Securing a Sponsored Training Contract for a Skilled Worker Visa (Part 2 of 2)
Are you an international student who completed your law degree in the UK and are ready to launch your legal career? Most likely, in this case, there is one big problem which you need to resolve first: visa sponsorship. Without it, your dreams of becoming a solicitor in the UK may come to an abrupt halt. So, how can you secure a sponsored training contract and take the next step? Let’s break it down.
In Part 1, I explored the key requirements for securing a Skilled Worker visa as a law graduate. Now, I will focus on the crucial next step – securing a training contract with a sponsoring law firm.
If you are an international law graduate aiming to qualify as a solicitor in the UK, securing a training contract with a sponsoring law firm is essential. Without visa sponsorship, you will not be able to stay and work in the UK long-term.
This article will guide you through:
- How to apply only to law firms that offer visa sponsorship
- Why training contracts are the key to a Skilled Worker visa
- The salary requirements for both trainee and qualified solicitors
- How to transition from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa
- Why the Graduate visa is not a practical long-term option
- How to plan for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK
By understanding the sponsorship requirements and planning your career path early, you can avoid visa complications and work towards permanent residency in the UK.
If you missed Part 1, it covered the visa eligibility criteria and why applying only to sponsoring law firms is essential.
The Importance of Applying Only to Sponsoring Firms
The UKVI’s register of licensed sponsors lists all employers authorised to sponsor Skilled Worker visa applicants. If a law firm does not appear on this register, it cannot sponsor a trainee solicitor who requires a visa to remain in the UK.
Since only licensed firms can offer training contracts with visa sponsorship, students should focus their applications on these firms. Applying elsewhere will not lead to a Skilled Worker visa and is a waste of time.
Why Training Contracts Are Essential for Sponsorship
A trainee solicitor role qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa if it meets certain requirements:
- Skill level: The role must be at RQF Level 6 (equivalent to a degree level) or higher.
- Salary requirement: The salary must meet the minimum threshold for the occupation (as outlined by the Home Office).
However, to be eligible for sponsorship, your role should fall under a valid SOC 2020 occupation code. Since the previous code 2413 for trainee solicitors is no longer valid, the new code for trainee solicitor roles is 2419.
The New SOC Code: 2419 – Legal Professionals Not Elsewhere Classified
This current code for trainee solicitors applies to roles such as Solicitor’s Clerk (Articled). Under this code, the minimum salary requirement is £30,960 per year or £15.88 per hour. This makes it possible for international law graduates to qualify under the Skilled Worker visa, but it’s crucial to understand the transition process after qualification.
As discussed in Part 1, choosing a role that meets the Skilled Worker visa criteria from the beginning is critical. This section outlines what happens once you qualify as a solicitor.
The Transition After Qualification: From Trainee Solicitor to Fully Qualified Solicitor
Many students overlook a critical step. After qualifying as a solicitor, you must reapply for a Skilled Worker visa under SOC code 2412. The new code for qualified solicitors under 2412 has a much higher salary threshold of £52,300 per year, which is significantly higher than the trainee solicitor threshold of £30,960. This transition could pose a challenge if the employer cannot meet the higher salary requirement.
Switching from a Student Visa to a UK Skilled Worker Visa as a Law Graduate
International students can switch directly from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Key Requirements for Switching
To switch from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa, an applicant must:
- Have a valid job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor
- Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from their employer
- Ensure the job is at the required skill level
- Meet the salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa
- Pass the English language requirement (already satisfied if they completed a UK degree)
The application must be submitted before the Student visa expires, or the applicant will need to leave the UK and reapply from abroad.
Application Process
- Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK-licensed employer
- Submit the Skilled Worker visa application online
- Pay the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Provide biometric data
- Wait for a decision (usually within three weeks for applications inside the UK)
Once the Skilled Worker visa is granted, the applicant can legally work in the UK under the terms of their sponsorship.
Previously, I explained the visa options available to law graduates, including the Graduate visa. Here, I examine why the Skilled Worker visa is the better long-term solution.
Why the Graduate Visa Is Not the Best Long-Term Option
Some graduates consider applying for a Graduate visa before switching to a Skilled Worker visa. While this offers short-term flexibility, it has several disadvantages.
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The Graduate Visa Does Not Lead to Settlement
A Graduate visa does not count toward Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), unless you eventually apply under the long residence route (ILR because of of your 10-year lawful residence in the UK). Even if an applicant works in the UK for two years on a Graduate visa, they will still need to switch to a Skilled Worker visa to start the ILR process.
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It Is an Unnecessary Expense
The Graduate visa requires additional costs, including:
- Graduate visa fee: £822
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year
Since graduates will still need to apply for a Skilled Worker visa later, this means paying for two visas instead of one.
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It Delays the Path to ILR
The Skilled Worker visa leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years. Since time spent on a Graduate visa does not count toward ILR, switching directly to a Skilled Worker visa helps graduates settle at least 2 years sooner.
For these reasons, law graduates should apply for a Skilled Worker visa as soon as they secure sponsorship, rather than relying on a Graduate visa.
How to Plan for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) allows a visa holder to live and work in the UK without restrictions. It is the final step before applying for British citizenship.
To apply for ILR under the Skilled Worker route, an applicant needs to:
- Have lived in the UK for five continuous years on a Skilled Worker visa
- Meet the minimum salary requirement at the time of applying
- Pass the Life in the UK Test
- Prove they meet the English language requirement at the level of B1 (unless they are from the majority English speaking country or exempt).
Once ILR is granted, the individual no longer needs a visa to work or live in the UK.
How to Ensure a Smooth Transition to ILR
To avoid complications when applying for ILR, Skilled Worker visa holders should:
- Keep track of their visa expiry date and apply for extensions if necessary
- Ensure their salary meets the minimum ILR threshold before applying
- Maintain continuous employment with a UK-licensed sponsor
- Keep records of tax payments and work history to support their ILR application.
Building a legal career in the UK as an international graduate requires strategic planning. The Skilled Worker visa offers a structured route, but securing a sponsored training contract is essential for long-term success. Without sponsorship, remaining and working in the UK beyond your studies will be challenging.
If you’re serious about securing a Skilled Worker visa and qualifying as a solicitor in the UK, start by identifying law firms that offer sponsorship. Research, apply strategically, and take control of your career today.