Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa and is the main UK immigration route for non-UK resident workers. It is employer-sponsored. The university has a sponsorship licence and can provide a Certificate of Sponsorship for certain roles where they meet the sponsorship criteria.
To be eligible, certain mandatory requirements must be met under the points-based immigration system. A total of 70 points is needed to be able to apply for this visa:
• Sponsorship (job offer from a licensed sponsor): The applicant must have a job offer from an employer approved to sponsor Skilled Worker visas and be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). (20 points – mandatory)
• Job at appropriate skill level: The job offered must be at the appropriate skill level (A level/equivalent or above). (20 points – mandatory)
• English language skills: The applicant must have English Language skills at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or above. There are several ways to meet this requirement. (10 points – mandatory)
• Minimum salary: The job offered must meet a minimum salary level (Up to 20 points depending on salary level)
Meeting all the above requirements will result in a total of 70 points. There are also options to ‘trade’ points in relation to salary, PhD qualification and where the job is on a shortage occupation list.
Changes to Skilled Worker visa salary thresholds for sponsorship from 4 April 2024
The Government is significantly increasing the salary thresholds for new applicants to the Skilled Worker route from 4 April 2024. This will affect new recruits from overseas, or applicants from inside the UK who are switching from other visas. A salary must meet both the general threshold, and the pro-rated occupation-specific salary threshold (going rate) to be eligible for sponsorship.
The general threshold will rise from £26,200 to £38,700 and is fixed, regardless of how many hours an individual works.
The going rates for new applicants for each occupation code will be based on a higher percentile and newer salary data. As a result of this, fewer roles at the university will meet the sponsorship criteria.
There will be transitional arrangements for existing Skilled Worker visa holders wishing to extend, change sponsor or settle in the UK.
Applicants can benefit from discounted salary thresholds by meeting criteria for tradeable points (e.g. PhD/PhD in STEM subject/new entrant). Roles will require increased sponsorship eligibility checks by the People Team before an offer of employment can be made.
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent visa is for talented leaders or potential leaders in the fields of:
• academia or research
• arts and culture
• digital technology
There are 4 routes within the Global Talent Visa category for eligible academics and researchers. Each route has very specific eligibility requirements and applicants must carefully check which route best applies to your circumstances.
1. Academic and Research appointments route (Fast-track)
2. Individual fellowships route (Fast-track)
3. Endorsed Funders route (Fast-track)
4. Peer Review route (Standard)
It is a non-sponsored visa, however routes 1 and 3 (see above) require an 'HR Statement of Guarantee' letter to be provided by the employer. Where the Human Resources team assesses that a role which is being recruited for is likely to meet the criteria for a Global Talent visa, support with the letter will be provided to enable the applicant to apply for an endorsement.
The application process consists of two separate stages:
Stage 1: Applying for and obtaining endorsement from one of the six endorsing bodies engaged by the Home Office
Stage 2: Visa application