Holding a robust economic position in the global trade market makes the UK a preferred work destination for millions of overseas workers! 

A UK work visa is awarded to skilled professionals to enter the country and lead a better quality of life! 

Do you need help navigating the intricacies of UK skilled worker visa applications to settle in the global English expansion hub? If yes, then do scroll till the end of this article! 

What are the UK Visa Types? 

The Points-Based System is the main immigration route for overseas migrants. Based on your desire to invest, train, study, and work in the UK, you can apply for any of the following three visa categories. 

1. Short-Term Work Visas in the UK

A short-term UK work visa is valid for a period of six months to one year. They are issued for special work requirements only and are not covered by the point-based system. The examples of short-term visas are: 

• Charity worker visa 
• Creative worker visa 
• Government authorised exchange visa 
• International agreement visa 
• Religious worker visa 
• Seasonal worker visa 
• Youth mobility scheme visa
• Graduate visa

Visa Requirements

To be eligible for a short-term UK work visa, you must satisfy certain specific work requirements such as charity and religious work.

In addition to this you would also require savings of at least £1,270 to support yourself in the UK. The minimum age limit for a short-term visa application is 18 years and during your stay in the UK, you shall not be eligible for public funding benefits.

However, you shall be eligible for free healthcare and will be required to pay a healthcare surcharge of up to £624 annually.

Visa Application Process

To apply for a short-term UK work visa, you need the following documents:

• A recent passport-sized photograph
• Valid photo ID
• Bank statements
• Tuberculosis test results in case you are entering the UK from endemic areas
• Biometric data for biometric residence permits

You must apply for the visa at least 3 months before your expected travel date to enjoy a smooth visa application process!

Cost of the Visa

You need to pay £259 for short-term visa application in addition to the healthcare surcharge mentioned above. For the Graduate Visa, you need to pay £715.

Furthermore, a nominal fee of £20 needs to be paid for a biometric residence permit. 

Visa Length

Short-term visas are usually issued for the duration of six months to one year. However, you can extend your stay for up to two years by renewing your visa. 

2. Long-Term Work Visas in the UK

These are renewable UK work visas and they allow you to enjoy a longer residential stay in the UK. People who have a long-term work visa can eventually even apply for UK citizenship or permanent residence. 

The categories of visas included under long-term visas are: 

• Skilled worker visa
• Healthcare worker visa
• Specialist worker visa
• Minister of religion visa
• International sportsperson visa
• Representative of an overseas business visa 

Visa Requirements:

You must score a minimum of 70 points as per the points-based system to acquire a long-term visa in the UK. 

50 points for the visa can be acquired by meeting the following requirements: 

• Job offer from a licensed sponsor (20 points) 
• Entry-level English skills as per the level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (10 points)
• Job according to skill level (20 points) 

The rest of the 20 points can be acquired by meeting the following requirements: 

• The going rate for the job or an annual salary of £25,600 (whichever one is higher) (20 points) 
• Job-relevant STEM subject Ph.D (20 points) 
• Job offer in a job shortage occupation (20 points) 
• Salary in the range of £23,040 to £25,599 (10 points)

Furthermore, you must have savings of at least £1,270 to support your stay in the country. 

Visa Application Process

You must have the following documents to apply for a long-term visa: 

• Valid identity proof
• Reference number of the sponsorship 
• Proof of competency in English 
• Employer details
• Occupation code, job title, and salary
• Bank statements
• Tuberculosis test if travelling from an endemic area
• Criminal record certificate 
• Biometric information 

Cost of the Visa

You need to pay between £464 to £1418 to get a long-term work visa in the UK. In addition to this, an applicant is also required to pay £624 every year for the healthcare surcharge. 

Applicants applying for the healthcare worker visa need to pay a lower visa fee or £232 to £464. Whereas international sports people need to pay £244 for a 12 month work visa. 

The applicants are also required to pay a biometric residence permit fee of £20. 

Visa Length

The long-term UK work visas are valid for up to 5 years in the Uk and can be renewed an infinite number of times. 

However, if you have the Minister of Religion visa, then you can stay in the Uk for a maximum period of 6 years only. 

3. Business Start-Up, Talent, and Entrepreneur Visas in the Uk

As of 2022, the UK does not offer a skilled worker visa for freelancers. However, you can avail any of the following two categories: 

• Start-Up Visa or Innovator Visa
• Global Talent Visa 

Visa Requirements

To apply for either of the above-mentioned visa categories in the UK, you need to acquire an endorsement from a well-recognised talent endorsing body. 

Furthermore, you should’ve won a global award in your expertise field to apply for the Global Talent Visa. You must also be above 18 years of age and have basic English competency. 

For the Innovator visa, you must have £50,000 as a business capital investment and £1,270 in your savings account. 

Visa Application Process

To apply for either the Global Talent visa or the Innovator Visa, you must fulfill the following requirements: 

• Valid identity proof
• Bank statements
• Proof of capital investment 
• Minimum English language competency 
• Tuberculosis test results 
• Biometric data 

Cost of the Visa

The Innovator visa, Start-up visa, and the Global Talent UK work visa cost £1,021, £363, and £608 respectively. 

Applicants will also be required to pay an annual healthcare surcharge of £624. 

Visa Length

The visas are initially issued for a duration of 2 year for the Start-up visa, 5 years for the Global Talent visa, and 3 years for the Innovator visa.

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