Skilled Worker

Overview

The Skilled Worker visa route allows an individual to come to the UK to undertake an eligible job with an approved employer. 

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa and be issued a certificate of sponsorship from their employer/prospective employer, an applicant must score a minimum of 70 points.

With the introduction of the New Immigration Plan from 4th April 2024 it is imperative that the Staff Immigration Team are contacted prior to a verbal offer being made to ensure a role is sponsorable and that the minimum score of 70 points can be met.

Points are scored in the following way:

Non-Tradeable

• have a current job or job offer from a UK employer which has been approved by the Home Office, such as the University of Bristol (20 points).
• do a job on the list of eligible occupations, at an appropriate skill level (RQF Level 3, at least A-Level or equivalent) (20 points).
• speak, read and write English and be able to prove knowledge of English on application at level B1 (10 points).
  

Tradeable

• be paid a minimum salary which is dependent on the job that meets the salary threshold or going rate, whichever is highest (20 points).
• OR
• be paid a slightly lower salary and hold a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job (20 points).
  OR
• be paid a slightly lower salary and hold a Phd relevant to the role* (10 points) combined with salary points.
  * if the PhD/salary points combined do not meet the minimum 70 points then it might be possible to use the new entrant route.

It may also be possible to ‘trade points’ by holding a job on the Immigration Salary List or by being a ‘new entrant’ to the labour market.

The visa can last for 5 years before needing to extend it. There is no limit on how many times the visa can be extended if the eligibility requirements are met. After 5 years it may be possible to apply to settle permanently in the UK. There are a number of responsibilties for a sponsored visa holder that need to be maintained by the visa holder when they commence their role.

Process

A Skilled Worker visa is granted by the Home Office (UKVI) when: 

• A Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) has been assigned by the University.
• A subsequent visa application is submitted by the individual which meets the Home Office eligibility requirements. Applications must be made on-line.

How to apply depends on whether an applicant is applying from outside the UK, extending their current visa, or switching from a different visa.

ATAS

Any individual who will be undertaking research activities, at PhD level or above, in one of the Academic Subjects/Fields of Research relevant to ATAS, (the same as for students) will be required to obtain a free of charge ATAS certificate before they can apply for a visa to work in the UK.

Complete the ATAS checker to determine if an ATAS certificate is required. The HECoS mapping tool (Office document, 100kB) may be helpful if you are not familiar with CAH codes (the mapping tool links HECoS codes to the correct CAH code) along with the ATAS guide (PDF, 434kB)

The ‌ details the nationalities, SOC codes and CAH codes that apply to ATAS.

Applying for the visa

An applicant can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day they are due to start work in the UK. As part of the application they may need an appointment to prove their identity and provide documents.

Once the application is complete and all documents are provided (via appointment if necessary), a decision should be made within:

• 3 weeks if outside the UK once an individual has attended their appointment at the visa application centre or used the ID check app.
• 8 weeks if inside the UK.

Getting an appointment to prove identity and to submit documents can take time so start dates should be realistic to reflect this.

Further Information

Full detailed guidance on the skilled worker visa can be found on the Home Office pages

Should Faculties/Departments/Schools wish to employ an applicant under the Skilled Worker visa route they should contact the Staff Immigration Team at the earliest opportunity and before a verbal offer is made.

Last updated 15/4/2024