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Live and Work in the UK: The Skilled Worker Visa

INCONTESTABLY, the United Kingdom remains a destination of choice for immigrants, particularly Nigerians. The UK, like Canada and Australia and to include New Zealand, is immigrant-friendly.
Immigration design 1 (5)

INCONTESTABLY, the United Kingdom remains a destination of choice for immigrants, particularly Nigerians. The UK, like Canada and Australia and to include New Zealand, is immigrant-friendly. However, similar to Australia immigration options, the only visible option to relocate to the UK is through obtaining a Skilled Worker Visa.

A Skilled Worker visa allows you to relocate to the UK and work with an approved employer.

Job Offer

To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, the applicant must have gotten a job offer from a UK employer that’s been approved by the UK Home Office and obtain a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from the employer with information about the job he or she has been offered. The job offered must be on the list of eligible occupations and the must be good enough to pay the applicant a minimum salary.

 

Not all jobs are fit-in and this part can be tricky. Ensure the job offer is eligible. To know if the job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code, or you ask your employer for the code. If you need to check up the code, you can search for your job in the UK ONS occupation code tool here.

Most importantly, the applicant’s eligibility depends on the job offer. The applicant also must have a confirmed job offer before applying.

Knowledge of English

Most migration programs, including Canada and Australia, will request from the applicant proof of English knowledge, that is, the ability to speak, read, write and understand English.

 

You can know about how to test your English proficiency here.

 

The Skilled Worker Visa can last for up to 5 years before one needs to extend it. You’ll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employer. The good news is you can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. And after 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK.