Legal Services / Immigration / Skilled Worker Visa

UK Skilled Worker Visa Solicitors

At BHD Solicitors, we recognise the vital role that overseas workers play in strengthening the UK economy and supporting key industries. The Skilled Worker visa route allows skilled individuals from around the world to work and build their future in the UK.

Whether you are an applicant looking to take up employment in the UK or an employer seeking to sponsor international talent, our experienced skilled worker visa solicitors in London and Croydon provide clear, professional advice and hands-on support at every stage of the process.

Our immigration specialists have an excellent track record in securing Skilled Worker visas, renewals, and sponsorship licences. We pride ourselves on making a complex process more straightforward, reducing the risk of delays or refusals, and ensuring that all applications are carefully prepared to meet the Home Office’s requirements.

We offer competitive pricing and a tailored service to both employers and employees, supporting a smooth application process and a successful outcome.

Contact our skilled worker visa solicitors in London and Croydon

As specialist skilled worker visa solicitors in London and Croydon, we provide practical, tailored solutions to help both individuals and businesses navigate the UK immigration system.

For further information and a free telephone consultation, call our London or Croydon offices today on 0208 681 5128 and speak to one of our senior immigration solicitors.

Skilled worker visa guidance in London and Croydon

The Skilled Worker visa allows non-UK nationals to live and work in the UK in eligible roles with approved employers who hold a sponsorship licence. This route replaced the former Tier 2 (General) visa and has become the main pathway for international workers.

A Skilled Worker visa provides the opportunity to:

Work in an eligible job with a licensed sponsor.
Bring dependants (spouse/partner and children) to the UK.
Progress towards settlement, with the option to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years of continuous lawful residence.

Employers wishing to hire skilled workers must obtain a valid sponsorship licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to each sponsored worker. Employees must meet strict eligibility criteria, including minimum salary thresholds, English language requirements, and supporting documentation.

Our skilled worker visa solicitors have specialist training in this area and provide practical advice to ensure compliance with UK immigration rules, helping both employers and employees succeed in their applications.

Our UK skilled worker visa expertise

Applying for a sponsorship licence

For employers, securing a sponsorship licence is the first step to hiring skilled workers from outside the UK. The process requires detailed evidence of your business, HR systems, and compliance measures.

We assist employers in preparing sponsorship licence applications, ensuring they meet the strict criteria set by the Home Office. This includes:

Assessing eligibility and required supporting documents.
Advising on HR systems and record-keeping duties.
Helping to identify key personnel roles within the business.
Providing ongoing compliance support after the licence is granted.

A sponsorship licence is valid for four years and must be renewed to continue employing overseas workers. Failure to comply with sponsorship duties can result in licence suspension or revocation, so early legal advice is essential.

Ensuring the skilled worker role is a genuine vacancy

The Home Office requires that all sponsored roles are genuine vacancies. This means the job cannot be a sham role created solely to facilitate a visa application, nor can it be one that does not meet the skill or salary thresholds required.

Our solicitors advise both employers and applicants on meeting this requirement, ensuring that job descriptions, contracts, and Certificates of Sponsorship are accurate and compliant. This significantly reduces the risk of applications being refused on the basis that the vacancy is not genuine.

If you are considering applying for a skilled worker visa, please get in touch.

The skilled worker visa and the immigration skills charge

When sponsoring a Skilled Worker, employers are required to pay the Immigration Skills Charge, which is a levy intended to encourage businesses to invest in the UK workforce.

The charge applies for each sponsored worker and is payable when the Certificate of Sponsorship is issued. The amount depends on the size of the organisation and the length of employment.

We provide clear advice on how the Immigration Skills Charge applies, as well as other associated visa costs, to help businesses budget effectively for recruitment.

To discuss skilled worker visas in London today, please get in touch.

The financial requirement

Applicants must demonstrate that they can support themselves in the UK without recourse to public funds. Employers may need to certify maintenance on behalf of their sponsored worker.

The general requirement is for applicants to have at least £1,270 in personal savings unless exempt. Dependants may also need to demonstrate additional funds.

Our skilled worker visa solicitors provide step-by-step guidance on meeting financial requirements, reducing the risk of refusals due to insufficient evidence.

Supporting documents for a skilled worker visa application

A Skilled Worker visa application must include specified documents to meet eligibility criteria. These may include:

A valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Evidence of English language proficiency.
Proof of salary and job details.
Bank statements or other financial evidence (if required).
A valid TB test certificate (if applicable).
Criminal record certificate (for certain roles).

We ensure that all documentation is correctly prepared and submitted, minimising delays and strengthening the application.

