The UK has been a popular destination among expatriates in the present day as the nation and its economy continues to grow. The opportunities present in the UK are endless. 

Therefore, an immediate surge in the process of the UK visa application has increased significantly in the recent past.

However, moving to the UK is not possible for everybody. It is a well-known fact that the UK is one of the most expensive global destinations in the world out there. Thus, aspiring immigrants must take into consideration various expenses and charges of UK visa application to successfully move to the country.

Here we will debunk various expenses that must be acknowledged to apply for a UK visa. Before getting into the discussion, let us identify the different types of visa that are available.

Types of work visas 

There are several routes to getting permission to legally work in the UK. Depending on your professional, working hours per week and the salary bracket you fall under, there are several kinds of work visas you may avail of. Some of these are:

• Skilled worker visa
• Health and Care Worker visa
• Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work)
• Youth Mobility Scheme visa
• Graduate visa

What is the application fee for a UK work visa?

There are two possible scenarios in this regard as well. The first is that your employer may be able to provide you with the necessary support. In this scenario, they will need to mention this fact on the sponsorship certificate that they will give you under the additional information section. 

The other scenario is the contrary, when they will not be able to give you the required support. In this case, the costs of applying for a UK visa can be quite hefty. When applying for a UK skilled worker visa, you will need to have the following funds:

• Paying the application fee is a necessity. Depending on your circumstances, these fees may change. However, the standard ranges from £625 to £1423.
• On top of that, you will need to pay an obligatory healthcare charge, which stands at an annual cost of £624.
• Furthermore, you will need to be able to show that you have enough funds in your bank account to support yourself while living in the UK. This will usually amount to £1270

Moreover, if you are on the shortage occupations list, you will need to pay a much less amount than what is the norm.

How much are the application fees?

The standard fees, which are subject to change depending on your circumstances and where you are moving to in the UK, stand at:

• £625 per person for a period of up to 3 years
• £1235 per person for a period extending over 3 years. 

The fees applicable for changing or amending your visa while you are already inside the UK stand at:

• £719 per person for a period of up to 3 years
• £1423 per person for a period extending over 3 years.

The charges specific to someone who falls in the shortage occupations list are:

• £479 per person for a period of up to 3 years
• £943 per person for a period extending over 3 years.

Money to support yourself 

You will be required to show that you have the minimum funds necessary to support yourself in the UK upon your arrival there. 

You will need to have a minimum of £1270 in your bank account available for at least 28 continuous days, within 31 days of applying for a UK visa.

Most applicants will be required to show proof of this unless:

• They have already been residing in the UK on a valid visa for at least 12 months.
• Your employer is willing to cover your costs for the first month of your stay in the UK. The minimum amount for this maintenance support is equal to £1270.

How to obtain a skilled worker visa?

A UK skilled worker visa, formerly known as the UK tier II work visa, is what professionals taking up skilled occupations in the UK would apply for. 

All skilled employees from a non-EU country would have to apply for this visa to get a UK work permit. 

As compared to the UK tier 2 general Visa, the skilled worker visa is accompanied by way fewer restrictions, making it comparatively easier to find employment through it. 

You are eligible for such a visa if you meet the minimum salary threshold, have obtained a sponsorship license from a UK employer with a valid sponsorship license and meet the minimum IELTS score for the UK work visa. 

What are the required documents for the skilled worker visa?

The UK government is quite meticulous in its verification process through which it allows expatriates to gain access to a UK visa. Therefore, make sure to have updated documents at hand at all times, at any of your appointments or while filling their forms.

The documents that you will be required to present during the UK work visa process include:

• Proof that you made the minimum English language requirements
• A valid passport and any other legal verification that you possess
• Your job title and annual salary
• You are sponsorship certificate along with the reference number
• The name of your employer and the sponsor license number
• Your job’s occupation code
• Evidence of funds
• Any educational qualifications that you have 

Some employers may also ask you to present certain documents specifically for the job. These include, but are not limited to, a criminal record certificate, health records, and other such documents. 

What are their salary requirements to apply for a skilled worker visa?

To apply for a skilled worker, you will also need to meet the minimum salary threshold, which varies depending on your occupation. 

If you are applying for a position that falls under the skilled occupation list, you must avail of a sponsorship certificate from an employer who can provide minimum maintenance and meet certain points: 

• Those who are under the age of 26 or Hub completed a degree in the UK fall under the new entrant salary rate, which is £ 20,480 or 70% of the going rate for the job, whichever is higher. 
• Those who are over the age of 26 must be given a minimum salary of £ 25000 or the going rate of the job, whichever is higher. 
• Professionals in the medical field have a different norm altogether. This is because they fall under the NHS Band, which has different requirements. However, a minimum salary of £ 20,480 must still be provided.

How much does it cost to sponsor a person for a UK work visa?

It can be said with certainty that the fees involved in sponsoring someone for a UK work visa is not less. In fact, it can get quite costly to the point where many employers opt out of it altogether and choose to hire existing citizens. However, great dedication is also required on the part of the applicant, for they will have to bear even more hefty costs. 

When an organisation applies for a work visa, the office will, usually, charge you with the following:

• £536 for the organisations which are small or charitable. 
• £1,476 for large organisations.

Moreover, a charge of £199 is charged for issuing a sponsorship certificate to an employee. Taxes are also levied, making the total cost even higher. In this case, these taxes are referred to as the ‘Immigration Skills Charge’.

Hire professional UK visa consultants for better guidance!

Moving to the UK can be quite a tedious, long and expensive process. However, with the correct planning and guidance from a professional UK visa consultant like Work Permitz this can all be managed easily.