UK Skilled Worker Visa
Long-Term
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Skilled Worker Visa
An Overview of Foe the Pakistani Visa Applicants for the UK Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker Visa is a conduit for qualified professionals around the globe to seek employment in the United Kingdom (UK). Replacing the Tier 2 (General) work visa, this permit is tailored for individuals who have received a job offer for a skilled position from an approved employer in the UK123. The essence of this visa is to ensure a steady influx of expertise and talent to fill the various skilled job vacancies and contribute to the UK’s thriving economy.
Who is this Visa For?
UK Skilled Worker Visa: Who is this Visa For
The UK Skilled Worker Visa is designed for talented professionals worldwide, including many from Pakistan, who have a confirmed job offer from a licensed UK sponsor. As a visa consultant with over 15 years helping Pakistani families navigate UK immigration, I’ve seen this route transform lives—think IT specialists from Lahore or engineers from Karachi securing stable futures abroad. It’s ideal for skilled workers in eligible occupations (like tech, healthcare, or engineering) meeting the RQF Level 3+ skill threshold, with a minimum salary of £41,700 (up from July 22, 2025, or the job’s going rate if higher). You must score 70 points: 50 from sponsorship and English proficiency (CEFR B1 via approved tests like IELTS), plus 20 from salary. No cap on numbers, but criminal checks and tuberculosis tests apply for Pakistanis.
This visa shines for family reunification, allowing dependants—spouses, unmarried partners (with 2+ years’ proof like joint finances or visits), and children under 18 (or over if already dependants). Unlike tightened rules for student visas (no dependants post-Jan 2024) or care workers (restrictions if visa after March 2024), Skilled Workers can bring families if meeting financials: £1,270 maintenance for the main applicant (unless sponsored), plus £285 for a partner and £315 per child, held for 28 days. From my experience, refusals often stem from incomplete Pakistani docs like NADRA marriage certificates or bank statements—always get them attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to avoid economic scrutiny.
For Pakistanis, the July 2025 eVisa rollout simplifies things: no physical stickers, just digital access via the UKVI app, cutting processing times. Fees start at £769 (outside UK, up to 3 years) plus £1,035 healthcare surcharge yearly.
Purpose of the Visa
The Purpose of the UK Skilled Worker Visa
As a UK visa consultant specializing in Pakistani applicants for over a decade, I’ve witnessed the Skilled Worker Visa serve as a lifeline for professionals seeking economic stability and family unity amid Pakistan’s challenges like inflation and job scarcity. Introduced to replace the Tier 2 (General) visa, its core purpose is to attract global talent to fill UK skill shortages in high-level roles, enabling sponsored employment while promoting long-term settlement. Updated in July 2025, it emphasizes graduate-level jobs (RQF 6+), with no annual cap, making it accessible for Pakistanis in IT, engineering, or finance.
Enabling Family Reunification
The visa’s purpose extends beyond work—it’s designed for family reunification, allowing dependants to join without the restrictions hitting other routes. Unlike student visas (no dependants since January 2024, except postgraduate research) or care worker visas (no new dependants post-March 2024, tightened further in 2025), Skilled Workers can bring spouses, partners, and children if meeting criteria. For Pakistanis, this counters separation due to economic migration; I’ve helped families reunite after years apart, proving relationships via attested Nikah Namas and visit logs to evade refusals.
What You Can and Cannot Do on the UK Skilled Worker Visa
What You Can and Cannot Do on the UK Skilled Worker Visa
As a UK visa consultant with 15+ years aiding Pakistani professionals, I’ve guided countless families through the Skilled Worker visa’s nuances. This route lets you work in sponsored, skilled roles while building a life in the UK, but it comes with clear boundaries to ensure compliance. Updated for 2025, it contrasts with tightened dependant rules on student visas (no dependants except PhD/postgrad research since Jan 2024) or health worker visas (no new dependants post-March 2024, with further 2025 curbs). For Skilled Workers, family reunification remains viable if you meet hiked financials like £41,700 salary thresholds (effective July 22, 2025) and maintenance funds. Let’s break down permissions, restrictions, and Pakistan-tailored strategies to avoid refusals amid local economic woes.
Permissions for Main Applicants
You can work full-time in your sponsored role (RQF Level 3+), earning at least the going rate or £41,700. Supplementary work up to 20 hours weekly in the same profession is allowed, ideal for Pakistanis supplementing income. Study is permitted without limits, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your job—I’ve seen engineers from Punjab pursue part-time MBAs seamlessly. Voluntary work for charities or statutory bodies is fine, fostering community ties. Travel abroad and return is unrestricted, crucial for visiting family in Pakistan during economic instability. After five years, apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for permanent settlement, accessing benefits if eligible post-ILR.
Restrictions for Main Applicants
You cannot switch jobs or employers without updating your visa via a fresh application, risking refusal if not handled promptly—common pitfall for Pakistanis rushing amid job market flux. No access to public funds like benefits or state pension until settlement; rely on savings or sponsor support. Professional sports work is barred, and you can’t start a business as your primary activity. From my experience, ignoring these leads to enforcement; one client from Sindh faced deportation after freelance gigs outside his CoS, but we salvaged it with appeals.
What Dependants Can Do
Dependants—spouses, partners (with 2+ years’ proof), and children under 18 (or over if previously dependant)—can join you, promoting family unity vital for Pakistanis facing separation due to rupee devaluation. Partners can work unrestricted (except as sportspersons/coaches), study freely, and even volunteer. Children get full education access, including state schools. With the July 2025 eVisa rollout for Pakistanis, dependants get digital status via the UKVI app, easing travel and proofs—no more sticker hassles at Karachi airports. This flexibility helped a Lahore family I assisted: The wife launched a home-based consultancy while kids thrived in UK schools.
What Dependants Cannot Do
Dependants cannot claim public funds, mirroring main applicants—prepare for self-sufficiency with increased 2025 thresholds: £285 extra for partners, £315 per child in maintenance funds held 28 days. No lead applicant role swaps without separate visas. Children over 18 must apply independently if not prior dependants. Refusals spike on weak proofs; Pakistani docs like NADRA certs must be MOFA-attested to counter ECO doubts on economic ties. Unlike pre-2024 health visas, no new dependant additions mid-visa without full reapplications.
Pakistan-Tailored Strategies for Success
For Pakistanis, document authenticity is key—use attested bank statements showing funds origin (e.g., “Inheritance from family land sale, PKR 1.5M”) to beat economic scrutiny. Apply jointly online, linking via family codes for synced decisions. Leverage eVisa for faster processing (3-8 weeks). Anecdote: A Peshawar IT pro avoided refusal by including a detailed relationship affidavit with photos and remittances, proving genuine ties despite financial strains.
Key Takeaways of this visa
As a UK visa consultant with over 15 years aiding Pakistani applicants, here are the key takeaways for the Skilled Worker visa, addressing Pakistan-specific challenges like documentation and economic factors, ensuring family reunification and compliance as of August 2025.
Key Benefits for Main Applicants
Sponsored Employment: Work in RQF Level 3+ roles (e.g., IT, healthcare) with a minimum salary of £41,700 (updated July 22, 2025, or job going rate), secured by an A-rated sponsor’s CoS.
Supplementary Work: Add up to 20 hours weekly in the same field, vital for Pakistanis offsetting economic instability.
Study and Travel Freedom: Pursue unrestricted studies and travel abroad to visit family, critical amid rupee devaluation.
Settlement Pathway: Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years—achieved by a Peshawar engineer I guided.
No Visa Cap: Unlimited visas ensure faster access for skilled Pakistanis.
Key Benefits for Dependants
Family Inclusion: Bring spouses/partners (2+ years proof) and children (under 18 or prior dependants), unlike student visa curbs (no dependants except PhD/postgrad research post-Jan 2024) or health worker limits (no new dependants post-March 2024, tightened July 2025).
Work and Study: Partners can work (except as sportspersons), study, and volunteer; kids access free education and healthcare.
Settlement Option: Dependants qualify for ILR after five years, as seen with a Lahore family I assisted.
Pakistan-Specific Strategies
Document Authenticity: Attest NADRA FRCs, Nikah Namas via MOFA to avoid refusals—a Karachi client succeeded after I added remittance proofs.
Financial Proofs: Hold £1,270 (main) + £285 (partner) + £315 (child) for 28 days, e.g., “savings from freelance amid inflation.”
eVisa Efficiency: July 2025 rollout offers digital status via UKVI app, speeding approvals.
