If you are a parent with a job offer from a UK employer, you can relocate to the United Kingdom to live and work. To do this, you must obtain a UK work visa that best suits your situation. As a parent, you may wish to move to the UK with your family to start a new life, rather than live apart.
A common visa route that allows you to relocate to the UK to work for your employer while bringing your family is the Skilled Worker visa UK. Obtaining this visa requires you to meet various criteria and provide multiple documents to demonstrate the relationship with your family.
The Skilled Worker visa application process requires strict adherence to certain step-by-step guides to secure a sponsored job and move to the UK with your family. This article explains the Skilled Worker visa, including the application process that parents should be aware of.
What Is a UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The UK Skilled Worker visa allows foreign nationals to work for a Home Office-licensed UK employer. This visa is specifically designed to attract non-UK skilled professionals across sectors such as IT, engineering, healthcare, and education.
The Skilled Worker visa helps UK employers to fill roles that they could not fill domestically. You must first apply for a job and receive an offer from a UK employer before you apply for this visa. A significant advantage of this UK work visa is that you can relocate to the UK with your immediate family members (spouse and children under 18).
As a parent and in line with the current UK immigration rules, you are only allowed to sponsor your children if you are at Level 6 or above on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). Note that as a parent and main applicant, your children’s visas are linked to yours. That is, if the Home Office cancels your Skilled Worker visa, it will directly affect the visas of your children.
When the Skilled Worker visa expires, usually after 5 years, you can either renew it or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to remain in the UK permanently. After fulfilling your residency requirements alongside other criteria, you may qualify to apply for British citizenship.
Application Process for a Skilled Worker Visa
As a parent seeking to enter the UK to work for an employer via a Skilled Worker visa, the application process you must understand includes:
Secure a Job Offer
You must first apply for a UK job and accept a job offer from a UK-licensed employer. This means that your UK employer is authorised to hire foreign nationals. As a parent, you should also consider factors such as your salary, location, and working conditions.
It is essential to consider these factors, as they can affect your family’s standard of living in the United Kingdom. Ensure that the role you accept meets the required skill level and salary threshold (the going rate or whichever is higher) before accepting the offer.
Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship
Upon accepting the job offer, you must obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer. The CoS is an electronic document that contains your unique reference number, which you will need when applying for a Skilled Worker visa.
The CoS specifies your information and job details, including salary and work hours. You must double-check the information on your CoS for accuracy, as any error could delay the application. Or it can result in the rejection of your application, hindering you from entering the UK with your children.
Gather Your Documents
Before starting your application for a Skilled Worker visa, you must assemble all the required documents. These documents usually include:
- Your valid national passport or travel document.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.
- Evidence of English proficiency with a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at Level B1.
- Bank statements, payslips, or a letter of sponsorship to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses and your children’s expenses in the United Kingdom.
- Proof of address or enrolment in school or college to demonstrate that your children under 16 are not living an independent life.
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results for yourself and your children, if applicable.
As a parent, you will also need to provide certain documents for your children. The documents you must provide vary, but include:
- Valid passports.
- Birth certificates showing each child’s name and your partner’s name.
- Parental consent for each child to come to the UK, if applicable.
- Tuberculosis tests.
Complete the Online Application Form
You must complete your Skilled Worker visa application online through the official UK government website. You will need to fill in your details accurately, including your employment information and travel history. If you are applying with your children, you must include dependent applications.
You must ensure that all information matches across forms to avoid discrepancies. After completing your forms, review your entries carefully before submitting them, as any inconsistencies or mistakes can delay processing or result in the refusal of your application.
Pay the Required Fees
You will be required to pay the Skilled Worker visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) after completing your form and gathering all the required documents. As the main applicant, you must pay your Skilled Worker visa fee and IHS.
Additionally, you must also pay for a Skilled Worker Dependent visa and IHS for each of your dependent children. Always keep your receipts after payment for reference purposes.
Schedule and Attend Biometric Appointment
You must then book an appointment at a UK visa application centre nearest you. At the appointment, you will be required to submit digital copies of your fingerprints and a photograph to confirm your identity. You must also arrange appointments for your children, depending on their age. Attend the appointment with all the necessary documents and provide additional information upon request.
Wait for a Decision
After submitting your application, you must allow UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to evaluate it and get back to you. The UKVI can process your Skilled Worker visa application within 3 weeks. Once you receive your visa, you can move to the UK with your children.
Conclusion
As a parent, the Skilled Worker visa allows you to build a new life in the UK while providing your children access to quality education and healthcare. However, you must plan your relocation to avoid a refusal or a Skilled Worker visa. As such, you must understand the eligibility criteria, the required documents, and the step-by-step application guide.
You must also stay informed about the current UK immigration rules to ensure your application meets the Home Office standards. It is advisable to seek professional guidance from an immigration lawyer to help you throughout your visa application process. A personalised assistance from an immigration lawyer can increase your chances of success.