Fast track options for skilled worker visas and processing times

Most Skilled Worker visa applications are processed within 8 weeks. However, applicants may be eligible to use priority or super-priority services, which can reduce processing to 5 working days or even 24 hours.

Our solicitors advise on whether fast-track options are available in your case and ensure applications are submitted to meet urgent deadlines.

Skilled worker visas and biometric appointments

As part of the application process, applicants must attend a biometric appointment to provide fingerprints and a photograph. In some cases, this can be completed using the UK Immigration ID Check app.

We guide applicants through this stage, ensuring that appointments are booked promptly and any potential issues are addressed quickly.

UK skilled worker visa renewals

A Skilled Worker visa can be renewed before it expires, provided you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. This includes having a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer, meeting the salary threshold, and satisfying the English language requirement. Renewals are typically granted for up to 5 years and can help you progress towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Our skilled worker visa solicitors in London and Croydon provide step-by-step guidance with the renewal process, ensuring your application is fully prepared and submitted on time to avoid any disruption to your right to live and work in the UK.

Skilled workers and supplementary employment

In 2024, new rules were introduced that restrict the type of supplementary employment Skilled Worker visa holders can take on alongside their sponsored role. Additional work is now only permitted if it is in the same profession and at the same skill level as the sponsored role, or if the role appears on the Shortage Occupation List.

It is crucial that visa holders understand these restrictions, as working outside the permitted conditions could breach immigration rules and lead to visa revocation. Our solicitors provide up-to-date guidance on what supplementary employment is permitted under current Home Office rules.

Frequently asked questions about skilled worker visas

Who needs a skilled worker visa?

Any non-UK national who does not already have the right to live and work in the UK will usually need a Skilled Worker visa if they wish to take up eligible employment with a licensed sponsor.

Why do EU citizens need skilled worker visas?

Since Brexit, EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals (excluding Irish citizens) require a visa to live and work in the UK unless they already hold pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

How does a UK employer sponsor a skilled worker?

An employer must hold a valid sponsorship licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to each skilled worker they intend to employ.

What is the Certificate of Sponsorship requirement?

This is an electronic record issued by a licensed sponsor confirming that the applicant has an eligible job offer that meets the Skilled Worker criteria.

What is the skill level needed for a skilled worker visa?

Applicants must be offered a job at RQF Level 3 or above (A-level equivalent). Certain health and social care roles are exempt from this requirement.

What is the English language requirement for the skilled worker visa?

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through an approved test, a degree taught in English, or nationality from a majority English-speaking country.

What is the salary threshold for a skilled worker visa?

The minimum salary threshold for a skilled worker visa is whichever is the highest of:

£41,700 per year.
The ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing.

Does a job have to be on the immigration salary list to secure a work visa?

Not always. Roles on the list benefit from lower salary thresholds, but applicants can also qualify for jobs outside the list if they meet the general salary and skill requirements.

Who is a new entrant to the labour market for a skilled worker visa?

Applicants under 26, or those applying for certain healthcare or postdoctoral roles, may qualify as “new entrants” and benefit from reduced salary thresholds.

What is the criminal record certificate requirement?

Applicants in certain health, social care, and education roles must provide a criminal record certificate from any country where they have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

Do employers need to complete a resident labour market test?

No. The requirement for a Resident Labour Market Test was abolished under the Skilled Worker route, simplifying the recruitment process.

How long does a skilled worker visa last for?

A Skilled Worker visa is generally valid for up to 5 years. Applicants must renew before expiry if they wish to remain in the UK.

How long can you stay in the UK on a skilled worker visa?

You can stay for the length of your visa grant. After 5 years, you may be eligible for settlement (ILR).

Can dependants of skilled workers come to the UK?

Yes. Skilled Worker visa holders can bring their spouse/partner and children under 18 to live with them in the UK.

How much does the skilled worker visa cost?

Fees vary depending on the length of the visa and whether the role is on the Immigration Salary List. Applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.

What is the timeline for a UK skilled worker visa application?

Most applications are decided within 8 weeks, although fast-track options may reduce this. Delays can occur if documents are missing or further checks are required.

What happens if I am made redundant while on a skilled worker visa?

If your sponsored employment ends, your visa may be curtailed. You will usually have 60 days to find a new sponsor or leave the UK. Early advice is essential in these situations.

Get expert advice from our skilled worker visa solicitors in London and Croydon

As specialist skilled worker visa solicitors in London and Croydon, we provide tailored, practical advice to help both employers and employees navigate the UK immigration system with confidence.