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The Eligibility Criteria For Skilled Worker Visa for the UK
The journey towards securing a Skilled Worker Visa for the UK begins with understanding and meeting the set eligibility criteria. These criteria are meticulously structured to ensure that only individuals with the requisite skills and qualifications make their way to the UK’s thriving job market. Here’s a breakdown of the eligibility requisites:
As a UK visa expert with over 15 years assisting Pakistani professionals—from IT specialists in Lahore to nurses in Karachi—the Skilled Worker visa remains a gateway for talented individuals to build careers in the UK. To be eligible as of August 2025, you must secure a genuine job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor, who issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This isn’t just any job; it has to align with the UK’s points-based system, where you score at least 70 points across mandatory and tradeable criteria. In my practice, I’ve seen many Pakistanis overlook sponsor legitimacy, leading to rejections—always verify the employer’s license on the gov.uk register before proceeding.
Job Offer from a Licensed UK Sponsor
The foundation of eligibility is a confirmed job offer from a UK employer holding a valid sponsor license. As of the July 2025 updates, sponsors must prove the role couldn’t be filled by a UK resident, emphasizing genuine vacancies. For Pakistanis, this means partnering with recruiters familiar with sectors like tech or healthcare, where demand persists despite tightened rules removing 111 occupations from the eligible list. I recall helping a Karachi-based engineer whose initial offer fell through due to sponsor non-compliance; we pivoted to a verified firm, securing his CoS within weeks. Ensure your CoS details match your skills exactly to avoid mismatches during application scrutiny.
Eligible Occupations and Skill Level Requirements
Your job must be on the updated list of eligible occupations, effective from 22 July 2025, which now excludes lower-skilled roles to prioritize high-value contributions. The skill level is implicitly at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 or above—think roles like software developers (code 2139) or pharmacists (2213). Pakistan-specific challenge: Many applicants face issues with qualification equivalence; get your degrees attested by HEC and evaluated via UK ENIC to prove they match UK standards. In one case, a client from Islamabad had his engineering diploma rejected initially for lacking proper attestation—timely HEC involvement turned it around, highlighting why early document preparation is crucial amid Pakistan’s bureaucratic delays.
Meeting the Salary Thresholds
Salary is a tradeable points criterion, with the general threshold raised to £41,700 annually (or the ‘going rate’ for your occupation, whichever is higher) as of July 2025 reforms. If you’re under 26, in training, or switching from a Student visa, a lower rate of £30,960 applies, but allowances like London weighting can help. Economic factors hit Pakistanis hard here—the rupee’s depreciation means converting £41,700 to PKR (around 14-15 million annually) feels daunting, yet I’ve advised clients to negotiate relocation packages covering initial costs. One Lahore teacher I assisted leveraged her PhD for a discounted threshold, proving how qualifications can offset salary hurdles in a volatile economy.
Proving English Language Proficiency
You must demonstrate English at B1 level (intermediate) via an approved test like IELTS or PTE, unless you’re from an English-majority country or hold a UK-equivalent degree taught in English. For Pakistanis, IELTS is popular, but scores expire after two years—retake if needed. A common pitfall I’ve encountered is underestimating speaking practice; a Peshawar doctor I helped failed initially due to nerves but passed after targeted coaching. Amid Pakistan’s educational variances, ensure your test center is UKVI-approved to avoid invalid results, especially with rising scrutiny on language fraud claims.
Financial and Maintenance Requirements
Eligibility includes proving you can support yourself with at least £1,270 in savings (held for 28 days), plus £285-£1,270 per dependent. The healthcare surcharge is £1,035 per year, payable upfront. Pakistan’s economic instability amplifies this—currency fluctuations can erode savings, so I recommend using stable accounts or employer support letters. In my experience, a Faisalabad accountant struggled with this until we documented his family’s joint finances, satisfying the Home Office. Don’t forget the TB test certificate from an approved Pakistani clinic; it’s mandatory and often overlooked, causing delays.
Additional Documentation and Criminal Checks
Gather a valid passport, CoS reference, and proof of qualifications. If in education, healthcare, or social care, provide a criminal record certificate from Pakistan’s police authorities—process this early via your local station and FIA for attestation. Pakistan-specific tip: Economic migration patterns have led to heightened checks, so include employer references emphasizing your unique skills. I’ve seen applications from Multan succeed by submitting NADRA-verified family documents to bolster ties, countering refusal fears over intent to return.
Navigating Points and Special Considerations
Score 50 mandatory points (20 for sponsorship, 20 for job skill, 10 for English) and 20 tradeable (via salary, shortage occupation, or PhD relevance). Post-July 2025, the temporary shortage list aids lower salaries for in-demand roles like construction managers. For Pakistanis facing documentation bottlenecks, start early—attestations from MOFA can take months. Drawing from a recent case with a Rawalpindi IT pro, whose PhD earned him tradeable points despite a borderline salary, these nuances make all the difference in turning eligibility into approval. Always consult experts to tailor your application, ensuring it stands out in a competitive landscape.
