UK Skilled Worker Visa For Ghanaians
The UK Skilled Worker Visa will allow workers from Ghana to take up an eligible job with an approved sponsor or employer.
For more information on the Skilled Worker Visa for Ghanaians, including steps to sponsor a foreign worker, speak to one of our lawyers at +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online.
What is the Skilled Worker Visa UK?
The Skilled Worker Visa was designed to allow qualifying foreign nationals to come to the UK and work for an approved employer in an eligible role.
To qualify for the visa, applicants must be sponsored by an employer licensed by the Home Office. The job they intend to take up must meet certain skills and salary requirements.
Skilled Worker Visa holders can be joined by their dependent partners and children. They can also access public healthcare, study, and take up additional work while in the country.
Furthermore, the Skilled Worker Visa is a long-term visa and will be granted for up to 5 years. It also offers a pathway to permanent settlement in the UK.
If you are a UK employer intending to sponsor a Ghanaian employee, it’s important to understand the visa requirements and application process.
Page Contents
- What is the UK Skilled Worker Visa?
- UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility For Employers & Employees
- Certificate of Sponsorship Requirement for Employers
- Genuine Vacancy Requirement
- Immigration Skills Charge Requirement
- Meeting the Skill Level Requirement
- Minimum Salary Requirement
- The Immigration Salary List
- Skilled Worker Visa Application Requirements (For Employers & Employees)
- Application Fees
- Skilled Worker Visa Step-By-Step Application Process
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility for Ghanaians: What Are the Requirements for Employers and Employees?
To be eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa, applicants must accrue 70 points based on certain criteria. Three requirements, including an eligible job offer, skills level, and English language ability, are fixed for 50 points, while other requirements are tradeable and attract 20 points.
Generally, applicants for the Skilled Worker Visa must fulfil the following requirements:
- Be 18 or over
- Have a job that is on the list of eligible occupations
- Meet the skills level for the job role, which is at least equivalent to RQF level 6
- Show competency in English to at least CEFR Level B1
- Have sufficient funds to support themselves (at least £1,270 for their first month in the UK) without relying on public funds
- Have a clean criminal record
Whereas, as an employer, you must:
- Be approved by the Home Office to sponsor foreign workers
- Ensure the job is on the list of eligible jobs
- Provide the employee with a certificate of sponsorship containing information about the role they are to take up
- Pay the employee the minimum salary for the type of work they’ll be doing
- Have paid the required Immigration Skills Charge
- Show that the role meets the genuine vacancy requirement
UK Skilled Worker Visa: Certificate of Sponsorship for Ghanaians. How Do Employers Apply?
For your foreign employee to successfully apply for the Skilled Worker Visa, you must provide them with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). A CoS is an electronic document containing details about the role, including the job title, type, start and end dates of employment, gross salary, sponsor licence number, and expiry date.
To provide a CoS, you must have an A-rated Sponsor Licence certificate and be listed on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors. A registered sponsor is typically authorised by the Home Office to sponsor jobs under the Skilled Worker route.
Thus, if you are not currently approved to sponsor skilled workers, you must apply for a sponsor licence before your employee can apply for a visa. The sponsor licence will cost £574 for small businesses and £1,579 for medium and large organisations and will take around 8 weeks to process.
Note that there are two types of CoS: defined and undefined.
Undefined CoS are for applicants switching to the Skilled Worker route from within the UK and for any other visa routes that require a CoS, while defined CoS are exclusively for Skilled Worker Visa applicants outside the UK.
If you’re hiring from Ghana, you should provide your employee(s) with the latter.
As part of the requirements, when they receive a Certificate of Sponsorship, they must use the reference number to apply for the visa within 3 months, or their CoS will be invalid.
Having a job offer with a CoS gives your foreign employee a fixed point of 20, which will count towards the 70-point requirement.
Skilled Worker Visa Genuine Vacancy Requirement
When reviewing your employee’s visa application, the Home Office will assess if the role meets the genuine vacancy requirement. This means that you must not have entered into an arrangement with an employee to create a role solely for immigration purposes.
The visa application will be refused if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the job does not exist or the employment is a sham.
Immigration Skills Charge for Employers Hiring from Ghana. What Is the Cost?
