Visa Programs

There are several pathways available to live and work in the United Kingdom.

Skilled foreign workers are in high demand to fill open jobs in the UK business, construction, education, engineering, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, management, manufacturing, mathematics, science and technology sectors – and more!

Skilled immigrants who satisfy the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for the points-based Skilled Worker Visa, Global Talent Visa or other UK immigration program.

Once you live in the UK as a legal resident for 5 years, you may have the opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is permanent settlement in the United Kingdom.

In general, after living in the UK for 12 months with ILR status and meeting all other eligibility criteria, an immigrant may be able to apply for British citizenship.

 
 
DISCLAIMER: The information provided is general information that is not and shall not be considered legal advice. The UKcheckedin.com website is an informative website and not a substitute for legal advice or for the advice of an attorney. Furthermore, the UK immigration regulations may change frequently and we try our best to keep the information accurate and up to date, however, we cannot guarantee as to the accuracy of the information. The use of the Website and services are subject to our Terms of Use.

Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker Visa allows a skilled foreign worker to live and work in the UK for an approved employer for up to five years. The Skilled Worker Visa can be renewed for up to five years at a time, as long as the foreign worker continues to satisfy the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility for the Skilled Worker Visa is based on a points system in which 70 points are required.

Fifty points must be attained from three “mandatory” factors:
  1. Receiving an offer of employment from an employer who is a licensed sponsor in the UK (20 points)
  2. Having a job in the UK at or above the minimum RQF3 skill level (20 points)
  3. Possessing English language skills at or above the B1 intermediate level (10 points)
Twenty points can be received from any of the following “tradeable” factors:
  • receiving a salary for UK employment of at least £23,040 per year (10 points)
  • receiving a salary for UK employment of at least £25,600 per year (20 points)
  • obtaining a job in a shortage occupation as designated by the Migration Advisory Committee (20 points)
  • having a PhD in a subject that is relevant to the UK employment (10 points)
  • having a PhD in a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) field relevant to the UK job (20 points)

Once a skilled foreign worker reaches 70 points and receives a Certificate of Sponsorship reference number from a licensed employer in the United Kingdom, he or she may proceed to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa to the UK with the British Home Office. The UK Visa Application Fee and Healthcare Surcharge must also be paid. A visa decision is usually made in about 3 weeks.

In the event the British Home Office approves the Skilled Worker Visa application, the applicant will need to schedule an interview at a Visa Application Center and bring the required documents. The applicant will also need to provide biometric data (i.e., digital photo and fingerprints) for the Biometric Resident Permit (BRP). A small governmental fee is charged for the Biometric Resident Permit (BRP) application.

If the skilled foreign worker has a spouse/partner and/or children under 18 years of age, they will need to apply for the relevant British visa and obtain a Biometric Resident Permit (BRP).

After living in the UK with a Skilled Worker Visa five years and satisfying other criteria, a skilled foreign worker may be able to apply for permanent settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

In general, after living in the UK for 12 months with ILR status and meeting all other eligibility criteria, an immigrant may be able to apply for British citizenship.

DISCLAIMER: This is general information that is not and should not be considered legal advice.

Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent Visa is designed for an individual who is a leader or potential leader in digital technology, arts and culture, or academics or research.

The Global Talent Visa can be issued for up to five years and can be renewed as often as desired for up to five years at a time.

In order to apply for a Global Talent Visa, an individual will need to receive an endorsement from an approved endorsing organization in the UK that is relevant for his or her occupation:

  • The Royal Society – for natural science and medicine;
  • The Royal Academy of Engineering – for engineering;
  • The British Academy – for humanities and social science;
  • UK Research and Innovation – for science, research and innovation;
  • Tech Nation – for digital technology;
  • Arts Council England – for architecture, arts, culture, fashion, film & television.

An Endorsement Application containing supporting documentation will need to be filed with the relevant endorsing organization in the United Kingdom and the Endorsement Application Fee must also be paid.

Once the Endorsement Letter is received, an applicant may apply to the British Home Office for the Global Talent Visa and pay the Visa Application Fee and Healthcare Surcharge. A visa decision is usually made in about 3 weeks.

In the event the British Home Office approves the application for the Global Talent Visa, the applicant will need to schedule an interview within 90 days at a Visa Application Center, where he or she will bring the required documents and provide biometric data (i.e., digital photo and fingerprints) for the Biometric Resident Permit (BRP). There is a small fee that must be paid for the Biometric Resident Permit Application.

If the skilled foreign worker has a spouse/partner and/or children under 18 years of age, they will need to apply for the relevant British visa and obtain a Biometric Resident Permit (BRP).

After living in the UK with a Global Talent Visa five years (less time in some cases) and satisfying other criteria, a skilled foreign worker may be able to apply for permanent settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

In general, after living in the UK for 12 months with ILR status and meeting all other eligibility criteria, an immigrant may be able to apply for British citizenship.

DISCLAIMER: This is general information that is not and should not be considered legal advice.

Tier 4 Student Visa

The United Kingdom is one of the top destinations for international students, with approximately 500,000 studying in the UK.

In order to study in the UK with a Tier 4 Student Visa, an applicant will generally need to:

  • be at least 16 years of age (parental consent required if under 18 years of age);
  • receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to enroll full-time in an educational course from a licensed student sponsor;
  • be able to read, write, speak and understand English; and
  • have enough financial resources to pay for the educational course and living expenses.

The first major step to applying for a Tier 4 Student Visa is to apply to and be accepted to attend full-time a qualifying post-secondary educational institution (such as a university) in the United Kingdom.

After the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) has been received from the educational institution in the United Kingdom, an international student living outside of the UK may apply for a Tier 4 Student Visa no more than 6 months prior to starting the educational course. The Student Visa Application Fee and Healthcare Surcharge will also need to be paid.

A visa decision is usually received in about 3 weeks after a complete application is filed from outside of the UK.

If approved for a Tier 4 Student Visa, the international student can relocate to the UK up to one month before the educational course begins if the course will last over six months.

The Tier 4 Student Visa is usually issued for up to 5 years to an international student who is at least 18 years of age and studying full-time for a university degree (the length of time the Student Visa is valid depends on the length of the educational course). There is an option to extend a Tier 4 Student Visa if necessary.

When a full-time international student with a Tier 4 Student Visa graduates from an approved educational institution in the United Kingdom (such as a university that is a licensed student sponsor), he or she can receive a British Graduate Work Visa to live and work in the UK for 2 years (3 years if they graduated with a doctorate degree).

After living in the UK for 5 years as a legal resident (for example, 3 years with a Tier 4 Student Visa and 2 years with a Graduate Work Visa) and satisfying all of the eligibility criteria, an individual may have the opportunity to apply for permanent settlement in the United Kingdom, known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

In general, after living in the UK for 12 months with ILR status and satisfying all of the eligibility requirements, an immigrant may be able to apply for British citizenship.