Skilled Worker Visa UK for Filipino Citizens
The Skilled Worker visa is available to Filipino nationals who have a skillset and relevant qualifications that make them eligible for certain skilled jobs and careers in the UK.
We understand that employing skilled workers from the Philippines can be a tricky and time-consuming process, particularly for small businesses or for employees with complex circumstances. Contact Total Law today for advice and guidance with the UK Skilled Worker visa by calling +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or contacting us online.
What is the UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The UK Skilled Worker visa is a long-term visa offered by the Home Office which allows applicants from the Philippines and other foreign nations to live and work in the UK by receiving an employment offer from a UK business that is Home Office-approved. The Skilled Worker visa option replaced the Tier 2 General work visa category in 2020.
The Skilled Worker visa is open to individuals who are sponsored to travel to the UK to take up a specific role that requires a certain skillset, background or qualifications, with a certain salary requirement. The type of role that is eligible is dependent on the industry the employer is involved in.
The Skilled Worker visa allows the sponsored individual from outside the Philippines to bring their dependent family members with them to the UK.
In order for a Filipino individual to be approved for the Skilled Worker visa, the employer must offer a valid employment offer with a salary that meets the guideline requirements, and must apply to sponsor the worker to stay in the UK through the Home Office.
Page Contents
- What is the Skilled Worker Visa?
- Employee Eligibility Criteria for a Skilled Worker Visa UK
- What Documents Do I Need for Skilled Worker Visa?
- Employer Eligibility Criteria for a Skilled Worker Visa UK
- What is a Skilled Worker Sponsor License?
- How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Sponsor License
- How Much is a Skilled Worker Sponsor License?
- How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa
- How Much is a Skilled Worker Visa?
- Differences Between the Skilled Worker Visa and Other Work Visas
- Maximising Chances of Sponsorship
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Skilled Worker Visa UK Requirements for Filipinos
The eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker visa will vary according to which skilled job the employer is offering to the employee.
In general, an Filipino employee will be required to meet the following criteria:
- Is 18 years old or above
- Has English Language skills that equate to the IELTS 4.0 or CEFR Level B1
- Has enough money through income and savings so that they can support themselves and any dependent family members whilst in the UK
- Has a clean criminal record
- Has taken a Tuberculosis test with negative results if coming from the Philippines.
The job requirements that the employee must meet are as follows:
- Offered a genuine vacancy with a UK-based company
- Have a skillset which matches the job requirements
- Earn a salary that falls into the general ‘going rate’ threshold of that occupation
- The employer can provide a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the position offered
- The employer is able to pay the required Immigration Skills Charge.
What Documents Do I Need for Skilled Worker Visa from the Philippines?
The documents required for the Skilled Worker visa will vary according to which industry the job offer is in and will depend on your personal circumstances. In general, to apply for the Skilled Worker visa the employee will require the following documents:
- Certificate of Sponsorship – this should include your name, job title and salary, and should include a start date of no longer than 3 months of the application submission
- Any further evidence of job offer and your plans to move to the UK
- Proof that you are skilled to at least RQF Level 6
- Proof of English language skills
- Valid passport or travel card
- A recent passport photograph
- Financial documents (such as bank statements) to prove you have sufficient funds to support you and your family in the UK – you will need to prove you have a minimum of £1,270 in your account.
UK Employer Requirements for Hiring Filipino Skilled Workers: Who is Eligible?
In order to employee a Filipino or other overseas national for their UK-based company, the employer must apply for a Skilled Worker Sponsor License and must meet the following criteria:
- Prove that the business is honest, lawful and reliable
- Have sufficient funds for employing a Skilled Worker from overseas
- Will meet all sponsor duties within the regulations outlined in the Skilled Worker Sponsor License guidance.
The business cannot have already had a sponsor license revoked in the 12 months before applying, and the business cannot have any history of criminal activities.
The process for obtaining a sponsor license and employing people from overseas can be a challenging and complicated process, particularly if you are a newer or smaller business. Total Law can guide you through the whole process and offer tailored support to your business’ needs.
Contact us today online or call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375.
How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK from the Philippines
The application for both employer and employee can all be done online. You will need to:
- Complete the application form
- Gather all required documents
- Submit all documents and form and pay all required fees
- Await a response from the Home Office before making any further arrangements.
Skilled Worker Visa Processing Time from Philippines
The average processing time for a Skilled Worker Visa is 3 weeks if you apply from the Philippines, or 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK. You may apply to fast-track the process using:
- Priority service for a decision within 5 working days – costs £500
- Super priority service for a decision by the end of the next working day- costs £1000
Skilled Worker Visa Fees: How much does it cost?
| Visa Type & Cost Details | Application Location | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Visa (up to 3 years) | Outside the UK | £819 |
| Inside the UK | £943 | |
| Skilled Worker Visa (more than 3 years) | Outside the UK | £1,618 |
| Inside the UK | £1,865 | |
| Skilled Worker Visa (up to 3 years) for a Job on the Immigration Salary List | Outside the UK | £628 |
| Inside the UK | £1,235 | |
| Skilled Worker Dependent Visa | Outside the UK | Matches main applicant fee |
| Inside the UK | Matches main applicant fee | |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £1035 per year |
You will also need to prove you have a minimum of £1,270 in your account so that you can support yourself (this can also be proven by the employer).
What is a UK Skilled Worker Sponsor License?
The Skilled Worker sponsor license is a Home Office-authorised licence granted by the British Home Office to UK-based employers.
