How To Apply For Skilled Worker Visa From Outside the UK 2024

Applying for a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK allows international workers who have the necessary skills and qualifications to come to the UK and work for an approved employer.

This visa allows you to work and live in the UK with a job offer from a licensed employer. The challenge however is navigating how to apply for a skilled worker visa from outside the UK.

So, in this article, we’ll break down the steps you need to take. By the end of this article, you should know;

• What a UK skilled worker visa is
• Process to apply for a skilled worker visa from outside the UK
• Documents required to apply for a skilled worker visa
• Changing employers on a skilled worker visa
• Skilled worker visa extension

What is the UK skilled worker visa?

The UK skilled worker visa allows you to work in the UK as an international worker who possesses the necessary skills under a licensed employer. Formally, if you have the Tier 2 visa you can work in the UK but the skilled worker visa replaced that at the end of 2020.

The UK skilled worker visa is usually a long-term visa granted for up to five years. This duration solely depends on your certificate of sponsorship. This visa is only valid if you remain in the same role with your employer sponsoring the visa. Whenever you decide you want to switch roles or get a new employer you have to apply for a new skilled worker visa.

It is possible to extend your visa before it expires under the skilled worker route and after the five-year qualifying period, you can then apply for indefinite leave to remain and then you can apply for British citizenship after one if you intend to live in the UK.

It is important to note that before you can apply for a skilled worker visa, you will need to secure a job offer to work in the UK and ensure that you meet the requirements.

The process to apply for a skilled worker visa from outside the UK

Applying for a skilled worker visa from outside the UK is a straightforward process, you can only apply online on the home office website. You can begin the process once you have a job offer and have received your certificate of sponsorship.

It is important to note that you don’t have to have all the documents ready before you begin your application. You can always complete [part of the application, save your progress, and complete it later. Here is a step-by-step process to apply for a skilled worker visa from outside the UK;

• You need to check if you are eligible to apply for a skilled worker visa.
• Get a job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor
• Once you have a job offer, request your certificate of sponsorship from your employer (the employer must be in the UK).
• Ensure you have all documents to prove your eligibility
• Start your application by completing the form online and submitting it.
• You will be required to pay the application and biometric fees. There is also a healthcare surcharge too.
• Upload any documents that are required to back up your claim and support your application
• Book an appointment date to go for your biometric and photo capture.

The decision is usually within 3 weeks of your application if you applied from outside the UK, in some cases, there might be a delay which might take longer. In that case, you will be contacted by UKVI to inform you of what is required of you.

ALSO READ: Apply Within, Civil Engineering job in The UK at Mott MacDonald.

Documents required to apply for a skilled worker visa from outside the UK

These are the documents you will need to support your application for the skilled worker visa;

• Your passport
• The reference number on your certificate of sponsorship
• Your job title and the annual salary to be paid
• The occupation code for your job
• The license number of your sponsor and the name of your employer (will be in your certificate of sponsorship)
• Proof of sufficient personal savings, that you can support yourself.
• Proof of your relationship to your spouse or children if you have any
• Criminal record certificate. Note this is only necessary for certain occupations such as healthcare and education.
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Tb test result (if your country is on the list for which it is required).
• A UK PhD certificate. If your PhD is not from the UK then you have to present Ecctis Reference.

Upon completing the form, you will be given instructions on how to prove your identity and supply your biometrics for BRP (biometric residence permit).

In most cases, you will need to go to a visa application center in your country where you reside to do the capture. Alternatively, you can use the UK Immigration: ID check app to scan your identity documents and upload these to the Home Office.

UK skilled worker visa eligibility requirements

• You must have a job offer from a UK employer
• Your employer must be on the approved list of licensed sponsors by the Home Office
• You must be issued a certificate of sponsorship
• The job offer that you applied for must be on the list of eligible occupations
• You must meet the skill level requirements
• You must meet the English language requirements
• Have at least £1,270 in your savings to show you can support yourself when you get to the UK

Everything you need to know about changing employers on a skilled worker visa

Imagine you apply for a skilled worker visa from outside the UK, and it was granted and you get to the UK and you feel like you don’t like your employer and you wish to change your employer. It would interest you to know that you will need to apply for a new visa.

Let’s assume your work visa is still valid, you will be able to apply from within the UK while working and living here pending when the decision is made by the home office.
This is also the case when you have a second role with a different employer in a different occupation. You will need to apply for a new visa.

Your application to change jobs or your employer must be made 3 months before the start of your new job. Decision on your application can sometimes take up to 8 weeks which is why you must apply as early as possible.

Do not start working with your new employer until you have a positive decision from the Home Office as regards your application.

Skilled worker visa extension

It is possible to extend your visa duration before it expires on the condition that you still have the same occupation code as stated in your current visa under the same employer or sponsor.

If you wish to change your job, you will have to apply for a new visa as stated earlier. Also, you can extend your visa as many times as you wish, there are no limitations.