The United Kingdom is reputed as a country that places emphasis on worker talent. The country offers diverse opportunities across various sectors of employment. If you are among those looking to live and work in the UK, the Skilled Worker visa could be your route to enter the country. 

The UK government has incorporated the New Entrant route within the Skilled Worker visa framework. This was done considering the difficulties prospective applicants faced when lodging the application, especially early-career professionals. The New Entrant route offers a more accessible entry point, and this will play a significant role in attracting skilled workers to the UK.

What is the Skilled Worker Visa?

Before getting to know what the New Entrant route is, let’s take a brief look at what is the Skilled Worker visa. 

The Skilled Worker visa replaced the Tier 2 visa, and is currently the main work visa for international applicants when applying. Applicants must meet the required criteria when applying for this visa. 

Also known as the ‘General’ visa for skilled workers, employers in the UK can sponsor non-UK nationals (overseas workers) to be employed for jobs that need specialized skills. However do keep in mind that the applicant is required to score 70 points when being evaluated for suitability. The following factors could affect the outcome of your application

• An eligible job. The job you are applying for should ideally point to a required skill in the UK job market for the job being offered. 
• Employee/worker skill level. You should be
• The minimum salary that will be paid.
• The ability of the English language (speaking, understanding, reading, and writing). Qualify at least to the level B1 on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) for Languages (CEFR) scale. To prove your English proficiency, sit for the Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved and certified language agency in your own country.
• The sponsor should have a valid sponsorship licence. This is termed as The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
• Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself once you are in the UK. This is essential, unless your employer certifies to see to your well being as specified in the CoS.

What’s new with the New Entrant Route?

Until recently, the most common route to the UK, if you wanted to work in the UK, the Skilled Worker visa or formally known as the Tier 2 General visa was the way to apply. However this method was recently changed by the UK immigration due to difficulties the applicants faced when applying for the visa. Particularly where their minimum salary was concerned, especially among young workers whose salaries didn’t meet the threshold stipulated by the UK immigration.

The Skilled Worker visa, formerly known as the Tier 2 General visa, is one of the most common routes for non-UK citizens to work in the United Kingdom. Recently, however, the UK immigration system has seen various changes, particularly to the minimum salary thresholds to sponsor workers under this route. This has created some concern among young individuals looking to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa. 

The New Entrant route addresses this issue by reducing the salary threshold and enabling younger workers to apply without being denied the visa. The New Entrant skilled worker however will need to have a minimum salary of £30,960 in order for the application to be considered favorably.

This change allows employers to not only work out the visa easily, but also attract workers with skills to the UK thereby making the UK’s talent pool more diverse and accessible.

Who Qualifies as a “New Entrant”?

To be eligible for the New Entrant route, as the applicant you will typically need to meet some of the following criteria.

• Recent graduate – Have recently graduated from a UK Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree, or certain other specific UK qualifications such as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education). This also applies if you are still studying a PhD and have completed at least 12 months in the UK.
• Age – The applicant should be below the age of 26 at the time of lodging the application.
• Postdoctoral position – If you have a job offer for a postdoctoral position in specific science or higher education occupation codes, this will certainly help.
• Professional training or qualification – If you are working towards a recognized UK professional qualification, or are on a full registration/chartered status with the relevant professional body for the sponsored job.
• Previous visa holder – If you are already holding or previously held a Student/Graduate visa from a recognised institution and qualification, you may qualify for the new entrant route.

Benefits of the New Entrant Route

Possibly the primary and biggest advantage of the New Entrant route is the lower salary threshold. While the general minimum salary is £38,700, new entrants can be paid between 70% and 90% of the standard ‘going rate’ for their job, provided their salary is at least £30,960 per year. This significantly reduces the financial barrier for many aspiring professionals.

The application process

The application process for the Skilled Worker visa, including the New Entrant route, usually begins 3 before you are expected to start work at your new place of employment.

1. Job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) – Secure the job offer from the employer in the UK. In addition to the job offer, they should hold a valid sponsor licence. The employer will issue a CoS, which is an electronic record confirming your employment details. The CoS must clearly state that you are being sponsored as a ‘new entrant’ and outline how you meet the criteria.
2. Ensuring eligibility criteria is met – Ensure you meet all the requirements for the Skilled Worker visa, including the specific New Entrant criteria (age, recent graduate status, etc.), English language proficiency, and financial maintenance.
3. Gather documentation – Prepare all necessary documents, including your passport, CoS reference number, proof of qualifications, English language certificate, and financial evidence.
4. Complete the online application – Apply online via the UK government’s official website.
5. Biometrics – Provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photo).
6. Await decision – Depending on the information provided and your suitability to enter the UK as a skilled worker, the home office will assess your application and let you know if you are permitted to work in the UK under the Skilled Worker Visa New Entrant or not.

Conclusion

The Skilled Worker visa with the New Entrant route is a well thought of and designed pathway that addresses the realities of early-career professionals seeking opportunities in the UK. 

By offering a lower salary threshold and recognizing a broader range of entry-level experiences, it actively contributes to the UK’s ability to attract and retain global talent. 

For ambitious individuals looking to kickstart their professional journey in the UK, understanding, and utilizing this route can be the key to unlocking a world of opportunity for themselves as well as contributing to the nation’s economic growth.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute of legal advice.