★★★★★
They are providing good services and resolve issues regarding visas, helping in sponsorship letters. Must visit
PK
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Work visas
UK Work Visa Lawyer in Bedford: Advice on Every Work Route
Got a UK job offer, finishing your degree, or hoping to move here to work? Basharat Hussain, an IAA regulated Immigration Lawyer at 93 Ford End Road, Bedford, finds the work route that fits and checks your salary, job code and evidence before you apply.
Skilled Worker, Health and Care, Graduate, Global Talent and switching applications, on fixed fees from £350. In person, by phone or by video, Monday to Friday, or on Saturdays by appointment.
IAA regulated · Ref F201800051
★★★★★ 5.0 · 61 Google reviews
Office, phone & video
Quick answer: which UK work visa do you need?
If you have a graduate-level job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence, you will usually need a Skilled Worker visa, which in 2026 generally needs a salary of at least £41,700 and English at B2. If you have just finished a UK degree, the Graduate visa lets you work without a sponsor. Exceptional talent and recent graduates of top global universities can use the Global Talent or High Potential Individual routes. Most work routes allow your partner and children to join you.
UK work visa routes compared
| Route | Job offer needed? | Typical length | Leads to ILR? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Yes, from a licensed sponsor | Up to 5 years, extendable | Yes |
| Health and Care Worker | Yes, eligible health role | Up to 5 years, extendable | Yes |
| Graduate | No | 2 years (18 months from 1 January 2027) | No, switch first |
| Global Talent | No, endorsement instead | Up to 5 years | Yes |
| High Potential Individual | No | 2 years (3 for a PhD) | No, switch first |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | No | 2 to 3 years, eligible nationalities | No |
Written and reviewed by Basharat Hussain, IAA regulated Immigration Lawyer (Ref F201800051). Rules checked October 2026 against GOV.UK.
Skilled Worker visa: the main sponsored route
The Skilled Worker visa is for people with a job offer from a UK employer that holds a sponsor licence. The rules tightened in July 2025 and again in January 2026, so many roles that qualified a few years ago no longer do.
- Skill level: the job must usually be at RQF Level 6, which is graduate level, with limited exceptions on the Immigration Salary List.
- Salary: generally at least £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the occupation code if higher. Lower rates can apply to new entrants and some PhD roles.
- English: B2 level for new applications made from 8 January 2026, unless you are exempt.
- Certificate of sponsorship: issued by your employer, with the job code, salary and start date that your application must match.
For the full Skilled Worker checklist, including switching and changing employer, see our Skilled Worker visa guide. Sources: GOV.UK job and salary rules and GOV.UK English requirement.
Why an accountant checks your job offer
Most Skilled Worker refusals come from details on the certificate of sponsorship, not the applicant. Basharat, who is also an accountant, checks the numbers the Home Office will check:
- Guaranteed basic pay, excluding allowances and overtime that do not count
- Hourly rate as well as annual salary, for part-time or long-hour contracts
- Occupation code matched to the real duties of the job
- Maintenance funds held for 28 days if your sponsor does not certify them
Health and Care Worker visa
This version of the Skilled Worker route is for doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and other eligible roles with the NHS, an NHS supplier or adult social care. It has lower visa fees and no Immigration Health Surcharge. Overseas recruitment of care workers through this route closed on 22 July 2025, although some people already in the UK can still switch or extend. Source: GOV.UK Health and Care Worker visa.
Graduate visa: work after a UK degree
If you complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a UK university, the Graduate visa lets you stay and work in almost any job without a sponsor. It currently lasts 2 years (3 years for a PhD), falling to 18 months for applications made from 1 January 2027. It cannot be extended, so most graduates plan a switch to the Skilled Worker route while it runs. More on our Graduate visa page. Source: GOV.UK Graduate visa.