This sponsor license allows you to employ individuals from foreign nations who have a specific skillset that matches the requirements of jobs that you have available in your UK-based business. It offers your workers and their family members the right to live and work in the United Kingdom.
In general, you are not limited in how many foreign nationals you are able to sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. However, during the application process you will be required to offer a rough number of how many people you intend to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) within the first year of being licensed, and you must justify this allocation by providing your reasons for hiring foreign Skilled Workers.
How to Apply for a UK Skilled Worker Sponsor License for Filipinos
To apply for a Sponsor License, you will need to apply online and pay the fee. Before applying, you must ensure:
- Your business meets all eligibility criteria
- The jobs you wish to offer are suitable for sponsorship
- Knowledge of which type of license you will need for your business
- Designate a person in your business to manage sponsorship.
UK Skilled Worker Sponsor License Fees
| License Type | Fee for small businesses or charities | Fee for medium and large businesses |
| Worker | £611 | £1,682 |
| Temporary Worker | £611 | £611 |
| Worker and Temporary Worker | £611 | £1,682 |
| Additional worker license on existing temporary worker license | N/A | £1,071 |
| Additional temporary worker license on existing license | N/A | N/A |
Differences Between the Skilled Worker Visa and Other Work Visas
The Skilled Worker Visa is the most common employment visa in the UK. But there are alternatives with differing entry requirements and restrictions:
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent Visa allows ‘exceptional’ individuals to come to the UK. The benefits are vast. You can work, do business or study in the UK. With a Global Talent Visa there are fewer restrictions. A job offer is not required for example, and there is no requirement to get a job. The requirements are more complicated though, as you must gain endorsement from a endorsing body relevant to your field. To do this, you must have references from people in your field to prove your exceptional ability, and that you can contribute greatly to the UK economy.
Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder Visa is now the main available route for business owners to move to the UK. Previously the Start-Up Visa and Entrepreneur Visa offered similar opportunities, but are now only available for renewals. The Innovator Founder Visa is difficult to apply for. Your business must be innovative, and contribute to the UK economy in terms of research, employment or innovation. Applying takes time, and requires endorsement of your business idea, as well as being able to financially support yourself and your business.
Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
Similar to the Skilled Worker Visa, the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is typically for skilled roles, usually highly-paid. The financial requirements are £48,500 or the ‘going rate’ for the job you are doing. There are fewer eligible occupations than for the Skilled Worker Visa, as it concentrates on directorial and highly-skilled, specialist roles, more so than the Skilled Worker Visa.
Switching Visas to Other Routes
Switching from a Skilled Worker Visa to a Spouse Visa can offer significant advantages, including more flexibility in employment and fewer restrictions. Unlike the Skilled Worker Visa, which ties you to a specific job and requires notifying the Home Office for any job changes, the Spouse Visa allows you to work in any profession without such formalities. To switch, you must prove that your relationship with your partner is genuine and meet certain criteria, including financial stability and appropriate accommodation.
Other visa types you might switch to, depending on eligibility, include the Graduate Visa (for recent international students in the UK), the Global Talent Visa (for those recognised as leaders or potential leaders in specific sectors), or the Health and Care Worker Visa (for those with a qualifying job offer in the UK’s health sector). Each visa has its own set of requirements, such as salary thresholds, qualifications, and field of expertise, so it’s crucial to ensure you meet these before applying to switch.
How to Maximize Chances of Sponsorship
Sponsorship can be competitive, however the UK job market offers abundant opportunities in fields like finance, healthcare, tech and infrastructure, particular in city hubs like London, Manchester and Birmingham.
For employers to sponsor a visa, they are legally required to demonstrate that no suitably qualified local talent is available to fill the position. This makes it essential for international candidates to highlight their unique skills and experience. Demonstrating specialised expertise, certifications, or qualifications that are in high demand can significantly boost your chances.
Tailoring your CV to UK standards and showcasing your skills in areas with known talent shortages—such as software development, engineering, or healthcare—can help you stand out. Employers typically require sponsorship roles to meet certain salary thresholds, either the ‘going rate’ for the job or £41,700 (whichever is higher). Meeting or exceeding these salary requirements, along with showcasing exceptional talent, can make you a more attractive candidate for sponsorship.
How Can Total Law Help You Get a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK?
The Skilled Worker visa offers exciting opportunities for both the employer and employee involved, as it offers the employee the exciting prospect of settling in the UK with their family, and allows the UK employer to expand and add skilled value to their business.
We understand however that there are a lot of moving parts when moving someone from the Philippines to the UK. The application process for a Skilled Worker Sponsor License and and the Skilled Worker visa can be a long one, and can be particularly challenging if either the employer or employee have unique or complex circumstances that might complicate or prolong the application process.
That’s why Total Law is here. We have a team of expert professional law advisors who can answer any questions you may have about the process, can support you throughout your application process. Our team can also support in helping the employee to settle in the UK and ensure the process is as smooth as possible for everyone involved.
To get in touch, you can contact us online or call us today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many foreign nationals from around the world looking to live and work in the UK are required by law to present a negative Tuberculosis Test as part of their application process for a visa. Filipino nationals must include this as part of their application for a Skilled Worker Visa.
No. As part of your Skilled Worker visa application, the applicant must have received an official offer of employment from an approved employer with a base in the UK. The employer must have a Skilled Worker Sponsor License and provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship that matches the job position offered.
There are other types of UK visas that don’t require sponsorship, such as family visas, graduate visas, and visitor visas. However, if you are applying to work in the UK, you must receive sponsorship.
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