The UK is a top destination for skilled IT professionals looking to advance their careers. Every year, the country welcomes talented individuals from around the world to help drive innovation in its digital economy. If you’re an IT professional, the UK offers excellent job opportunities, a low unemployment rate, and the chance to experience British culture. However, before you can work in the UK, you need the right visa. Here’s a simple guide to the best UK visa options for skilled IT professionals in 2024.
1. Tier 2 General Visa (Skilled Worker Visa)
The Tier 2 General Visa, also known as the Skilled Worker Visa, is the most common visa for skilled IT professionals who want to work in the UK. This visa allows you to work in the UK if you have a confirmed job offer from a licensed UK employer.
To qualify, you need to meet these key requirements:
- Job Offer: A confirmed offer from a licensed UK employer.
- Skill Level: The job must meet the required skill level of RQF Level 3 or above (equivalent to A-level).
- English Language: You must prove your English language ability.
From January 2021, the UK switched to a points-based immigration system. For the Tier 2 (General) Visa, you need to score 70 points. Here’s how:
- 50 points for a job offer from an approved sponsor, meeting the required skill level, and proving your English proficiency.
- 20 points for meeting additional criteria, such as a higher salary or a PhD in a relevant field.
The Tier 2 visa is ideal for skilled IT professionals who have a job offer and meet these requirements.
2. Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent Visa was launched in February 2020 to attract the best talent worldwide, especially in fields like digital technology, science, and the arts. This visa is for highly skilled professionals who are recognized as leaders or emerging leaders in their fields.
To apply, you must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body. For IT professionals, Tech Nation is the designated body for assessing applications in the digital technology sector.
Key points about the Global Talent Visa:
- You must be endorsed as a leader in your field (exceptional talent) or as an emerging leader (exceptional promise).
- Tech Nation is the endorsing body for IT professionals, especially those in digital technology and business.
- From January 2021, this visa will be available to both EU and non-EU citizens.
This visa is perfect for top IT talent who are internationally recognized in their field and want to work or run a business in the UK.
3. Start-up and Innovator Visas
If you’re an IT professional with a great business idea or startup, the Start-up and Innovator Visas might be the right options for you.
- Start-up Visa: Designed for those starting their first innovative business. You don’t need investment funding, but you do need to prove that your business idea is innovative, viable, and scalable.
- Innovator Visa: For more experienced entrepreneurs with at least £50,000 in funding. This visa is for individuals who want to run a business in the UK and need support from an endorsing body to confirm their business idea.
Both of these routes are open to non-EU nationals, and from January 2021, the UK will apply the same rules to both EU and non-EU citizens.
These visas are great for IT professionals who want to bring their innovative ideas to the UK and become part of the vibrant UK tech ecosystem.
4. Skilled Worker Visa Cost Calculator
Are you wondering how much a Skilled Worker Visa will cost? You can easily calculate the visa application cost with our handy online calculator. It takes into account various factors, such as the number of dependents and the length of your visa, so you can plan ahead.
For IT professionals looking to immigrate to the UK, there are several visa options to consider. Whether you’re looking for a job with a UK employer, want to be recognized as a leader in digital technology, or are planning to start your own business, the UK offers a variety of immigration routes for skilled workers.
If you are an IT professional planning to move to the UK, Law and Visas is here to help. With our experienced immigration lawyers, we can guide you through the entire process of choosing the right visa, preparing your application, and ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws. Contact us today to start your journey toward working in the UK!
