Many applicants looking for work permits to the UK get confused as to which visa would suit them best when it comes to work in the UK. Many applicants also ask how to get the right kind of work visa in the UK.
There are two visas, Global Talent visa UK and Skilled worker visa UK, that allows overseas individuals to come to the UK, to work, and settle down.
Overview of the two work visas
- Global Talent visa
Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa was replaced with the Global Talent visa in February 2020. The new revamped talent visa allows overseas highly skilled, talented and innovative individuals to come to the UK to study or work in their field of expertise and qualification in the UK.
This visa allows you to study, work, or do a work of your choice without taking permission from the Home Office.
You could showcase your innovative talent as either a promising leader or a talented leader of your field of work and expertise.
The field of work or expertise can be in the following fields:
- Research or Academia
- Arts and Culture
- Digital Technologies
There are many subfields within each of the above fields, so before you begin applications must check your required field of qualification and its eligibility criteria.
For applying in these fields you could either be a potential or promising leader, which means you have a potential to become the most talented person in your field. You have started to earn recognition in your field and have a long way ahead in your chosen field.
Whereas, a talented individual or leader is someone who has a proven track record of success and recognition and has more years of experience in working in their specialised field than the promising leader.
How can I begin applications?
Before you decide to begin application, one most important thing in this visa application process is that this visa is not directly assessed by the UK Home Office. It is first assessed and reviewed by the Home Office authorised endorsing bodies. Only, when they approve your eligibility then you can apply for entry clearance applications.
This stage is known as the Endorsement stage.
There are six endorsing bodies responsible for reviewing your applications.
The second stage is the immigration application. You must apply online and within 3 months of clearing the endorsement stage.
The application for entry clearance takes about 3 weeks to process from outside the UK and 8 weeks if applied from within the UK.
The cost of application at each stage is as following:
Global Talent visa application for entry clearance- £608
Endorsement processing fee is payable in 2 stages: £456 when you apply for endorsement, £152 during the visa application.
Immigration Health surcharge is payable at £624 per individual per year, and £470 per child per year.
This visa also allows you to take your dependents along with you. This visa is a direct route to settlement(ILR) in the UK.
- Skilled Worker Visa
The skilled worker visa is a perfectly designed vehicle for those overseas skilled professionals who are looking for a work settlement visa in the UK.
This visa lets you do a decent, eligible job with the UK employer that has a sponsor licence to hire overseas skilled workers.
The employer must also offer you sponsorship for the job and assign your certificate of sponsorship.
For a skilled worker visa, meeting eligibility requirements is an important part of the visa. You must have English language skills and must be paid a minimum threshold salary as per the job. Either you are paid £25,600 per year, or £10.10 per hour or the job you are applying for has a separate ‘going rate’.
Popular skilled worker sectors in the UK are Health Care, IT, Finance and Digital marketing.
There is an approximately 30% skill gap in the Digital technology sector in the UK.
There is a slight better pay package if you are a health and care professional. You will be paid according to the National pay scale.
How to begin applications for this visa?
Like every other visa, the skilled worker visa UK is also to be applied online with a set of documents and visa fee.
The fee for this visa ranges from £610 to £1,408 depending on your application.
There is also a fee of £624 to be paid for Immigration Health Surcharge. You must also have at least £1,270 funds in your bank when you enter the UK.
This visa also allows you to take your dependents along with you. This visa is a direct route to settlement(ILR) in the UK.
What is most important to you?
A legal consultation with A Y & J Solicitors can help you assess your eligibility and guide you towards the correct decision making for your work visa application. Their bespoke services have benefitted many and they can do the same for you.
Connect with our Legal Blog community, where staying informed on legal matters meets the chance to actively contribute – write for us and shape the legal dialogue.