You must pay an Immigration Skills Charge before your employee can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa. Otherwise, the visa application will be placed on hold.
This fee must be paid each time you assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to a foreign worker. The Immigration Skills Charge costs £364 annually for small businesses and £1000 for medium or large organisations.
UK Skilled Worker Visa Requirements: Minimum Skill Level for Ghanaians
Your employee must have RQF level 6 or above skills, equivalent to degree level. This does not mean they need to have a formal qualification; rather, their skills must be equivalent to the skill level of the role.
When applicants submit a visa application, the Home Office will determine whether the job meets the requirements. Each eligible job has a four-digit ‘Standard Occupation Code’ (SOC). You should identify the relevant SOC code for the role using the ONS occupation coding tool.
Several jobs may have the same occupation code. When you identify the code, cross-reference it with the list of eligible jobs to check that it is included and is eligible under the Skilled Worker route. The job description on the list should match the position.
Avoid using an inappropriate job code or exaggerating the requirements of a position to match a SOC code. If the Home Office has concerns about the accuracy of the SOC code used, they may ask for more details about the position.
If there has been a genuine error in selecting the wrong code, this can usually be corrected. However, the Home Office may deny your employee’s visa application if the job, skills, and experience do not align with the corresponding SOC code and skill level requirements.
Furthermore, meeting the skills level will count as 20 fixed points for a Skilled Worker Visa applicant.
Skilled Worker Visa Requirements: Minimum Salary for Ghanaians
To recruit employees under the Skilled Worker route, you must pay them a minimum salary for the type of work they’ll be doing.
The general salary threshold for most jobs is £41,700 annually. For jobs on the Immigration Salary List (ISL), which replaces the Shortage Occupation List, the threshold will become £30,960.
You must either pay the general salary threshold or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher.
The Immigration Salary List for Ghanaians. Which Jobs Are in Demand?
The immigration salary list comprises roles in short supply in the UK labour market. The jobs typically have lower visa application fees, and workers for such roles can be paid less than the general salary threshold for most skilled jobs.
It’s important to stay updated with these changes, particularly if you’re sponsoring foreign workers into the UK. Contact our immigration lawyer at +44 (0)333 305 9375 to see the current list and for new announcements from the UK government.
UK Skilled Worker Visa Requirements (For Employers & Employees)
An applicant for the Skilled Worker Visa must provide certain documents from their employers when submitting their application. Thus, you should provide your prospective employees with the following to enable them to have a successful application:
- The job occupation code
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- A work contract or appropriate document that shows their job title, role, and salary
- Proof of Immigration Skills Charge payment
On their part, your employee must provide the following documents in addition:
- A valid Ghanaian passport with at least one blank page
- A criminal record certificate
- Proof of English language proficiency
- A Tuberculosis test result
- Evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves, such as bank statements
UK Skilled Worker Visa Fees: How Much Does It Cost?
| Visa Type | Cost for application inside the UK | Cost for application outside the UK |
| Skilled Worker (up to 3 years) | £769 If on the Immigration Salary List – £590 | £769 |
| Skilled Worker (more than 3 years) | £1,519 If on the Immigration Salary List – £1,160 | £1,519 |
| Skilled Worker Dependent Visa | Matches the amount paid by sponsor | Matches the amount paid by sponsor |
| Healthcare Surcharge (per year) | Adult – £1035 Child/Student – £776 |
When sponsoring foreign workers, you’re typically expected to pay for your sponsor licence.
The sponsor licence costs between £574 and £1,579 depending on your organisation type and the kind of worker you intend to sponsor. You should also pay the Immigration Skills Charge.
How to Apply for UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The application process for the Skilled Worker Visa involves several stages. To obtain the visa for your potential employee, follow these steps:
Obtain Sponsor Licence
If you do not already have a sponsor license, you should begin by applying for one. The sponsor licence application involves several stages. First, you’ll need to check if your business is eligible and if the role you’re hiring for is suitable for sponsorship.
Then, decide who will manage the sponsorship process within your organisation and the type of licence you need. You’ll also need to align your systems and structures with Home Office requirements. Afterwards, make an online application for your licence at the UK government office.
