All migrants including Europeans who entered the UK after December 31, 2020 seeking employment must obtain Skilled Worker visas. Let's look at specific changes made for the Skilled Worker Route.

A migrant is not eligible to apply skilled worker visa without a sponsored employer and a proper job offer. The offered job should be on the list of occupation as set out in the relevant SOC code by UKVI.

Lower minimum skill threshold

Under the Tier 2 General visa route, job offers were limited above RQF 6. However, the skilled worker route can be lowered to RQF Level 3, which is equivalent to A-Level, to support the prospective employee. A skilled level is not a degree or a specific qualification, but rather a level that is equivalent to a high school graduate.

Lower Salary threshold

Employers seeking to recruit migrant worker needs to pay their skilled workers a salary which equals or exceeds both a general salary threshold and the ‘going rate’ for the occupation, whichever is higher. However, the general salary threshold has been lowered to £25,600 a year from the previous £30,000 under the Tier 2 General.Similar to the previous route, salary threshold are also available on a point basis. Some sponsored skilled workers applying under the Skilled Worker route may actually be paid less than the above amount, where they are awarded additional so-called ‘tradable points’ for other attributes:  

• An applicant with a PhD qualification which is relevant to the job may be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both £23,040 per year and 90% of the going rate for the occupation;
• An applicant with a PhD qualification in a STEM subject which is relevant to the job may be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both £20,480 per year and 80% of the going rate for the occupation;
• An applicant with a job offer for a job in a shortage occupation may be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both £20,480 per year and 80% of the going rate for the occupation;
• An applicant who is a new entrant to the labour market may be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both £20,480 per year and 70% of the going rate for the occupation;
• An application for a job in a listed health or education occupation may be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both £20,480 per year and 80% of the going rate for the occupation.

Criteria for ‘New entrant to the Labour Market’

New entrant to the labour market can benefit from a variety of rules and salary threshold. 

The criteria for new entrants are as follows.

• Under the age of 26
• Those who finish their studies in the UK with a student visa and switch to a skilled worker route
• Applicants sponsored in postdoctoral research position
• Those working towards professional qualifications, registration or charted status

Abolished Resident Labour Market Test

Employers will no longer be required to undertake a Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT). This will reduce the process time for at least four weeks to support their skilled workers. 

Maximum Time Limit is removed

Under the Tier 2 (General) route, those applying for entry clearance or to switch into the route have to have not been in the UK as a Tier 2 (General) migrant during the past 12 months.  They also have to satisfy a requirement to spend a maximum of six years in the route.  Under the Skilled Worker route, the 12-month ‘cooling off period’ and six-year maximum length of stay in the route are being removed. There will be no restriction on when applications can be made or the length of stay. 

Change to the English Language Requirement

If you have obtained a GCSE/A level or a Scottish Higher from a British school, you can meet your English requirements. Existing methods of proving English ability, such as passing English tests or obtaining a degree taught in English, will also continue to be applied.

Lowering the ILR salary threshold

The £35,800 salary threshold for Tier 2 (General) settlement applications is being reduced under the new Skilled Worker Visa route. Instead, in order for a skilled worker to achieve settlement, sponsoring employers must pay their skilled workers a salary which equals or exceeds £25,600 per year and the going rate for the occupation.