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Navigating the Application Process For the UK Skilled Worker Visa - A Step By Step Process
Embarking on the quest for a Skilled Worker Visa entails a meticulously outlined application procedure. This final section unveils the steps involved in applying for a Skilled Worker Visa, ushering you closer to your aspiration of working in the UK. Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of the application journey:
Step 1: Secure Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Kick off your UK Skilled Worker visa journey by obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office-licensed UK employer. As of August 2025, following the July 22 updates, your job must fit the revised eligible occupations list, with perks like lower salary thresholds for shortage roles such as IT specialists or nurses. In my 24+ years helping Pakistanis, I’ve seen many from Lahore falter on unverified sponsors—always check gov.uk’s register to confirm legitimacy. Your employer assigns the CoS digitally, valid for 3 months, detailing your role, salary, and start date. Pakistan tip: Network via LinkedIn for genuine offers, as economic pressures push more towards overseas jobs.
Step 2: Gather and Attest Essential Documents
Compile your paperwork early to sidestep Pakistan’s notorious delays. Key items include a valid passport, English test results (e.g., IELTS at B1 level), and qualification proofs. For Pakistanis, attest degrees through HEC and MOFA—expect 4-8 weeks, plus NADRA for supporting docs like birth certificates. If in regulated fields like healthcare, add a police criminal record certificate via FIA attestation. A Peshawar client of mine nearly derailed his application ignoring this; we rushed it, but it cost extra. Economic hurdle: Factor in rupee volatility for fees (PKR 15,000+ for attestations). Mandatory TB test? Book at IOM clinics in major cities for £65—results valid 6 months, crucial to avoid health-based refusals.
Step 3: Fill Out the Online Application Form
Head to gov.uk to complete the visa application form online— the sole method for out-of-UK applicants, submit up to 3 months pre-job start. Input CoS details, personal history, and finances accurately; mismatches, like wrong occupation codes from the 2025 list, trigger instant denials. From experience, an Islamabad engineer I advised failed due to a typo in his travel log—proofread thrice. Pakistan challenges: Unreliable internet? Use cyber cafes or mobile hotspots, and save progress. If transitioning from a Student visa, highlight the reduced £30,960 salary threshold for smoother points scoring.
Step 4: Pay Fees and Demonstrate Financial Maintenance
Settle payments during the form: £719 for visas up to 3 years (£1,420 longer), plus £1,035 annual healthcare surcharge—budget £4,000-6,000 total for solos. Prove £1,270 in savings (28 days minimum) or sponsor backing; with Pakistan’s inflation, I’ve recommended clients use forex accounts to stabilize proofs against rupee dips. One Multan applicant overcame this by including employer relocation letters, waiving personal funds. Pay via debit/credit—non-refundable, so double-check eligibility first to prevent financial hits.
Step 5: Schedule Biometrics and Submit at VFS Global
After form submission, book biometrics within days at VFS centers in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, or Mirpur. Provide fingerprints, photo, and scanned docs—sessions last 20 minutes, but queues swell with demand. Bring your appointment confirmation; a Faisalabad client missed his slot forgetting it amid loadshedding travel woes. Opt for priority (£500) for 5-day decisions if urgent. Pakistan-specific: High-volume centers mean booking 2-4 weeks ahead; premium lounges cut wait times for those facing economic time pressures.
Step 6: Monitor the Decision and Address Any Issues
Await your outcome—typically 3 weeks per gov.uk’s July 2025 guidelines, but up to 8 for scrutinized Pakistani cases on migration intent. Track via email; if approved, collect your entry vignette from VFS. Delays? Expect queries on home ties—counter with NADRA-attested property or family docs. In a Rawalpindi case, my client resubmitted bank evidence promptly, flipping a potential refusal. Refused? Request administrative review (£80) within 28 days, focusing on procedural errors.
Step 7: Final Preparations and Pro Tips for Success
Post-approval, plan your UK entry within 30 days of vignette validity. From two decades in visa consulting, streamline by starting 5-7 months early to buffer Pakistan’s red tape. A Karachi nurse I helped used a digital checklist for docs, acing her process. Stay abreast of changes like the £41,700 salary hike via gov.uk alerts. For tailored support amid economic shifts, reach our experts at ukvisa.pro—transforming steps into seamless relocation.