Global Talent, High Potential Individual and Youth Mobility
- Global Talent: for leaders or emerging leaders in academia, research, arts, culture or digital technology, endorsed by an approved body. No job offer is needed. GOV.UK
- High Potential Individual: for graduates of top-ranked universities outside the UK within the last 5 years. No job offer is needed. GOV.UK
- Youth Mobility Scheme: for young people from eligible countries, usually aged 18 to 30 or 35, to live and work in the UK for up to 3 years. GOV.UK
Bringing your family on a work visa
On most work routes your husband, wife or partner and your children under 18 can join you as dependants, and your partner can work. Each family member pays their own visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, and you may need to show extra funds for them. Care workers and senior care workers cannot bring dependants, and the Youth Mobility Scheme does not allow them.
From work visa to settlement
Under the current rules, 5 years on the Skilled Worker or Health and Care route can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain. The government is reforming settlement so that many workers will wait longer, with shorter periods for higher earners and people who contribute more. We check the rules that apply on the day you plan your ILR.
Documents for a work visa application
| Evidence | Examples |
|---|---|
| Job offer | Certificate of sponsorship reference, job title, occupation code and salary |
| English | Approved B2 test certificate, a degree taught in English, or nationality exemption |
| Funds | Bank statements held for 28 days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance |
| Qualifications | Degree certificates and, where required, Ecctis confirmation |
| Health and checks | TB test certificate from listed countries; criminal record certificate for some roles |
| Family | Marriage and birth certificates for dependants |
Home Office fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge depend on the route and the length of your visa. Check the current figures on GOV.UK.
Work routes
Find your way to work in the UK
Whether you are an employee, a recent graduate or an employer in Bedfordshire, start with the route that matches you.
Skilled Worker visa
A sponsored job at RQF Level 6 or above, paying the right salary. The main route for long-term work in the UK.
Skilled Worker guideGraduate visa
For people who have just finished a UK degree. Work in any job, without a sponsor, before moving to another route.
Graduate visaGlobal Talent and HPI
For leaders in their field, or recent graduates of top global universities, without a job offer.
Talent routesFor employers
Businesses in Bedfordshire that want to hire from overseas first need a Home Office sponsor licence.
Sponsor licenceWork visa packages
Fixed-fee work visa packages
Three levels of support for Skilled Worker, Health and Care, Graduate and talent applications, all handled by Basharat Hussain. Prices start at £350 and are confirmed in writing first.
How payment works:1. Pay just £50 today2. We study your case & confirm your fee in writing3. Pay the package fee later & we start
Silver package
Expert Check
Starts from£350
Today you pay only £50. The package fee is paid later, after we study your case and confirm it in writing.
Best for you if… Your case is simple and you are happy to prepare and submit the application yourself. You just want an expert to check it first.
- One-to-one consultation (office, phone or video)
- Your case and documents reviewed by an IAA-regulated immigration lawyer
- Route, sponsor and salary checks for your job offer
- Every weak point identified, with clear advice on how to fix it
- Personal document checklist for your route
- Email support throughout your review
You prepare and submit the application yourself. Re-check after corrections is included in Gold.
Select SilverGold package
Full Review & Re-check
Starts from£450
Today you pay only £50. The package fee is paid later, after we study your case and confirm it in writing.
Best for you if… You want it right first time. You make the corrections and we re-check everything before you submit.
- Everything in Silver
- Line-by-line review of your form and every document
- We re-check your application after you make corrections
- Email support plus phone support when you need it
Submit with confidence, knowing an expert has checked it twice.
Select Gold
Most popular
Platinum package
Complete Peace of Mind
Starts from£600
Today you pay only £50. The package fee is paid later, after we study your case and confirm it in writing.
Best for you if… You have a previous refusal or a complex history, or you simply want us to handle everything for you.
- Everything in Gold
- We prepare every part of your application for you
- We upload your documents and submit on your behalf
- Unlimited support by phone, WhatsApp and email until the decision
Smooth, stress-free and fully managed. Our most popular choice.
Select PlatinumGet started for just £50
A £50 working fee gets your case moving today. We study your case, review your documents and recommend the right package for you. Your package fee is then confirmed in writing, with no surprises and no obligation to continue.
