The United Kingdom is renowned for its rich heritage, history, and contributions to different vital fields in human history.
This has made it one of the best places to not only visit during a summer holiday but also to work.
The remuneration package from even the unskilled labour and the quality of life in the different countries that make up the United Kingdom has led to a high demand for jobs.
Getting a sponsorship visa to the United Kingdom is not a walk in the park or an easy task, largely due to the large migration of people from different parts of the world, mostly from Africa, in the past few decades.
However, the process and approval chances can be better if you follow the step-by-step guide from a seasoned professional as carefully outlined in this article.
What is a Visa sponsorship?
A visa sponsorship is a process where an employer (company or organisation) that is authorised to employ, sponsors an individual who is not from the country (a foreigner), allowing them to apply for a visa to enable them to live and work in the country.
In the case of the United Kingdom, the employer or sponsor certifies that there is a valid job and a foreigner is needed to fill the role and comply with relevant working conditions under the UK home office.
This type of visa falls under the category of Points-Based System (PBS) or the temporary worker category.
Types of UK Work Visa:
There are different types of work visas in the United Kingdom, and not all require sponsorship, such as global talent visas, entrepreneur or self-employed individuals, youth mobility schemes, graduate visas, etc.
The visas that require sponsorship are those that the employers have to take full responsibility for.
The different types of visas are
1. Skilled Worker Visa:
This is unarguably one of the most common types of visas anywhere in the world, including the UK.
This type of visa is specifically for health workers, engineers, marketing managers, teachers, IT professionals, software developers, cyber security analysts, etc.
In a nutshell, it is for skilled workers with some years of working experience in relevant fields.
This type of visa requires certain requirements, such as a degree, experience, and a salary threshold of about 38,700 euros or an equivalent of 10.75 euros per hour.
It also requires proficiency in the English language.
If you do not fit into these criteria and requirements, do not waste your resources applying for a visa sponsorship under these criteria, as the chances of rejection are high.
2. Start-Up Visa:
This type of visa is for entrepreneurs and startup founders who want to establish and incorporate businesses in the United Kingdom.
This type of visa requires entrepreneurs and start-up founders to be at least 18 years of age, to have at least 1,270 euros as maintenance money, to have a business or idea that is viable and needed in the United Kingdom, and to be endorsed by reputable institutions such as educational institutions and companies.
They are also needed to be proficient in English.
Start-up visa application usually takes 3-4 weeks, and visas can last for 2-3 years with the privilege of bringing family members such as partners, children, and parents.
Individuals can also extend their visa to 5 years and can be granted a settlement after the 5-year duration, which means they can live in the United Kingdom indefinitely.
However, you cannot work or access public funds and must report to the UKVI to update them on the progress of your business.
3. Tier 2 (intra-company transfer) Visa:
This type of visa, also known as an ICT visa, is only available to individuals working in international companies with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, such as Amazon, Oracle, JPMorgan, Toyota, UBA, Standard Chartered Bank, Exxon Mobile, etc.
Individuals working in these organisations can be sponsored in the UK branch or subsidiary.
The individual to be sponsored by the company will be required to have at least 1 year of employment experience with the sponsoring company.
This type of visa, just like the start-up visa, is usually for 2-3 years, with an opportunity to extend to 5 years.
4. Tier 5 (Temporary Worker):
As the name implies, it is a temporary visa valid for a maximum of 12 months.
This visa tier includes
- Charity work Visa for volunteers
- Creative and sporting Visa for artists, sportsmen, musicians, etc
- Government authorized Exchange Visa between governemnt of nations
- International agreement Visa for internationa agreemenets e.g WTO
- Religous worker Visa for ministers, missionaries
- Seasonal worker Visa for seasonal workers in agriculture etc.
- Youth Mobility Scheme Visa for young individuals.
Individuals who meet the requirements with sufficient funds under any category can apply with a certificate of sponsorship from an employer or organisation.
Practical Guide On How to Get a UK Sponsorship Visa:
After deciding on the particular type of sponsorship visa to apply for, the next step is to begin the process.
1. Find a Sponsoring Employer:
The first process is to find a sponsoring employer from a reputable registered and authorised organisation in the UK.
You can use social platforms such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor, indeed.
It is advisable to verify if the employer is authorised to sponsor a foreign worker; this can be done by asking for their sponsor license number and its expiry date.
2. Apply for the Job:
After finding a reputable sponsor through social platforms, the next step is to apply for the opening as soon as possible.
To apply for the job, you will be required to submit a CV, resume, cover letter, or other relevant documents.
It is best advised not to send untailored applications to prospective sponsors.
3. Job Offer and Scholarship Certificate:
Congratulations when you get to this stage; you are a few steps away from getting your sponsorship visa.
When you get a job offer from an employer in the UK, the employment letter should be accompanied by a certificate of sponsorship, which is a unique reference number you can use to apply for a visa.
This reference number shows that your job is genuine. that it meets the minimum payment threshold and is at ROF level 3
4. Apply for the Visa:
Once you have your certificate of sponsorship, you can begin the visa application phase properly on the UK government website.
The official website is https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa.
You will need a passport, flight bookings, proof of English, and proof of funds.
5. Pay the Visa Application Fee:
The visa application cost differs based on the category of visa you are applying for.
It is also required to pay and subscribe to the UK National Health Service (NHS).
6. Decision/Judgement Day:
After following the steps listed above, you only have to wait for the judgement day.
It is either a day of tears or joy, but regardless, you will be fine.
You should likely board a flight and be on your way to the United Kingdom when your visa is approved.
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