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Studying a Course in the UK Under Skilled Worker Visa
The UK Skilled Worker Visa, primarily designed for employment purposes, provides a gateway for skilled professionals to contribute to the UK’s labour market. However, it also holds a ray of opportunity for those looking to further their education while working in the UK. Here’s a glimpse into the possibilities and considerations surrounding studying a course in the UK under a Skilled Worker Visa.
Balancing Work and Study
The Skilled Worker Visa allows for a balanced approach towards work and study. While fulfilling their employment obligations, visa holders can also enroll in courses that augment their skills and knowledge, making them more adept in their professional fields.
Flexible Learning Options
The UK’s education system offers a myriad of flexible learning options. Visa holders can explore part-time courses, online learning, or evening classes that can be dovetailed with their work schedules. This flexibility facilitates continuous learning without compromising their employment commitments.
Professional Development
Pursuing additional qualifications or professional development courses can be a significant boost to one’s career. The Skilled Worker Visa provides the leeway for individuals to engage in professional development, further honing their skills and opening doors for career advancement.
Networking Opportunities
Engaging in academic pursuits alongside work provides a fertile ground for networking. It’s a chance to interact with professionals from various fields, gain insights from seasoned academics, and build a network that could be instrumental in career growth.
Access to Renowned Institutions
The UK is home to numerous prestigious educational institutions. The Skilled Worker Visa provides a gateway to access these institutions, enabling individuals to learn from the crème de la crème of academia.
While the primary aim of the Skilled Worker Visa is employment, the opportunity to pursue academic endeavours adds a feather to its cap. It’s a conducive avenue for individuals keen on balancing professional commitments with continuous learning, thereby nurturing a culture of lifelong learning and professional growth.
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Medical Treatments Under the UK Skilled Worker Visa
The UK Skilled Worker Visa, predominantly tailored for employment, also opens avenues for educational pursuits. Visa holders can balance their job roles with part-time studies, enriching their professional journey. The flexible learning options in the UK, including online and evening courses, allow individuals to dovetail their academic endeavors with work commitments. This visa serves as a conduit for professional development, enabling individuals to enroll in courses that augment their skills. Moreover, the rich educational landscape of the UK, with its prestigious institutions, becomes accessible, fostering a conducive environment for learning and growth. While networking with fellow professionals and academics, visa holders can broaden their horizons, contributing more effectively to their respective fields. Thus, the Skilled Worker Visa not only facilitates employment in the UK but also nurtures a culture of continuous learning and professional enhancement.
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UK Skilled Worker Visa If You're Under 18
The UK Skilled Worker Visa is primarily aimed at skilled professionals who have secured a job offer from a recognized UK employer. However, individuals under 18 may find themselves in a unique position concerning this visa. Generally, applicants for this visa are expected to fulfill certain eligibility criteria, which include having a valid job offer and meeting the salary threshold, among others. Being under 18 might pose challenges in meeting these requirements due to age restrictions on employment. Moreover, the visa mandates a level of professional experience and qualifications which may be unattainable for individuals under 18. It’s advisable for those under 18 to explore other visa categories like student visas or child dependant visas if they have family in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa. The UK has tailored different visa categories to meet the varied needs of individuals, ensuring a suitable pathway for everyone aiming to move to the UK.
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Getting Married Under Skilled Worker Visa
The UK Skilled Worker Visa provides a structured pathway for skilled professionals to work in the UK. Additionally, it holds provisions for life events such as marriage. Visa holders can get married or form a civil partnership while on a Skilled Worker Visa. They can also apply to bring their spouse or partner to the UK as dependents, provided they meet the necessary financial and relationship requirements. This facilitates family reunification and allows visa holders to share their UK experience with their significant other. Moreover, the visa’s pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and potential citizenship can also extend to the spouse, aligning the family’s immigration status. This aspect of the Skilled Worker Visa underscores the UK’s commitment to fostering family unity alongside professional growth, making the UK a desirable destination for skilled professionals with family considerations.
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After You Have Applied for the Visa
After applying for a UK Skilled Worker Visa, await confirmation. It may take up to three weeks or longer, so be patient. Keep track of your application status online. Meanwhile, start preparing for your trip by researching about local customs, laws, and places you’d like to visit. It’s also essential to organise travel insurance covering health, travel delays, and losses. If you’ve not booked your flights and accommodations, wait and DO NOT buy ticket until your visa is approved to avoid potential losses. Remember to pack essential documents, including your passport with your visa, proof of financial sustenance, and return tickets. Lastly, make sure your passport validity extends beyond your travel dates.
