Skilled Worker Visa: A Guide for Employers

There have been some big changes to the business landscape in recent years, and there’s never been a bigger demand for skilled workers. To avoid being limited by workers in the UK and to overcome skills gaps that need to be filled, many businesses have cast their nets further afield. This is where the Skilled Worker Visa comes in.

The Skilled Worker Visa makes hiring internationally possible, as it allows for workers from outside of the UK to work for an approved UK employer in a qualified role. Below, we’ve taken a look at the Skilled Worker Visa and shared everything you need to know as an employer.

What is the Skilled Worker Visa?

The Skilled Worker Visa – which, back in December 2020, replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa – is one of the many visa options for those wanting to work in the UK. It’s designed to ensure that businesses can access international talent, whilst having control over who is allowed to enter and work in the UK. For employees abroad, it opens up a wealth of employment opportunities in the UK, which they wouldn’t be able to access otherwise. For employers, it’s a way to hire workers from outside the UK to fill essential roles, roles which may be challenging to staff closer to home.

Who Can Get a Skilled Worker Visa?

As is the case with all visas, the Skilled Worker Visa isn’t open to everyone. There are certain requirements that need to be met, such as:

• They Need a Job Offer – To be considered for a Skilled Worker Visa, individuals must have a job offer from an employer in the UK that’s been approved by the Home Office. This means that, as an employer, you need to be approved by the Home Office to hire foreign workers.

• They Need 70 Applicant Points or Above – The Skilled Worker Visa has a points system, and individuals need to score a minimum of 70 points to be approved. To get enough points, applicants need to have a valid job offer, meet language requirements and have been offered the appropriate salary. There’s a minimum salary requirement that must be met.

• They Need to Pass an English Language Test – To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, individuals need to pass an English language test. This ensures that they have the language skills needed to communicate in a UK workplace. They can skip the English language test if they have a degree that was taught in English, or if they are from a country that predominantly speaks English.

• The Salary Needs to Be Right – The minimum salary for a Skilled Worker Visa is whichever is the higher between £38,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for the type of work being done. There can be some wiggle room, and lower salary requirements may apply depending on the role.

Skilled Worker Visa Duration and Cost

Of course, the Skilled Worker Visa does cost, and it’s by no means a visa that’s valid forever. There are two main types of Skilled Worker Visa, a three year visa and a five year visa. The cost of a Skilled Worker Visa for a small organisation is around £7,000 and the exact cost does vary slightly, depending on if the application is being made from inside or outside of the UK. The cost increases to approximately £12,000 for medium and large organisations. The cost of a Skilled Worker Visa includes the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and Immigration Skills Charge. The Immigration Health Surcharge and application fees are also included. As a business hiring using the Skilled Worker Visa, these are costs that you’ll need to factor in.

The Benefits of Hiring Using the Skilled Worker Visa

• Expand Your Talent Pool – The Skilled Worker Visa allows you to access more talent. You can hire talented and skilled professionals already contributing to the industry, even if they’re based abroad. This broadens your recruitment scope beyond local candidates, enabling you to bring in individuals with niche skills or specialised expertise, which you may be struggling to find in the UK. There’s no need to miss out, just because UK candidates don’t have the skills you need. In competitive industries, strengthening your team can give your business a boost.

• It Solves Skill Shortages – A key advantage of the Skilled Worker Visa is that it addresses gaps in highly specialised skill areas. You can recruit individuals with the specific skills and expertise that you need, helping maintain competitiveness and ensuring critical roles are filled by top tier professionals. Instead of struggling through gaps in your team’s abilities, you can hire someone to bridge the gap.

• Recruit on a Global and Local Scale – Using the Skilled Worker Visa opens up opportunities to create a more diverse workforce. By tapping into both domestic and international talent, you can bring in new perspectives and innovative ideas that foster growth. The visa enables you to recruit top talent from around the world, filling key positions with skilled professionals who can help your business to thrive.

• It Gives You a Competitive Boost – By using the Skilled Worker Visa, you can give your business a strong competitive advantage. By effectively using this visa route, you can secure expertise that’s hard to find in the UK. This enhances team diversity and drives innovation. A well rounded and dynamic workforce will position your company to adapt more quickly to changing market demands and stay ahead in today’s competitive industries.

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