United KingdomJune 26, 2022by Prominent Overseas CareerThe United Kingdom will implement a new points-based immigration system for skilled workers in 2022

Following the United Kingdom’s (UK) exit from the European Union (EU) on January 31, 2020, the UK implemented a new points-based immigration system that treats both EU and non-EU citizens equally.

The new programme will priorities highly skilled workers who can contribute to the UK economy and help fill the country’s skilled-labor shortage.

If you are a skilled professional looking for great job opportunities, faster career growth, high wages, and a high quality of life in 2022, the United Kingdom is the place to be. Continue reading to learn more about the UK’s new points-based immigration system and the new Skilled Worker Route.

 

Skilled Worker Visa in the UK

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 The new UK points-based immigration system prioritizes bringing in ‘talented’ people who are ‘highly skilled,’ while reducing the intake of low-skilled labour.

This means that if you are a doctor, engineer, scientist, software developer, academic, or other qualified professional, you will have a better chance of obtaining a Skilled Worker Visa in the United Kingdom in 2022.

 

10 Facts About the UK’s New Points-Based System for Skilled Workers

Here are the top ten facts about the Skilled Worker Route under the UK’s new points-based immigration system, which will go into effect in 2022. These facts will help you better understand the new immigration system – how it works, what factors help you earn “points,” and so on.

Let’s get started!

Fact 1: You must meet certain eligibility requirements for your job.

The Skilled Worker route necessitates that you have a job offer from a UK employer. Your job in the UK must also meet certain requirements, such as:

Your job must be present in the eligible job list and occupation code the job you’re hired for must pay you either the minimum salary threshold or the ‘going rate’ for that job type, whichever is higher

Fact 2: Your UK employer must be approved by the Home Office.

Employers who want to hire foreign workers must obtain a sponsorship licence from the UK Home Office.

The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is a list of jobs in the UK that have a critical shortage of workers to fill positions. If a job is listed in the SOL, the candidate seeking to enter the UK through the Skilled worker route receives 20 points.

A foreign skilled worker must have a total of 70 points to be eligible for the Skilled Worker route.

An occupation on the SOL also reduces an employer’s minimum salary threshold by 20%. That is, instead of the standard £25,600 salary threshold, they can hire a talent for £20,4803.

Employers who sponsor non-EU skilled workers must pay the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) of £1,000 for Tier 2 (General) and Intra-Company Transfer visas. This sum must be paid for the first year, followed by £500 per month for the next six months.

Existing Tier 2 (General) sponsors will receive a new Skilled Worker licence with the same expiration date as their current licence, as well as an appropriate allocation of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Fact 3: A job must pay at or above the ‘Minimum Salary Threshold’ or ‘Going Rate.’

The minimum salary threshold for any job offer for a ‘skilled worker’ under the UK’s new immigration system must be £25,600 or higher.

Each job type now has its own salary requirements. So, if your job requires you to be paid more than the minimum wage threshold, so be it. The ‘going rate’ is the salary requirement that is specific to your occupation.

Fact 4: Your job offer must be at the RQF3 (A-level) or higher skill level (20)

The UK points-based immigration system gives candidates 20 points if they have a job offer requiring a skill level of RQF 3 or higher (A Level and equivalent).

The RQF level table for Levels 1 to 8 is shown below, with Level 1 indicating minimum expertise and Level 8 indicating candidates with a Ph.D in their field of study.

Fact 5: You must possess the necessary level of English Language Skills.

The UK points-based immigration system considers your English proficiency. Proving your English knowledge earns you 10 points out of the 70 required to move to the UK.

You must take the Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a provider approved by the Home Office for foreign immigrants.

Fact 6: Skilled Worker Points Table Under the New UK Points-Based Immigration System

To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must have 70 points. The points you can earn under the UK’s four deciding factors are listed below.

Fact 7: The Skilled Worker Route allows you to earn an additional 20 ‘tradeable’ points.

 You can ‘trade’ characteristics like these under the UK’s new points-based system for skilled workers.

as your job offer and credentials versus a lower salary

This amount can be up to £20,480 less than the minimum wage or the ‘going rate’ for your job type.

So, what does this all mean?

If you want to work in the UK but have a job offer in a STEM field with a salary of £22,000, which is less than the minimum salary threshold, you can still get the visa if you can gain some ‘tradeable points.’

