Skilled Worker Visa UK: Everything You Need to Know as An Employer in The Hospitality Sector
In the UK, there is currently a great demand for a wide range of specialized professions in the hospitality industry, including culinary arts, hotel management, and event planning. Since before the pandemic, the demand for qualified professionals in the hospitality industry has increased by 46%, making it difficult for many firms to fill these crucial roles. If you’re reading this, you probably already know about this trend and are thinking about applying for a Sponsor License so you may use the UK Skilled Worker Visa to hire new employees for your company.
It can be difficult to navigate the complexity of skilled migration; some business owners have to overcome months’ worth of regulatory obstacles to properly relocate new staff. We’ve created a guide on the UK Skilled Worker Visa and how you, as an employer in the hospitality sector, can apply for it successfully to fulfill your staffing needs to streamline this process.
Skilled Worker Visa UK: What It Is and Who It Is For?
The Tier 2 (General) work visa has been superseded by the Skilled Worker Visa, which is now a crucial part of business immigration in the UK. It permits foreign people to work in the UK for a maximum of five years if they meet certain requirements and have relevant expertise. Because the word “skilled worker” can be very vague and wide, it can be difficult to define which jobs fall into this group.
Which jobs in hospitality fall under the UK Skilled Worker Visa category?
It is now simpler to attract talented individuals to the hospitality sector since many positions in the sector are eligible for the UK Skilled Worker Visa. Among the important positions are:
- Managers and owners of hotels and other lodging establishments (e.g., hotel manager, caravan park owner, landlady)
- Managers and owners of restaurants and catering establishments, such as restaurant managers, café owners, and catering operations managers
- Managers and publicans of establishments with a license (such as a wine bar manager, publican, or licensee)
- Managers of recreation and sports (such as those in theatres, leisure centers, and social clubs)
- Managers and owners of travel agencies (such as travel managers, managers of tourist information, and owners of travel agencies)
- Managers and organizers of conferences and exhibits (such as event planners, conference coordinators, and hotel managers)
- The UK Skilled Worker Visa is a good option if you’re trying to hire qualified workers for any of these positions.
How To Get Your Sponsor Licence for A Skilled Worker Visa in the United Kingdom?
You must have a current Sponsor License to hire people under the UK Skilled Worker Visa. With this license, you can lawfully sponsor foreign workers, but you must also establish the validity of your company, name a key contact at the home office, and provide information about your HR systems.
This is a detailed how-to for obtaining your sponsor license:
Verify your company’s eligibility by doing an eligibility check. You cannot be convicted of any crimes, including money laundering, fraud, or immigration. Furthermore, if you have had a sponsor license revoked within the last 12 months, you are ineligible to apply. Additionally, your company needs to have adequate monitoring measures in place for sponsored staff.
Work Suitability:
Confirm that the position you wish to support qualifies for the UK Skilled Worker Visa. Every employment role has a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code assigned to it. To determine the appropriate SOC code and make sure it corresponds with the job description, use the ONS occupation coding tool. Obtaining the accurate SOC code is essential, as using the wrong code may result in the denial of a visa application.
License Type: Select the sponsor license type that best meets your company’s requirements.
Sponsorship Management: Choose a manager for your company’s sponsorship responsibilities.
Application Process: Complete the online application and pay the required cost to get your sponsor license. It should take roughly half an hour to finish this simple process.
Businesses wishing to hire skilled workers through the Skilled Worker Visa UK must have a sponsor license; following these procedures will assist in guaranteeing a seamless application process.
Following Your Sponsor License Application
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may examine after you’ve completed your application for a Sponsor Licence to make sure everything is in order. If your application is accepted, you will be granted a licensing rating that will enable you to provide sponsorship certificates. The license is good for four years, but if you don’t fulfill your sponsoring obligations, it might be canceled.
You’ll have access to a larger talent pool and a lot more growth prospects if your Sponsor Licence is still current. You must have a job offer for the skilled worker and make sure they meet the requirements for the skilled worker visa to sponsor them. The role needs to be at or above RQF Level 3 (A-Level equivalent), and you have to pay at least the current minimum salary of £26,200 annually (certain exceptions apply).
The worker will need to submit supporting evidence, such as proof of qualifications, employment history, and financial stability when they apply for their visa. It is your duty as the sponsor to keep thorough records of their employment and to notify the Home Office of any changes.
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