Skilled Workers

Skilled Worker visas

The Skilled Worker route is the main visa route by which skilled workers can come to work in the UK. A UK firm or organisation which holds a Skilled Worker sponsor licence is able to employ Skilled Worker migrants.

The two main types of Skilled Worker visa are Skilled Worker visa and Intra-Company Transfer visa (often called “ICT visa”).

Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker route enables skilled workers to come to the UK – or in some circumstances to remain in the UK and switch visas – to work in a specific job for a specific employer.

The job must be skilled to at least NQF level 3, and in every case, the employer must pay at least a stated minimum salary. The salary varies from job to job.

There is a B1 English language requirement and close family members (partner and minor children) can apply as dependants.

Skilled Worker visas can be granted for up to five years, and it may be possible to obtain settlement after five years.

ICT Visa

The ICT visa enables a senior employee of an international company to come to the UK to work in a skilled job in a UK branch of the company.

There is no English language requirement and close family members (partner and minor children) can apply as dependants.

This visa only confers limited leave and does not provide a route to settlement.

Only a firm or organisation which holds a Skilled Worker sponsor licence can employ Skilled Worker migrants, and the Skilled Worker sponsor licence application process is quite difficult.

At Get UK Visa we have extensive experience of both Skilled Worker visa applications and sponsor licence applications, and if you need our help we will be able to assist you.