Query Ms

[Penny01]

Hello, I would like to ask whether the procedure to get a working Visa in the UK is a complicated process.
I have my Pre settled status but if I will be outside for more than 6 months in a year I will lose my right to apply for the settled status in the future. Given the fact that I have an important job opportunity for 6 months and since I wish to return in the UK and work there I would like to ask about applying for a Visa after.

Thank you in advance

[Site Admin]

Hello, I would like to ask whether the procedure to get a working Visa in the UK is a complicated process.
I have my Pre settled status but if I will be outside for more than 6 months in a year I will lose my right to apply for the settled status in the future. Given the fact that I have an important job opportunity for 6 months and since I wish to return in the UK and work there I would like to ask about applying for a Visa after.

Thank you in advance

Morning,

The new skilled worker route only opened from the 1st of January. It is a very different process from the EUSS in every possible way. Not only do you need to meet the criteria and find a suitable employer to sponsor you, you also need to stay in your job for 5 years, in order to get ILR. Although there are provisions to change jobs, you are not free to just leave one job and start another on your own without involving the Home Office. If you lose your job, you may also lose your right to live here and you can't just decide to become self-employed or go back to college full time, nor would you have access to public funds (state benefits).

If you stay with your employer or manage to move jobs within the confines of your visa, and work for 5 continuous years, you will be eligible for ILR, which will remove all these restrictions. This form of ILR is slightly different from settled status, as it only allows up to 2 years out of the UK before lapsing, while settled status allows up to 5, and it does not have any special family reunion rights.

Furthermore, you will usually have to satisfy the language and LITUK requirements to apply for ILR and the current fee i$$$ over £2,200!

Personally, I wouldn't even consider giving up the option to get settled status for the sake of a 6 month job opportunity if the intention was to then settle in the UK, but this is obviously a personal decision.

[Site Admin]

You will find info about the new skilled worker route here: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

...where you'll see:

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:

• work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office
• have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK
• do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
• be paid a minimum salary - how much depends on the type of work you do

The specific eligibility depends on your job.

You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa.

...and:

You cannot:

• apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
• change jobs or employer unless you apply to update your visa

[Site Admin]

This page contains info regarding ILR via that route: Check if you can get indefinite leave to remain - GOV.UK

...where they say:

You can apply if:

• you have a Tier 2 (General) visa or a Skilled Worker visa
• you’ve been living and working in the UK for 5 years and spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months (‘continuous residence’)
• your employer (sponsor) still needs you for your job - they’ll need to provide a document confirming this
• your job meets the salary requirements

[...]

You’ll usually need to be paid at least £25,600 per year unless the ‘going rate’ for your job is higher than this.

Example: Your salary is £27,000 per year, but the annual going rate for the job you’ll be doing is £30,000. You do not meet the usual salary requirements for this visa.

...and:

Fees and how to apply

You must apply online. It costs £2,389 for each person applying.