In order to retain its competitive edge, the UK invites skilled professionals to work in the UK under the Tier 2 visa program. Under this program, workers whose occupations are listed on the Tier 2 Shortage Occupation List can apply to work in the UK on a long-term basis. Among the popular professions on the list are IT, finance, teaching, healthcare, and engineering. Y-Axis can help you take advantage of this talent shortage in the UK and position yourself to gain a work permit to the UK.

If skilled workers must come to the UK, they need to have a Skilled Worker visa, (formerly the Tier 2 visa). You can apply for this visa if you have been offered a skilled job in the UK. The salary requirement for this visa is £25,600, or the specific salary requirement for the occupation or the ‘going rate’.

TYPES OF UK WORK VISAS

The UK work visas are classified into four main groups

• Short-term work visas
• Long-term work visas
• Investor, business development, and talent visas
• Other work visas

Let’s have a look at the Top in-demand occupations in the UK.

TOP IT SKILLS IN DEMAND IN THE UK

With the ever-changing tech world, the demand for IT and Tech skills has become invaluable to companies following the trends. Below is the list of top skills in demand in the UK.

Programming Languages

• C++
• Python
• JavaScript
• SQL
• Java

Java Script is used for Front End Technologies. Many businesses use these languages to streamline processes across systems.

DevOps

It is one of the fastest-growing In-Demand digital skills in the UK.

Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning

This is also an In-Demand IT Skill in the UK. This skill includes jobs like:

• Data Architect
• Data Warehouse Developer
• Data Analyst

Cloud Computing

Because of the need for data storage and computing power, the cloud computing market has become a popular business solution and a fast-growing industry in recent years.

Cybersecurity

The rise of cybersecurity attacks in the UK in recent years has made this IT skill one of the most in-demand digital skills in the UK.

CRM

The 14% increase in CRM skills since last year has made up more than 7.2 million professionals globally.

TOP IT DESIGNATIONS IN THE UK

TOP INDUSTRY IN THE UK – TIER 2 SPONSOR

LIST OF UK VISA SPONSORED EMPLOYERS (Y-DIRECTORIES) TIER – 2 

TOP 5 INDUSTRIES IN THE UK (GENERAL)

TOP COMPANIES IN THE UK (FORTUNE 500) 

UK SKILLED WORKER VISA

The Skilled Worker visa allows skilled professionals to build their professional careers in the UK. The duration for stay as per the U.K. Skilled Worker is for a maximum period of 5 years. The Skilled Worker Visa is a points-based visa and applicants must score a minimum of 70 points for their application to be considered. The points are awarded based on:

• Whether you have a Certificate of Sponsorship from an employer
• Whether you are receiving an appropriate salary
• Your English communication skills
• The maintenance funds you hold

If you satisfy these parameters, you can then apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

The Tier 2 visa is subdivided to allow for the following professionals:

• Tier 2 General Visa: For workers who have a job offer in the UK and whose profession appears on the shortage occupation list. This has been replaced by the Skilled Worker visa. 
• Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer Visa: For workers of corporations transferring to the UK
• Tier 2 Minister of Religion Visa: For ministers of religions within a religious organization
• Tier 2 Sportsperson Visa: For coaches and sportspersons

If you have successfully received a Skilled Worker visa, you can:

• Study in the UK
• Bring family members to the UK
• Travel to and from the UK

PROCESSING TIME

You can apply for this visa three months before you begin working in the UK. The starting date will be mentioned in the certificate of sponsorship you will receive from your UK employer.

You will get the decision on your visa within three weeks of your application. With the UK government including more occupations in the Shortage Occupation List, the processing time is expected to be reduced for many applicants.

HOW LONG CAN ONE STAY ON A SKILLED WORKER VISA?

You can stay for a maximum of 5 years on this visa. The duration of a work visa depends on the length of your job contract. If you have not exceeded the maximum duration for your visa type, you can extend your stay. You will need to apply for an extension, either online or at a premium service center for UK visas.

You can stay for a maximum of 5 years and 14 days on the Tier 2 visa or the duration mentioned on your certificate of sponsorship (plus 1 month) whichever duration is shorter.

REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR UK TIER-2 VISA

The documentation required for the UK Tier 2 Visa includes:

• Having a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from an employer
• Salary and financial details
• Current passport and travel history
• Certifications proving your English skills
• Police verification certificate
• Other supporting documents

SKILLED WORKER-DEPENDENT VISA

The Skilled Worker dependent visa is for children and partners of those who have come to the country on a Skilled Worker visa or have applied for one. 

The following persons qualify for a Skilled Worker dependent visa:

• Spouse
• Unmarried or same-sex partner
• Children under the age of 18 at the time of application
• Children over the age of 18 who are dependents

The partnership between spouses and partners should be genuine and they should plan to live together for the duration of their stay in the country.

Maintenance funds: Skilled Worker dependents have no recourse to public funds as such; in their application, they must prove access to adequate financial means for the period of stay in the UK and if there are dependents, they must demonstrate an additional £ 630 available for each dependent.

Age: The principal applicant and dependent must be at least 18 on the date of arrival in the United Kingdom, or when the visa is issued.

Other requirements: You must not be a previous holder of a UK visa for students, or a short-term study visa on or after April 2015, or have been given leave on or after April 2015 as a parent of a Tier 4 student (child).

Furthermore, you will have to qualify for the general grounds for admission. You must have a clear history of immigration, with no case of overstaying. When your spouse or relative’s visa expires, you must have no intention to stay in the UK.

Application process:

• Skilled Worker dependent visa applications may be made with the main Skilled Worker visa application either simultaneously or later.
• Regardless of when the applications are submitted, successful applicants will be given leave in accordance with the time of leave of the principal visa applicant.
• The approval process can vary according to where the approval for a Tier 2-based visa is made.

As a holder of Skilled Worker dependent visas, you can:

• Remain in the UK for the same period as the main Skilled Worker visa holder
• Work, with limited exceptions
• Study or take a postgraduate course, under certain conditions
• Apply to extend your visa in compliance with the principal applicant, provided that you continue to meet the eligibility conditions. When the key visa holder has left the UK, they will not be eligible to apply for an extension.

You cannot access public funds, work as a doctor in training, as a dentist, or as a sports instructor for professionals

Tier 2 visa applications are evaluated on the basis of the UK’s point-based system. One must have at least 70 points to qualify for the visa. You can score 30 points with a job offer with an employer sponsorship certificate. You can score another 30 points if your occupation finds a place in the Skills Shortage list. With these 60 points, it will be relatively easy to get the remaining points to qualify.

Finding a UK employer who can sponsor a Tier 2 visa

It will be easy to find one in the ‘Register of Sponsors Licensed Under the Points-based System’ which is available to the public. This contains a list of all the employers who have permission to sponsor international employees.

HOW Y-AXIS CAN HELP YOU?

• Job search services: Y-Axis has a deep knowledge of the UK work policies, which helps you with all  necessary inputs to increase your chances to work in the UK.
• Eligibility check to work in the UK: Know your eligibility to work or migrate in the UK through the Y-Axis UK immigration points calculator.
• LinkedIn marketing services: We will help you with every step to create a compelling LinkedIn profile through our LinkedIn marketing services which makes it the most appealing one among other profiles.
• Expert counseling: Y-Axis assists you in job search services by providing expert guidance and counseling.
• Y-Path: Y-Path is a tailored approach that assists in making a life-changing decision.
• Jobs in UK: Check out the latest jobs in UK, with the help of Y-Axis professionals.
• Resume writing services: Y-Axis Resume Writing Services, makes your profile stand out. You can rest assured that your resume checks all the below criteria:
  • ATS friendly
  • Adequate relevant industry keywords
  • Format in line with international standards
  • Appealing language that is relevant to your role
  • Well-structured to guide the recruiter
  • Showcasing your professional strengths
  • Proofread and quality checked to be error-free and well written

HIGHLIGHTS OF Y-AXIS RESUME WRITING SERVICES

• Resume Delivery within 4-5 business days
• An Expert for consultation
• CV written by 10+ Years of writers
• ATS optimized and tested
• Word and PDF document
• Up to 2 document revisions
• A Cover Letter that covers your professional summary
• A LinkedIn makeover In line with the resume

Y-Axis, the perfect choice to unlock cross-border opportunities. Contact us right now!

Talk to us to learn how you can launch your career in the UK.