For instance, if your occupation is on the SOL (20 points), or if you have a relevant PhD in a STEM subject (20 points), and so on.

Here’s how to get the requisite ‘Tradeable points’:

Tradeable points you can earn	Maximum Points
Minimum salary of £25,600 or ‘going rate’ for the job – whichever is higher	20 points
Job offer in a ‘Shortage Occupation List (SOL)’	20 points
You are a ‘new entrant’ to the labour market	20 points
You hold a Ph.D. in a relevant STEM subject	20 points
You have a Ph.D. in a relevant non-STEM subject	10 points

Note: For highly paid occupations such as doctors, CEOs, and so on, the ‘going rate’ may be higher than the general salary threshold.

Fact 8: This visa allows you to apply for permanent residency.

You can apply for ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’ if you have lived in the UK for 5 years with the UK Skilled Worker Visa and meet certain eligibility requirements (ILR). This allows foreign nationals to live, work, and settle in the UK permanently.

Fact 9: Doctors and nurses are eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker Visa.

You can apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead if you are a doctor or nurse, or a skilled professional working in health or adult social care.

It has its own set of eligibility requirements and is less expensive.

You will be exempt from the otherwise mandatory payment of the annual health surcharge of £624 for each year you have lived in the UK as an immigrant. The health surcharge does not apply to any immediate family members accompanying you to the UK.

Fact 10: The UK Skilled Worker Visa allows you to earn a little ‘extra’ money.

The Skilled Worker Route allows you to do additional paid or unpaid volunteer work in addition to working for the job for which you were sponsored.

You may work up to 20 hours per week in an occupation with the same occupation code and job level as your primary job.

Working for a job on the Shortage Occupation List is another option.

If you want to work more than 20 hours per week or in a different occupation code, you must apply for a visa update and be sponsored to do both jobs.

Note: There is currently no limit on the number of hours you can work or volunteer as an NHS doctor, nurse, or paramedic due to COVID-19.

Key Skilled Worker Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the UK Skilled Worker Route,

• 70 points are required.
• You must have a job offer from a UK employer.
• Your UK employer must be licensed
• your job must pay at least £25,600 or the ‘going rate’ for the job, whichever is higher.
• Your job requires RQF3 (A level) or higher skills, and you must be able to demonstrate £1,270 in savings (for single applicant)
• You must have a clean medical and criminal record.

How Do I Get a Skilled Worker Visa?

You must have a Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer in order to apply for a Skilled Worker visa.

 

How to Apply:

1. Complete the online application form.
2. Provide identification, upload documents, and pay your visa fees.
3. Schedule an appointment with a visa application center.
4. Pay the £624 annual health surcharge
5. Obtain your biometric residence permit (fingerprints and photograph).

The Price of a Skilled Worker Visa

Time to Process a Visa for the UK Skilled Worker Route

 After submitting your visa application online, you will receive a decision within three weeks.

New Immigration Rules in the United Kingdom for 2021-22

 EU and non-EU citizens will be treated equally beginning January 1, 2022. EU citizens must now follow the same immigration procedures as other foreign nationals coming to work in the UK.

Points are awarded when certain eligibility criteria are met. To qualify for a visa for UK immigration under the new points system, you must have 70 points.

The new Skilled Worker route, Student route, Health and Care Visa, and a few specialized worker routes will all require sponsorship.

You must be sponsored by a UK Home Office-approved employer who is willing to pay you £25,600 or more for the Skilled Worker route. Skilled workers and postgraduate students are also permitted to bring dependents who can work in the UK.

The visa switching procedure is very simple and well-organized. If you want to switch from an existing UK visa to a new immigration route under the UK’s new system, you don’t have to leave the country.

The UK previously had a limit on certificates of sponsorship (CoS), which has now been removed from the immigration process. This means that the number of skilled professionals who can come to the UK will not be limited.

Conclusion

Obtaining a visa is now much easier than it was previously, particularly if you are an IT professional, a health care worker, or an experienced team leader or manager in your field.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has made the visa process more efficient, with a decision on whether or not you will be granted a visa arriving within three weeks.

To summarize, the following table represents the UK’s new points-based immigration system for the Skilled Worker Route:

 

If you have any questions about the new process, please contact our visa specialists at Prominent Overseas Careers.

 

We have been specializing in UK visas for over 7 years. Allow us to assist you.

 

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