The Skilled Worker visa is the main type of sponsored work visa. It has replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa category.
There are four main requirements for a Skilled Worker visa:
- The applicant must have a job offer from a licensed sponsor.
- The job must be at the required skill level .
- The salary must be at the required level .
- The applicant must satisfy an English language requirement .
The employer uses its sponsor licence to create a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) for the person they want to employ . The person uses the CoS to apply for a Skilled Worker visa.
The visa is valid for up to 5 years at a time and can be extended. After 5 years in the UK the person can apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) if they have not spent too much time outside the UK and they meet various other requirements.