A Guide to the New UK Points Based System

The new Skilled Worker Visa route is a points-based system and applicants must score at least 70 points to be eligible for the main UK work visa.

Applicants can meet the 70 points through different measures. For instance, if the applicant’s salary only affords them 10 points, they could accrue a further 20 points through having a job offer in a shortage occupation.

There are tradeable points and mandatory points within the points-based system. The mandatory points equate to 50, and they are as follows:

• Offer of a job from a UK company with a sponsor licence: 20 points
• Job at an appropriate skill level: 20 points
• Speaks English to a certain standard: 10 points

The tradeable points are:

• Salary of £20,480 to £23,039 or at least 80% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher): 0 points
• Salary of £23,040 to £25,599 or at least 90% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher): 10 points
• Salary of £25,600 or above or at least the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher): 20 points
• Job in a shortage occupation: 20 points
• PhD in a subject relevant to the job: 10 points
• PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job: 20 points

Every job has a Standard Occupational Classification code, and each code has a designated skill level. The code determines whether the job is eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa route. A list of the occupational codes permitted under the Skilled Worker route can be found here.

The application process for a UK Skilled Worker Visa will not be too dissimilar to the current Tier 2 (General) Visa. You will need to apply online and provide documents and information which proves your eligibility for the new visa.

The specific documents which you will need to provide to the Home Office depends on your personal circumstances and the nature of your job.

That being said, you will definitely need to provide the following information/documents:

• A valid passport or other document which shows your identity and nationality
• A certificate of sponsorship reference number. (Your employer will give you this number)
• Your job’s occupation code
• Your job title and annual salary
• Proof of your knowledge of English (if applicable)
• Name of your employer and their sponsorship licence number
• Financial documents or bank statements which demonstrate that you have the means to financially support yourself in the UK (depending on your circumstances)

You may also need to provide a tuberculosis test certificate (depending on where you’re from), a criminal record certificate and proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you.

Any documents which are not in English or Welsh must be translated by an accredited translator. You need to include both the original documents and translated version in your portfolio of evidence.

This is for highly skilled individuals in science, humanities, engineering, the arts and digital technology who have received endorsement by a recognised UK body. The current list of approved endorsing bodies are:

• The Royal Society, for science and medicine
• The Royal Academy of Engineering, for engineering
• The British Academy, for humanities
• UK Research and Innovation, for science and research
• Tech Nation, for digital technology
• Arts Council England, for arts and culture

A person who is eligible for the Global Talent Route can enter the UK without a job offer.

Other possible routes to employment in the UK will include:

• Start up and Innovator Visa: These visas are designed to attract international entrepreneurs with innovative and scalable business ideas
• Creative route: Those working in the creative industry can remain in the United Kingdom for short-term work for up to 12 months under this route
• Sporting route: International sportspeople are eligible for this route if they have a confirmed job offer from a UK company with a sponsorship licence
• Youth Mobility Scheme: Around 20,000 young people (aged 18-30) can come to the UK to work and travel each year. They can remain in the UK for up to two years through this immigration permission. Only those from the following countries are eligible: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, San Marino and Taiwan