Glossary
Plain-English definitions of every term you'll encounter when navigating UK visa sponsorship, for both job seekers and employers.
The section of the Immigration Rules listing countries exempt from English language tests and the approved SELT tests accepted for UK visa routes.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance from the FCDO, required before applying for a visa to study or research certain sensitive subjects in the UK.
The digital document a UK employer must issue before a worker can apply for a Skilled Worker visa.
When the Home Office cuts short a visa holder's leave, typically after their sponsor's licence is revoked or they breach visa conditions.
How a Skilled Worker can switch employers in the UK — what's allowed, what triggers a new visa application, and the risks involved.
How long a Certificate of Sponsorship remains valid, what happens if it expires before the visa is granted, and what workers should do.
The upfront fee paid by visa applicants for access to NHS services during their stay, currently £1,035 per year of leave granted.
Permanent residence status in the UK, usually granted after five years of continuous lawful residence, removing the need for further visa applications.
The list of occupations eligible for a 20% salary discount under Skilled Worker sponsorship, replacing the old Shortage Occupation List.
The UK payroll tax system where employers deduct income tax and National Insurance from wages before paying — payslips are key evidence of salary compliance for sponsored workers.
The UK's framework — introduced in 2021 — that scores visa applicants against mandatory and tradeable criteria totalling 70 points.
An approved English language test required for many UK visa routes, taken with a Home Office-approved provider such as IELTS for UKVI.
The legacy list of roles in short UK supply, replaced in 2024 by the Immigration Salary List with different rules and discounts.
The primary UK work visa route for overseas nationals with a job offer from a licensed sponsor, requiring 70 points under the points-based system.
The Standard Occupational Classification code that determines whether a role qualifies for Skilled Worker sponsorship and sets its minimum salary.
An unannounced or pre-announced audit by Home Office officials to verify a sponsor is meeting its licence obligations.
The Home Office licence a UK employer must hold before it can legally hire overseas workers on a sponsored route.
The Home Office powers to suspend or permanently revoke a sponsor's licence for compliance failures, leaving sponsored workers at risk.
A subset of the Immigration Salary List identifying occupations with time-limited 20% salary discounts due to recognised UK labour shortages.
The predecessor to the Skilled Worker visa, abolished in December 2020 when the UK's points-based immigration system launched.
Remaining in the UK after leave to remain has expired without valid status — a breach of immigration law with consequences including entry bans. Covers the 14-day exception and Section 3C leave.
The entry sticker placed in a passport for overseas visa applicants, valid for 30 days to enter the UK before collecting a Biometric Residence Permit.