Identify the SOC Code
Identify the correct SOC code for the job role. You should ensure the job offer aligns with the designated skill level and meets the specified salary threshold for the selected SOC code to comply with Skilled Worker visa requirements.
Issue Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Once you have obtained a sponsor licence, issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the prospective employee. Enter the relevant details about the job offer and the sponsored worker into the CoS.
Get Evidence of Resident Labour Market Test
For certain roles, you may need to advertise the job vacancy in the UK for a specified period to demonstrate that no suitable resident workers are available to fill the position.
If you’ve done so, get records of the advertising process and any applications received to demonstrate to the Home Office that you could not get a UK-based applicant.
Prepare Supporting Documents
You should work with your prospective employee to gather all the supporting documents required for the visa application. It’s important to provide them with the information they’ll need to complete the application accurately.
Submit Visa Application
Instruct your prospective employee to apply for the Skilled Worker visa online through the UK government’s website. They will need to complete the visa application form, upload all supporting documents and pay both the visa application and immigration health surcharge fees.
Attend Biometric Appointment
The applicant must schedule and attend an appointment at a visa application centre in Ghana to provide their biometric information (fingerprints and photographs).
Receive Visa
After submitting an application, wait for a decision. The processing time can take up to 3 months. If the visa application is approved, your employee will receive their Skilled Worker Visa, which will allow them to travel to the UK and commence employment.
Skilled Worker Visa Processing Times for Ghanians
Ghanians applying for a Skilled Worker Visa outside of the UK typically wait 3 weeks for their application to be processed. If you are applying or switching visa inside the UK you may wait up to 8 weeks. Applying for fast-track services can ensure a quicker decision.
- Priority processing for a decision within 5 working days – £500
- Super priority processing for a decision within 2 working days – £1000
Delays in Processing
It is important to ensure you have completed all sections of your application, included all required documents and checked your application to avoid delays. Errors that can lead to misinterpretation can mean you face delays or rejection. You can use our document-checking service to ensure you have everything you need, or we can complete your application on your behalf with our comprehensive application service.
Switching to a Skilled Worker Visa
You can typically switch from a Graduate Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa. The Graduate Visa is intended as a platform for applicants to excel and gain sponsorship for skilled roles in the UK.
You cannot switch from a Student Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa unless you have completed your studies successfully.
You are also normally allowed to switch from a:
- Global Talent Visa
- Health and Care Visa
- Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
- Spouse Visa
You must meet the visa requirements for the Skilled Worker Visa regardless of your pathway.
Dependent Visa for Skilled Worker Visa Holder’s Family
Family members may be permitted to join you on the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa. You must be able to cover their visa fees, Healthcare Surcharge and support them for the duration of their visa. You must also prove you’ve lived together for two years. The Skilled Worker Dependent Visa is available to spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners and dependent children under 18.
Post Visa – Pathway to Settlement
After five years on a Skilled Worker Visa (may include visa extensions), providing you have met all the required conditions, such as the salary threshold, continuous residency requirement and have no immigration breaches or serious criminal activity, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Indefinite Leave to Remain grants settlement in the UK for an indefinite amount of time. If you continue to meet the conditions, you can apply for British Citizenship by Naturalisation after 12 months. The same applies to your spouse and children.
How Can Total Law Help?
If you intend to sponsor a skilled worker from Ghana, our UK immigration lawyers at Total Law can help you. We deeply understand UK immigration and labour laws and have helped several individuals and businesses through the Skilled Worker Visa application process.
We will provide you and your employees with bespoke advice on the immigration journey and how it can impact their career progression and your business goals.
The application process involves several stages and we will be involved with you every step of the way. Call us at +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online, to schedule a consultation.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you are currently in the UK on a family, long-term study, or another work visa, you can switch to the Skilled Worker Visa route, provided you meet the requirements.
Check the Home Office’s refusal letter for why your application was denied. If the refusal was due to a casework error, you may be able to request an administrative review. Otherwise, you should reapply for the visa with a fresh Certificate of Sponsorship.
As a Skilled Worker Visa holder, you can apply to extend your visa if you are still on the same job and working for the same employer. You should apply online before your current permission to stay expires.
