Starts from 1 December 2020
What do you need?
- A job offer from an employer with a Sponsor License;
- Accepted a job offer which reaches a certain skill level;
- Will be paid within the salary threshold sets out under this route.
To apply, you will need to provide a certificate of sponsorship which is less than three months old and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
You can switch into this visa from inside the UK except those who are here:
- As a Visitor;
- As Short-Term student; or
- As a Parent of a Child Student; or
- A seasonal Worker; or
- As a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
- Outside the Immigration Rules
Eligibility
Mandatory points – 50
| Mandatory Points requirements | Points |
| Sponsorship | 20 |
| Job at an appropriate skill level | 20 |
| English language skills at level B1 (intermediate) | 10 |
Sponsorship – 20 points.
This will be a job offer from a Sponsor who is an authorised sponsor who has paid the Immigration Skills Charge.
There is no requirement to meet the Resident Labour Market Test however, the job offer must be genuine. This means that the decision maker must be satisfied that the position exist, is not a sham and has not been created mainly for the applicant to stay on a visa.
Job at appropriate skill level – 20 points
The job offered must match the role to a Standard Occupational Code (SOC) which is listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations.
The minimum skill level starts from RQF Level 3 which is an entry level.
English language skills at level B1- 10 points
All applicant must satisfy the English language requirements.
Tradeable points – 20
In addition to the mandatory points, applicant will also require an additional 20 ‘tradeable points’ for a total of 70. There are various ways to earn these points and it is listed below:
| A | The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both £25,600 and the ‘going rate’ for the job’s SOC code | 20 points |
| B | The applicant has a PHD in a subject relevant to the job (the sponsor must provide a “credible explanation” as to how it is relevant) and their salary equals or exceed both £23,040 and 90% of the going rate for the SOC code | 20 points |
| C | The applicant has a PHD in STEM subject relevant to the job and the applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both £20,480 and 80% of the going rate for the SOC code | 20 points |
| D | The job is in a shortage occupation and the applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both £20,480 per year and 80% of the going rate for SOC code. | 20 points |
| E | The applicant is a new entrant to the labour market and their salary equals or exceeds both £20,480 per year and 70% of the going rate for SOC codes. | 20 points |
| F | The job is in listed health or education occupation and the applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both £20,480 per year and the going rate for SOC code | 20 points |
Who is a new entrant?
- Those under the age of 26 at date of application;
- Those applying for a postdoctoral position in a certain science role;
- Those whose job offer is for a UK regulated profession and the applicant is working towards one of those professions;
- Applicants who are working towards full registration or chartered status with relevant professional body for the job they are being sponsored for;
- Applicants who last ha leave at a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur);
- Applicants who last had leave as a student which expired up to two years before application and completed a Bachelor, Masters, PGCE or PHD in the UK
Applicant can be granted up to four years’ permission to stay in the UK under the new entrant requirement.
Maintenance
A Skilled Worker route applicant must have held funds equalling £1270 for 28 days at the date of application.
This can also be met by the employer certifying it on the certificate of sponsorship.
The exception to this will be if the applicant has held permission to stay in the UK for more than 12 months.
Criminal Records
Applicants will need to be aware of SOC codes which requires criminal record checks. This needs to be completed for each country where they have spent more than 12 months in the past 10 years before they apply.
Period of grant
Applicant can be granted permission up to a maximum of five years at a time, with unlimeed extensions.
There is no longer a ‘cooling-off period’.
Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
Applicant will still be required to be employed by the employer for a foreseeable future. In addition, the applicant must be earning at least £25,600, and the going rate for the job.
If they are working in a shortage occupation, the salary threshold must be above £20,480 and the going rate for the job.
Sincere Immigration
