The job market in the UK is pretty open to foreigners, and what’s even more important, the offer of jobs is vast. That is why so many people apply for UK skilled worker visas every year, but before you start planning your life in the UK, let’s go through the basics of how this process works, what the requirements are, and how to apply.
It must be done online
The first thing to mention is that applying must be done online, and the application can vary on the situation, and it is not the same for those who do that for the first time and applying outside the UK and those who apply from the UK and want to extend the visa, or switch from some other. Filling out the online form is not difficult, but since there are many requirements and it is necessary to provide many documents, sometimes it is better to hire a professional who will make the entire process much easier and less time-consuming. Regarding that, if you want to get your skilled worker visa UK, hiring a professional is the best decision you can make, especially if you want to ensure you won’t be denied and you will get it as soon as possible.
Approval rate
The good thing about this type of Visa is that it has one of the highest approval rates, where more than 99% of people’s applications are approved. It’s needless to state how great this sounds for everyone who plans to apply for UK Skilled worker Visa. On the other hand, due to specific requirements and the fact that not just anyone can apply because it’s logical that those who have all the necessary documents and have met all the criteria will easily get their application approved, which is also a reason why the waiting period is much shorter.
The waiting period
Many people believe that the waiting period lasts at least several months, and even though that’s usually the case, you will be glad to know that for this type of Visa, that period is much shorter. Namely, a common practice is that applicants get an answer within three weeks, which considering how some people wait for six months to get an answer regarding their Visa application, is extremely beneficial as you have enough time to sort things out and plan a trip and your stay in the UK.
Understandably, this waiting period is when applicants have submitted all the necessary paperwork, and no additional documents are required. If not, the waiting period can be much longer depending on the type of additional paperwork required and the time needed to send those papers. The great thing is that if the waiting period lasts longer than three weeks, you will be contacted in time, meaning that you will know precisely how much you will have to wait for a response.
Who qualifies?
There are certain requirements a person must meet in order to prove they are eligible and apply for a skilled worker visa, and it is important to be well-informed before filling out the application, to improve the chances of getting it. People who do not check all the requirements and cannot prove their eligibility will be denied, which is why it is important to check everything twice and prepare well.
Knowledge of the English language
It is impossible to get a skilled worker visa in the UK without knowledge of the English language, but it is pretty logical, right? Not understanding the language means you cannot communicate with co-workers and superiors, and it can lead to many issues at work and cause serious problems in the company’s functioning. Because of that, one needs to pass the English test and be able to speak and read efficiently. Depending on the country of the applicant, various tests can be passed, such as SELT, GCSE, or having an academic qualification, so it is necessary to check whether you are already eligible or need to perform the test before applying. Of course, some countries do not need to prove their language proficiency because English is the national language there, so check whether the country you are coming from is on that list.
Having some savings
Although you are applying for a skilled worker visa to work and earn some money, it is important to know that you still need to have some amount of money in your bank account before moving to the UK. The exact amount of money is £1,270 or more, as it is considered the minimum amount which is enough to have for all the necessities during the first month. It is necessary to get a bank statement that will serve as evidence that there is enough money in the bank account because otherwise, the application can be denied. Some employers are willing to write a letter as proof they will cover these costs, but not all of them, so check it in time.
Having a job offer
There are many ways to apply for UK skilled worker visa, but one of the ideal ways is to have a job offer from an approved UK employer. Namely, having such an offer not just grants that your application will be approved, but it will also fasten up the entire process. The reason for that is simple-there is no need to check whether the application comes from a legitimate candidate or not due to the job specifics and the employer who will already perform a background check.
Understandably, you will have to have that offer on paper, and a much better version is for the company to provide it directly. Of course, this doesn’t mean that other criteria like having enough money or a basic knowledge of the English language aren’t a must, as certain criteria are simply a must, especially these two mentioned above. On the other hand, one can also apply for this type of Visa just by having a job meeting, but having an actual offer is a much better option.
