Relocating to the UK to work

Certificate of Sponsorship

The University of Salford will issue Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to candidates once all checks are completed and the job's eligibility for sponsorship is confirmed. This request can only be made by HRAdvice. 

Tuberculosis certificate requirements

You will need to have a tuberculosis test at a UKVI approved clinic if you are coming to the UK for more than six months and are a resident in any of these listed countries. If your test shows you do not have tuberculosis you will be given a certificate that is valid for six months. You will need to include this certificate with your UK visa application. 
You do not need to apply for a tuberculosis certificate if:

• You are a diplomat accredited to the UK.
• You are a returning UK resident and have not been away for more than two years
• You lived for at least six months in a country where tuberculosis screening is not required by the UK, and you have been away from that country for no more than six months.

Knowledge of English

You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply unless you did this in a previous successful visa application.

Level of English

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

You can prove your knowledge of English by:

• Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT)
• Having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18
• Having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English - if you studied abroad, you’ll need to apply through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) for confirmation that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD

Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• British Overseas Territories
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• USA

Things to consider when applying for your visa

1. Visa fees: These are subject to frequent updates. For the most up-to-date information, refer to the UKVI website.
2. IHS fee: Applicants planning to stay in the UK for more than 6 months must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee, regardless of whether they have private medical insurance. 
3. Visa processing timeline: Upon attending your appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to provide fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information), UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) begins processing your application.

Dependants

If you have dependants in the UK, they will not require a Certificate of Sponsorship, but they will need to apply for an extension of their visa in the UK.

The Home Office guidance on partner and children’s partner and children dependants should be referred to.

Dependants normally apply at the same time as the main applicant. Their details can be included in the main applicant’s online application to form a ‘Family group’ application.

The online application will ask whether any dependants are applying, and the details are added by specifying whether they are a 'dependant partner or spouse' or a 'dependant child'. When applying as a ‘Family group’ the combined visa fees for all those applying must be paid as one amount, the combined NHS Surcharge must also be paid. Where dependants are applying from within the UK separately from the main applicant each dependant will need to submit their own separate online application. 

Next step after submission of application

Once their skilled worker application has been granted, the applicant should receive an Entry Clearance vignette (visa sticker) in their passport as well as a decision letter.

The visa sticker will be valid for around 30 days and will allow the applicant to enter the UK within that period.

The decision letter will confirm the full dates for which the skilled worker visa has been granted, as well as the address of the Post Office from which their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) can be collected, and the date from which their BRP should be available for collection. This will be based on the applicant’s work location and intended travel date listed in their visa application.

Applicants will need to present their passport, visa sticker, and decision letter when collecting their BRP. An applicant must collect their BRP within 10 days and could face a financial penalty and/or have their visa curtailed if they do not.

While the vignette used to enter the UK is valid for 90 days, if a visa holder's arrival and start in their role is delayed by more than 28 days their sponsorship must be cancelled, unless the delay was for a serious and unavoidable reason, and they would have to leave and apply again for a new visa from outside the UK.

Additional Information

• Any documents not in English must be accompanied by a fully certified translation.
• The Home Office strongly recommends against booking travel to the UK before a visa is issued.