This route is available to skilled migrants with a job offer who are sponsored by an employer. The government has temporarily suspended any cap on the number of Skilled Worker visas that can be granted, meaning there is (for the time being) no limit on the number of visas that can be issued under this route.

The key requirements for this route include:

• The level of skill required to perform the role must be at RQF Level 3 or above, which will generally mean A level qualifications or equivalent (as set out in ‘Appendix Skilled Occupations’ of the immigration rules).
• The salary must be a minimum of must be £25,600 or the ‘going rate’ for that particular job (whichever is the higher). There are exceptions to this – for example certain roles in the NHS or in the education sector, or if the individual has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job. Where an exception applies, the worker must still be earning a minimum of £20,480.
• The applicant must meet the English language requirement, for example by having an academic qualification which meets the requirements in the immigration rules or by passing an English language test as specified in the immigration rules. This will be met automatically if the applicant is a national from a majority English speaking country.
• The applicant must meet the maintenance test, meaning that they must have funds of at least £1,270. Alternatively, eligible sponsors may certify that they will, if necessary, maintain and accommodate the applicant up to the end of the first month of the applicant’s employment, to an amount of at least £1,270. This test is automatically met if the applicant has been in the UK for one year or longer at the date of their application.

A Skilled Worker visa can last for up to five years. As long as the individual continues to meet the eligibility requirements, they can apply to extend their visa as many times as they like. This route also allows the individual to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (to settle permanently in the UK) after five years.

Applicants must be endorsed by a recognised UK body, as approved by the Home Office. Individuals can apply to one of the following endorsing bodies who will verify their expertise before they can apply for a visa:

• The Royal Society, for science and medicine.
• The Royal Academy of Engineering, for engineering.
• The British Academy, for humanities.
• UK Research and Innovation, for science and research.
• Tech Nation, for digital technology.
• Arts Council England, for arts and culture.

Once endorsed, subject to criminality and immigration checks, migrants are given a highly flexible permission, enabling them to work for employers or be self-employed; change jobs without informing the Home Office; travel abroad and return to the UK for research purposes; and bring dependants with them.

The fee to make an application to an endorsing body is £456. Because this is relatively affordable for many applicants, I am often asked if there is merit in submitting a quick basic application to see if the endorsing body might accept that. I would caution against that approach — it is always best to spend time preparing the strongest possible application from the start. If the endorsing body refuses the first attempt, it’s almost always harder to try and persuade them to approve a second application.