The post How to Hire Constructing Personnel Effectively: Skilled Worker Visa UK as the Best Option for Hiring Professionals appeared first on UK Construction Blog.

When it comes to hiring overseas professionals, don’t look further than the Skilled Worker Visa UK. This increasingly popular immigration route helps construction companies to hire foreign staff with the skills and experience they need to keep their business thriving.

The process of sponsoring foreign workers isn’t always easy, but immigration solicitors can guide you through each step, offering expert advice along the way.

Overview of the Skilled Worker Visa UK

The Skilled Worker Visa UK is a Work Visa that allows eligible foreign citizens to work in the UK under an approved employer.

Eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker Visa

Eligibility criteria for sponsoring workers:

• To be a genuine organisation that operates lawfully in the UK
• To be a reliable, honest and dependable organisation
• To be capable of carrying out sponsor duties

Eligibility criteria for sponsored workers:

• Possess a knowledge of English (speaking, writing, reading and comprehending)
• Have a job offer from a UK employer that has been approved by the Home Office
• Have a job offer that promises at least a minimum salary
• Work in a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations 
• Have a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from the prospective employer

How to Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

The Home Office asks candidates to file online applications for this Work Visa. Applications can be submitted up to 3 months before the prospective first day of work in the UK.

The final decision takes around 3 weeks for applications outside the UK and 8 weeks for applications inside the UK (such as visa extensions).

Fees for the Skilled Worker Visa

• Healthcare surcharge (£1,035 per year)
• Funds to support oneself (£1,270)
• Application fee (£719-£1,639)

Extending the Skilled Worker Visa

This visa lasts up to 5 years, but it can be extended any number of times by submitting another online application. Once the visa holder has lived in the UK for 5 years, they mey be able to apply for settled status.

Why is the Skilled Worker Visa the Best Option for Construction Companies?

Firstly, the Skilled Worker shortage UK is negatively impacting the construction industry. It is believed that the construction and trades industry needs 937,000 new UK recruits over the next 10 years, including 244,000 unqualified apprentices (1). Hiring foreign workers could be the key to resolving this shortage. 

Although it could be possible to hire overseas construction staff via a different visa, the Skilled Worker Visa is ideal due to its specialist nature. The strict eligibility criteria allows employers to benefit from staff with specific skills and experience that will boost their business. 

Due to the ‘knowledge of English’ requirement, companies that pursue the Skilled Worker Visa route can have confidence in the ability of their new staff to settle into the new workplace without significant language barriers. 

In terms of the length of the Skilled Worker Visa, the fact there are no limits on renewals means visa holders are likely to stay at the company for longer, leading to a low turnover of staff. This is not only beneficial for the construction company’s reputation, but also for its productivity and employee satisfaction.

How to Hire Constructing Personnel With Skilled Worker Visa UK

Before hiring constructing personnel, businesses must secure a Skilled Worker sponsor licence that suits their needs (i.e., is appropriate for the type of worker they are seeking to hire).

To avoid rejection, it’s best to check that both the prospective employer and the candidate are eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa (see above eligibility criteria). 

If all eligibility requirements are met, the next step is to assign sponsor management roles to individuals within your business. This includes an authorising officer, key contact, level 1 user and level 2 user.

Then, fill in the online Skilled Worker Visa application and pay the fees (if the candidate is not supporting themselves financially).

Finally, the form must be printed and the submission sheet must be scanned, before being sent to the Home Office via email.

Most applicants wait up to 8 weeks to find out if they have been accepted onto the scheme. Successful businesses will then receive an A-rated licence and can begin to issue Certificates of Sponsorship to overseas workers.

Conclusion

As you can see, the Skilled Worker Visa is the ideal choice for construction companies looking to build a diverse, talented workforce in the UK. 

For help with the online application, don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified immigration lawyer. Visa rejections are not worth it when you can submit an accurate application on the first go.