The United Kingdom has simplified the eligibility requirements for its Skilled Worker Visa, making it easier for overseas students currently in the country to switch over.
The new regulations eliminate the requirement for candidates to obtain a degree-level certification in order to qualify for a skilled worker visa. Students who receive a job offer from a Home Office-approved employer may immediately switch from the student route visa to the skilled worker visa without completing their degree. This approach is becoming increasingly popular among overseas students since it provides a less expensive and speedier road to full-time work in the UK. In contrast, the graduate path compels students to pay hefty course fees and upkeep for the duration of their studies before accessing the job market.
Because the requirements have been relaxed, skilled worker visas are now available to a broader spectrum of individuals who can drive innovation and contribute to the UK economy. Several UK businesses have urged the government to ease immigration to the UK to overcome the talent gap that the country has been facing since Brexit and COVID-19.
To be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa, you must first:
- Work for a Home Office-approved UK firm and have a 'proof of sponsorship' from your employer detailing the job you've been given in the UK
- Do a job on the list of approved vocations
- Be paid a minimum wage, the amount of which depends on the sort of job you undertake
- You must also be able to communicate, read, write, and comprehend English. When applying, you will usually be required to demonstrate your command of the English language.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, net migration into the United Kingdom increased to 504,000 in the fiscal year ending June 2022. As pressure built on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's administration to tighten border controls, experts cautioned that any decrease in the number of international students coming to the country would harm the country's institutions.
Can you consolidate your time on a Tier 4 Student visa with your time on a Skilled Worker visa for ILR?
Unfortunately, time spent in the UK on a Student Visa usually does not contribute towards ILR. The only exception is if you have spent several years studying in the UK and apply through the 10-year-long residency option. In this instance, it is feasible to qualify for ILR by combining time spent on a student visa with a Skilled Worker visa.
Follow government instructions on how to switch to a skilled worker visa.
