The Skilled Worker Visa UK is issued to qualified foreign national applicants to work for an approved sponsor in a skill-eligible role in the United Kingdom. 

If you are an international worker making an application for a sponsored visa to work in the UK, it is important to understand the eligibility and application requirements to be met under the Skilled Worker visa along with the processing time of the application. 

In general, applications for a Skilled Worker visa take up to 8 weeks if applied from within the UK and up to 3 weeks for applications outside the UK. Depending on where the Skilled worker visa application is carried out, fast processing may be paid for. 

Processing Time for a UK Skilled Worker Visa 

Overseas applications: 

According to GOV.UK, if the application for the Skilled Worker visa is done outside the UK, it takes 3 weeks for processing.

Applications Inside the UK: 

If you are in the UK and wish to switch or extend your stay on a UK Skilled Worker visa, then the process usually takes 8 weeks standard duration, but applications are now averaging 9 weeks for the Skilled Worker visa to be decided as a result of high demand worldwide. 

Priority Services: 

Priority services provide options for speedy processing at an additional fee. This would take only 5 working days to decide or sometimes the very next workday. 

Factors Influencing Processing Time: 

The processing time may also depend upon several factors such as the kind of complexity pertaining to your application. 

Skilled Worker Visa Timeline

Timeline according to the different application stages:

Job Offer and CoS: A few weeks to a couple of months can be set aside for obtaining a job offer from a UK employer having a valid sponsorship licence. The employer will send you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is a unique reference number for your visa application. 

Preparation of Document: 1-2 weeks can be expected for this stage. Collect required documents, including, CoS, passport, financial evidence, English proficiency proof, and any other necessary documents. 

Online Visa Application: This can be done within a few hours. Fill in the Skilled Worker Visa UK application form online, pay the application fee as well as the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and schedule an appointment for biometrics. 

Biometric Appointment: This is typically done within 1-2 weeks. Visit a UK Visa and Citizenship Application (UKVCAS) Centre to give your fingerprints and photographs together with all required documents. 

Visa Processing Standard: Standard processing may take up to 8 weeks, with fast options for increased fees. 

Decision and Notification: Within the chosen visa processing time, a letter or an email with the decision will be sent. An approved visa will have a vignette stamped on the passport, and upon arrival in the UK, the applicant will receive a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

Conclusion 

Hiring an immigration solicitor will help you complete the process faster by meeting all the requirements timely. Make sure to provide all details and meet all compliance requirements of the Home Office including the salary requirement for a Skilled Worker Visa.