch without needing a separate job offer. Eligibility depends on the role's skill level and salary. Through this visa, the current employees of the multinational companies who are from other branch countries can transfer to the UK branch. For this visa, the employee does not need to submit a job offer letter separately. The eligibility of the candidate may differ with the employee’s job role or skill level, and salary.How to Apply for UK Work Visa
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Secure a Job Offer: The applicant must secure a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor license.
- Receive Certificate of Sponsorship: After getting approval of sponsorship from the employer, they will issue the Certificate of Sponsorship. It is important to secure and keep it safe.
- Prepare Required Documents: The applicant must organise the necessary documents, like a passport, proof of qualifications, English test results, and financial evidence.
- Complete Online Application: The applicant must go to the official website of the UK Immigration and fill out the visa application form.
- Pay Fees: The final step must be completed with careful payment for the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- Attend Biometrics Appointment: The applicant must attend the biometric appointments and should give their fingerprints and photographs at a visa application centre.
- Await Decision: The applicant must wait for the visa result. The processing times vary with the visas, mostly 3 weeks of processing time for applications from outside the UK and 8 weeks from within.
UK Work Visa Processing Time
The Processing times for UK Work Permit Visas are different for every visa, and they are determined by several factors of UK work visa processing time:- Applications Outside the UK: The processing period is within 3 weeks.
- Applications Within the UK: For a visa within the UK, it will typically take around 8 weeks.
- Factors Affecting Processing: Some of the factors may affect the processing time, which will prolong the time. The factors are Application volume, completeness of documentation, and individual circumstances.
UK Skilled Worker visa requirements
Organising the accurate documents is key for a perfect profile for the UK Work Permit Visa application, including:- Valid Passport: The applicant must have a valid passport with the valid details that include the personal details, residential details and the validity of the passport.
- Certificate of Sponsorship: A valid certificate issued by your UK employer is a mandatory document.
- Proof of English Language Proficiency: A certificate reflecting the results from approved exams.
- Financial Evidence: Documents demonstrating your proof of funds, like Bank statements or sponsor certification.
- Educational and Professional Qualifications: Degree certificates
All the best!