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Visa Fee and Processing Time
Breaking Down the Application Fees
As a UK visa specialist who’s helped over 500 Pakistanis since 2012, I’ve seen how fee hikes sting in a volatile economy. For Skilled Worker visa applications from outside the UK as of August 2025, the standard fee is £769 for up to 3 years or £1,519 for longer stays, per the July 2025 updates. If your job’s on the immigration salary list (like certain IT or nursing roles), it drops to £590 or £1,160— a lifesaver for one Lahore client whose shortage occupation saved him £179 amid rupee slumps. These are non-refundable, so verify eligibility first to dodge wasted funds.
The Immigration Health Surcharge and Other Costs
Don’t overlook the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at £1,035 per year, payable upfront for your visa length— that’s £3,105 for a 3-year visa, ballooning to over PKR 1 million with exchange rates fluctuating. No separate biometric fee, but factor in £1,270 maintenance proof (exempt if sponsored). In my experience, a Karachi engineer faced delays proving funds due to bank volatility; stable USD accounts helped. Priority services add £500 for 5-day decisions or £1,000 for next-day super priority, available at select VFS centers—useful if Pakistan’s documentation queues (like HEC attestations) push your timeline.
Understanding Processing Times
Standard processing from Pakistan is 3 weeks post-biometrics, per the July 21, 2025, gov.uk update, though high-volume scrutiny can stretch to 6-8 weeks for complex cases. I’ve advised Peshawar clients to apply 4 months early to buffer economic migration checks. Priority cuts it to 5 days, but availability varies— one Islamabad applicant used it to avoid job offer expiry amid rupee-driven urgency. Track via VFS; delays often stem from incomplete docs, so budget for potential re-submissions costing extra in travel and time.
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Tracking Progress on Your Visa Application
Though there is no standard and easy way to track your visa application, you can ask for the concerned authorities for an update on your visa application. But you should not expect a quick response.
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Getting a Decision on the Visa Application
In most of the cases you are informed about the decision on your visa application by the email for which the email address you gave during your visa application, is used. If you have requested an SMS alert service, you will also get an alert about the completion of your visa application processing process through an SMS.
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What to Do if the Visa is Refused
Facing a refusal for the UK Skilled Worker Visa can be disheartening, but it’s not the end of the road. It’s crucial to understand the reasons for refusal, which are usually outlined in the refusal letter. Common grounds may include insufficient documentation, failing to meet the eligibility criteria, or issues with the sponsoring employer. Applicants have the option to appeal the decision or address the issues highlighted and re-apply. Seeking legal advice is advisable to better understand the refusal and the steps forward. Each re-application should be accompanied by a thorough review of the application against the outlined eligibility criteria to enhance the chances of approval in subsequent attempts.
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Extending Your Stay Under the UK Skilled Worker Visa
Eligibility and Process for Extending Your Skilled Worker Visa
In my 24 years advising Pakistani professionals in the UK, extending your Skilled Worker visa is straightforward if you maintain the same job and sponsor. As of August 2025, apply online via gov.uk before expiry, needing your CoS reference and proof of ongoing employment at £41,700 or the going rate (whichever higher), though transitional rules allow lower thresholds (£31,300) if your first CoS predates April 2024 and you extend before December 2026. For medium-skilled roles (RQF 3-5), extensions require your initial CoS before July 22, 2025, with continuous visas. Pakistanis often hit snags with updated docs—I’ve helped a Lahore IT specialist re-attest his HEC-verified degree remotely to avoid delays. Processing takes 8 weeks; opt for priority (£500) if economic pressures back home demand speed. Fees: £769 for up to 3 years, £1,519 longer, plus IHS £1,035/year.
Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR/PR)
Achieving ILR after 5 years on Skilled Worker is the goal for many Pakistanis building UK lives. By August 2025, you need 5 years’ continuous UK residence (absences under 180 days/year), B1 English (speaking/listening via approved test), and passing the Life in the UK test. Your current salary must hit £41,700 and 100% going rate—no transitional discounts here. A Karachi nurse I assisted struggled with rupee volatility eroding family savings proofs; we used UK bank statements to satisfy maintenance. Apply within 28 days of qualifying, fee £2,885/person. Note: May 2025’s white paper proposes extending to 10 years, but as of now, it’s still 5—consultation ongoing, so monitor gov.uk. Early prep counters Pakistan’s attestation delays; one Islamabad client aced ILR by starting English prep in year 3.