How to meet the Financial Requirement for the Skilled Worker Visa

The Financial Requirement is one of the key requirements of the Skilled Worker Visa. You can meet the financial requirement in two ways for your Skilled Worker Visa.

The first is the self-maintenance method, where you have to show at least a minimum amount of £1270.00 held in your bank for a period of at least 28 days or more. The second is the sponsor-maintenance method, where your sponsor certifies your maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship. It is important to have this discussion with your UK Sponsor before the Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned to you. The minimum financial requirement is increased if your dependents are also joining you in the UK. Our Immigration Solicitors and Barristers can advise you on how you could meet the Financial Requirement and successfully apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

What is the Financial Requirement?

The Financial Requirement is one of the key requirements of the Skilled Worker Visa. Its purpose is to show that you have sufficient funds to maintain and accommodate yourself whilst you are in the UK without access to public funds. You can meet the financial requirement in two ways for your Skilled Worker Visa. The first is the self- maintenance method, where you have to show at least a minimum amount of £1270.00 held in your bank for a period of at least 28 days or more. The second is the sponsor-maintenance method, where your sponsor certifies your maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship. It is important to have this discussion with your UK Sponsor before the Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned to you.

What are the Financial Requirements under the Self-Maintenance Method?

Under the Self-Maintenance Method of meeting the Financial Requirement, you must show that you have at least minimum financial amount of £1270.00 in your bank account for a consecutive period of 28 days. The evidence you submit for demonstrating that you meet the Financial Requirement has to be within 31 days of the date of your application.

If you have dependents, the minimum financial amount is increased as follows:

• An additional sum of £285.00 for a dependant partner;

• An additional sum of £315.00 for the first child; and

• An additional sum of £200.00 for each additional child.

If you are unsure whether you meet the Financial Requirement of the Skilled Worker Visa, you may want to speak to our expert Immigration Lawyers for legal advice and representation.

What are the Financial Requirements under the Sponsor-Maintenance Method?

Under the Sponsor-Maintenance Method of meeting the Financial Requirement, your UK Sponsor must certify on the Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) before it is assigned to you that will cover your maintenance and accommodation costs of at least minimum financial amount of £1270.00 during your first month in the UK. It is therefore important to have this discussion with your UK Sponsor in advance before the Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned to you.

Do you have to meet the Financial Requirement if you are switching to the Skilled Worker Visa from within the UK?

No, you will not need to meet the Financial Requirement if you are switching to the Skilled Worker Visa from within the UK providing that you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.

Please note that you cannot switch to the Skilled Worker Visa in the UK if your previous visa is either of the following:

• Visit Visa;

• Short-term student visa;

• Parent of a child student visa;

• Seasonal worker visa; and

• Domestic worker in a private household visa.

You also cannot switch to the Skilled Worker Visa if you are on immigration bail or you were given permission to stay in the UK outside the Immigration Rules.

If you would like to know more about applying to switch to the Skilled Worker Visa in the UK, you may want to speak to our expert Immigration Solicitors and Barristers for legal advice and representation.