The UK Skilled Worker Visa remains a top immigration pathway for professionals seeking employment in the UK. However, new changes in 2024, introduced by the Labour government under Rishi Sunak, have altered the eligibility criteria for both new applicants and existing visa holders.
The Skilled Worker Visa is a popular immigration route for skilled professionals seeking employment in the United Kingdom. In early 2024, the UK Labour government, led by Rishi Sunak, introduced significant changes to the Skilled Worker visa route to curtail the increase in net migration levels. These changes impacted the eligibility criteria not only for new applicants but also for current visa holders.
As such, foreign nationals intending to extend their stay with a UK Skilled Worker Visa extension application in 2024 must understand the new requirements to remain compliant with immigration laws.
What Changes Have Been Made to the Skilled Worker Visa Extension Process in 2024?
Here are the key changes in the Skilled Worker Visa requirements for 2024 that apply to applications for extensions submitted by current visa holders.
Minimum Income Threshold
On 4 April 2024, the government increased the minimum income threshold for the Skilled Worker Visa route. For new applicants applying on or after this date, the minimum threshold for most jobs rose 48% to £38,700 per annum.
Applicants already on the Skilled Worker route before 4 April 2024 will face a different set of requirements when extending their visas. Their new salary requirement is set at £29,000 to ensure some adjustment without drastically affecting their living and working conditions.
The new salary thresholds may make it challenging for some individuals to meet the criteria for visa extensions. Before the recent changes, the income requirement was £26,200, following an earlier increase from £25,600 in March 2023. Employers who cannot adjust their salary structures to reflect the new changes will be unable to continue to sponsor these workers.
Going Rates
Alongside the rise in minimum salary thresholds, the going rates for occupation codes increased to the 50th percentile level, which is in line with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2023.
However, the new rates do not affect skilled workers who already had visas before 4 April 2024. When applying for extensions, they will continue to be subject to the 25th percentile of earnings in line with ASHE data from 2021.
Supplementary Employment
Skilled workers can take on supplementary work alongside their full-time sponsored jobs. They must perform this work outside their regular working hours, and they can work for any employer, as long as it complies with the Home Office’s conditions for supplementary employment.
Before April 4, 2024, supplementary employment for skilled workers had to be in the same occupation code as their main job. However, under the new changes, visa holders can now engage in any type of work that falls under eligible occupations for skilled workers.
Eligibility Requirements for the Skilled Worker Visa Extension
To be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa extension, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have the same job with the same employer as when you were granted your initial visa.
- Your job must be in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous visa.
- Have a new certificate of sponsorship from your employer that covers your extended period of employment.
- Meet the minimum salary requirement for your role.
Documentation Requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa Extension
When extending your Skilled Worker Visa, you’ll be required to provide the following documents:
- Your current passport
- Your Biometric Resident Permit (BRP) card
- A new certificate of sponsorship reference number
- Proof of your employment, with documents such as a work contract
- Details of your job title, occupation code, and annual salary.
- The name of your employer and their sponsor licence number
- Evidence of your knowledge of English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
Step-by-step Guide to Extending Your Skilled Worker Visa in the UK in 2024
You must apply online to extend your Skilled Worker Visa before your current permission expires. Once you’ve determined your eligibility for an extension and prepared your supporting documents, here are the steps you should take:
1. Complete the online application form: You should visit the UK government website to submit your application. You’ll need to complete the online application form with your personal data and information about your job.
2. Pay the fees: You’ll be required to pay the visa application fee of either £827 if you extend your stay for up to 3 years or £1,636 for more than three years. You must also pay the immigration healthcare surcharge of £1,035 for each year you’ll be in the UK.
3. Upload your documents: Before submitting your application, you must scan and upload copies of your supporting documents to the online service.
4. Prove your identity: You must prove your identity, and how you do so will depend on your passport type or resident permit. You can either use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document or give your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.
Processing Time for Skilled Worker Visa Extension
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The Home Office can review your application quickly if you use the priority services for an extra fee. For applications made within the UK, such as visa extensions, you can get a decision with the priority service within five working days, while with the super priority service, you can receive a decision by the next working day.
Conclusion
The UK government has made efforts to refine the immigration system and reduce the country’s net migration levels. Some of the new reforms introduced this year affected the eligibility requirements for both new applicants and existing visa holders on the Skilled Worker route.
It’s essential to understand the new rules and how they impact your ability to extend your Skilled Worker Visa to avoid any disruptions to your legal stay in the country.
Source:https://travelobiz.com/changes-to-uk-skilled-worker-visa-extension-in-2024/
