UK Immigration - Work, Business, and Talent Visas
UK Skilled Worker Visa Overview
The UK Skilled Worker visa enables non-UK nationals to live and work in the UK in eligible skilled roles for a licensed employer. Replacing the former Tier 2 (General) visa, this route is part of the UK's points-based immigration system, and offers a pathway to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after five years.
Key Features
- Employer Sponsorship: Applicants must hold a confirmed job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor.
- Eligible Occupations: The role must appear on the UK Government's Skilled Occupations List, typically requiring degree-level skills or equivalent.
- Salary Requirements: The job must meet the minimum salary threshold—generally £26,200 annually or £10.75/hour. Lower thresholds may apply for shortage occupations, new entrants, or PhD-level roles.
- English Language Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR level B1 or equivalent.
- Duration & Settlement: The visa is valid for up to 5 years, with options for renewal and a route to permanent residency after continuous lawful residence.
- Family Inclusion: Dependents (partner and children under 18) may accompany the primary visa holder and work or study in the UK.
Benefits
- Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- Access to NHS healthcare
- Work and switch employers (with new sponsorship)
- Eligibility for British citizenship after ILR
UK Skilled Worker Visa: Points Calculation (Total Required: 70 Points)
To qualify for the visa, an applicant must earn at least 70 points, comprised of mandatory and tradeable points.
Mandatory (Non-Tradeable) Points -- 50 Points Required
| Criteria | Points | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Job offer from a licensed sponsor | 20 | You must have a valid job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence. |
| Job at required skill level | 20 | The role must meet the required RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent). |
| English language proficiency (B1) | 10 | You must prove English ability at B1 (intermediate) or higher. |
Subtotal: 50 points (mandatory)
Tradeable Points -- 20 Points Required
You can earn the remaining 20 points through salary, qualifications, and job shortage status.
| Criteria | Points | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Salary of £26,200+ or £10.75/hour (general threshold) | 20 | Meets standard salary level for most roles. |
| Salary of £23,040 - £25,999 or £10.10/hour - £10.74/hour | 10 | Must be paired with one of the following: job on shortage list, new entrant, or PhD role. |
| Salary of £20,960 - £23,039 (minimum threshold) | 0 | Acceptable only when paired with a relevant PhD or shortage occupation. |
| Job in a shortage occupation | 20 | Job must be on the Shortage Occupation List (e.g., nurses, civil engineers, etc.). |
| PhD in a subject relevant to the job | 10 | Must relate directly to the job role. |
| PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | 20 | Science, technology, engineering, or mathematics fields only. |
| New entrant to the labour market (under 26 or recent graduate) | 20 | Lower salary threshold accepted (minimum £20,960). |
Example Scenarios
1. Software Developer with £28,000 salary & English fluency:
- Job offer: 20
- Skill level: 20
- English: 10
- Salary over £26,200: 20
- Total: 70 points
2. Civil Engineer (Shortage Occupation) earning £24,000:
- Job offer: 20
- Skill level: 20
- English: 10
- Salary between £23,040-£25,999: 10
- Job in shortage occupation: 20
- Total: 80 points
UK Global Talent Visa -- Eligibility Checklist
To be eligible for the Global Talent visa, you must meet both general and category-specific requirements.
1. Field of Expertise
You must work in one of the following eligible fields:
- Science
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Humanities
- Social science
- Architecture
- Arts and culture (e.g., film, dance, fashion, literature, museums)
- Digital technology (including AI, cybersecurity, fintech, etc.)
2. Endorsement Requirement
You must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body relevant to your field:
- Science, Engineering, Medicine, Research -- UKRI, Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering
- Humanities and Social Sciences -- British Academy
- Arts and Culture -- Arts Council England
- Digital Technology -- Tech Nation (note: as of 2024, a new endorsing body may replace Tech Nation)
Alternative: If you've won an eligible global prize (e.g., Nobel Prize, Academy Award), you do not need endorsement.
3. Level of Talent
Choose one of the two endorsement routes:
- Exceptional Talent -- You are already a recognized leader in your field.
- Exceptional Promise -- You are an emerging leader or early-career talent.
The evidence required differs based on your level and field.
4. Endorsement Criteria (by Field)
Each endorsing body has its own detailed criteria. Common requirements include:
- A strong track record of achievements or potential.
- Evidence of work being published, showcased, awarded, or recognized internationally.
- Reference letters (from experts or institutions in your field).
- Proof of significant contribution or impact in your area of work.
5. Immigration and Residency Requirements
- No job offer required.
- No minimum salary requirement.
- You must intend to work in your field of expertise in the UK.
- Meet general UK immigration standards (e.g., no criminal record, TB test if applicable, etc.).
6. English Language Requirement
- No English language test is required for the Global Talent visa.
- You will, however, need English proficiency later if applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement).
7. Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
You can apply for ILR after:
- 3 years if endorsed under Exceptional Talent.
- 5 years if endorsed under Exceptional Promise.
8. Dependents
You can bring:
- Your spouse/partner.
- Children under 18.
Dependents can work and study in the UK.
UK Global Business Mobility (GBM) -- Eligibility Overview
The Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa enables overseas businesses to assign staff to the UK for specific temporary roles. It includes five distinct visa routes, each with targeted requirements.
General Eligibility Criteria (All Routes)
- A valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK-licensed sponsor.
- Employment in an eligible role meeting the minimum salary threshold.
- Current employment with the overseas business (duration depends on route).
- Must be 18 or older and meet financial and health requirements.
- Most routes have no English language requirement.
- These visas typically do not lead to permanent residency (ILR).
Visa Route Summary
| Route | Description | Requirements | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Senior or Specialist Worker | For senior managers or specialists transferring to a UK entity. |
|
Stay up to 5 or 9 years, depending on salary. |
| 2. Graduate Trainee | For participants in structured graduate training programs. |
|
Maximum stay: 12 months. |
| 3. UK Expansion Worker | For setting up a UK branch of a non-UK trading company. |
|
Max stay: 2 years. |
| 4. Service Supplier | For contractual service providers under international agreements. |
|
Stay limited to 6-12 months, depending on the agreement. |
| 5. Secondment Worker | For secondments linked to high-value contracts. |
|
Stay up to 24 months (12-month increments). |
UK Start-up Visa
The UK Start-up visa is a temporary immigration route for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to launch their first business in the UK. It targets individuals with innovative, viable, and scalable business ideas, without requiring upfront investment capital.
Key Features
- No Investment Required: No minimum capital investment is necessary to qualify.
- Endorsement Required: Applicants must obtain endorsement from an approved UK body, verifying the business idea is innovative, viable, and scalable.
- Two-Year Duration: The visa is granted for up to 2 years, with no extension option.
- Pathway to Innovator Visa: Successful applicants may switch to the Innovator Founder visa if the business shows sufficient progress.
- Family Inclusion: Dependents (spouse/partner and children under 18) can accompany the main applicant.
Who Is It For?
- First-time entrepreneurs in the UK.
- Individuals with a high-potential business idea.
- Applicants who can secure endorsement from an authorized body.
How Global Visas Immigration Can Help
With over 7 years of experience and thousands of successful applications, Global Visas Immigration is a trusted name in UK immigration. Our services include:
- Expert guidance on selecting the right visa pathway
- Document preparation and verification
- Application submission support
- Employer compliance assistance for work visas
- Endorsement application support for Global Talent and Start-up visas
- Dedicated case managers for each client
Our team of licensed immigration consultants will guide you through every step of the UK immigration process, ensuring your application meets all Home Office requirements.