- ✓ Just £50 to get started
- ✓ Expert case study first
- ✓ Clear fee in writing
Note: Package prices are starting fees. Every case is different, so your final fee is confirmed in writing once we have assessed your case. Home Office fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge are paid separately.
Silver suits…
People weighing up a job offer or a move to the UK who want to know if they qualify.
Gold suits…
Applicants with their certificate of sponsorship ready who want a final check before they pay.
Platinum suits…
Switching from a student or Graduate visa, changing employer, or anyone who wants it fully handled.
Family and talent routes: each dependant applying with you is £250. Global Talent endorsement applications are quoted separately because of the evidence portfolio involved.
Not included: Home Office visa fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, English and TB test fees, Ecctis and translation costs. If a refusal needs an appeal or a judicial review, we will tell you and refer you to a solicitor or barrister.
How we help
From job offer to visa
One lawyer, Basharat Hussain, from the first route check to your decision, and ready for your extension or ILR later.
1
Find your route
We match your job, qualifications and plans to the right work route, including routes that need no sponsor.
2
Check the job and salary
Basharat checks the occupation code, skill level and salary on your certificate of sponsorship before you apply.
3
Prepare your evidence
You get a checklist for your route: English, maintenance funds, qualifications, TB test and dependants’ documents.
4
Plan the next step
From extensions and job changes to ILR, we map your timeline so your permission never runs out.
Client reviews
Read all 61 reviews
Clients who got their visa on time
★★★★★
Amazing service ! Got visa well before the time. Highly recommended
MT
M TahirGoogle review
Hiring from overseas?
Employers in Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes need a sponsor licence before they can offer a Skilled Worker job.
Sponsor licence advice
FAQ
Work visa questions
Need an answer for your own job offer? Call 01234 962804, Monday to Friday, or on Saturdays by appointment.
For most new applicants the general threshold is £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the job if that is higher. Lower rates can apply to new entrants, some PhD holders and roles on the Immigration Salary List. Your employer’s certificate of sponsorship must show a salary that meets the right threshold for your occupation code.
Usually yes, once you have finished your course. Many students move to the Graduate visa, which needs no job offer, or straight to a Skilled Worker visa if they have a sponsored job that meets the salary and skill level. Switching before your course ends has strict limits, so check the dates first.
Not on every route. The Graduate, High Potential Individual, Global Talent and Youth Mobility routes let you work without a sponsored job offer. The Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas do need a job with a licensed UK sponsor.
On most work routes, yes. Your partner and children under 18 can apply as your dependants and your partner can usually work. Care workers and senior care workers who applied after March 2024 cannot bring dependants, and some short-term routes do not allow them at all.
New Skilled Worker applications made from 8 January 2026 need English at B2 level, unless you are exempt, for example as a national of a majority English-speaking country or with a degree taught in English. People already on the route before that date may be assessed under the earlier rules when they extend.
Yes, but you must make a new application with a certificate of sponsorship from your new employer before you start the new job. You can usually keep working for your current employer while the application is decided.
Under the current rules most Skilled Worker visa holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years. The government is changing settlement so that many workers wait longer, so we check the rules in force when you plan your ILR.
An employer must hold a sponsor licence before it can offer you a Skilled Worker visa. If the business wants to hire you, it can apply for a licence first. Our sponsor licence page explains what employers need to know.
Answers reviewed by Basharat Hussain, IAA regulated Immigration Lawyer. Last reviewed: October 2026. Work visa rules change often, so also check GOV.UK and the current processing times.
Contact
Speak to a work visa lawyer in Bedford
Share your job title, occupation code, salary and current visa. We will tell you which route fits, whether the offer meets the rules and what you need before you apply.
- 93 Ford End Road, Bedford MK40 4JT
- 01234 962804
- info@immigrationinn.co.uk
- Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 18:00, and on Saturdays by appointment
We advise workers and graduates in Bedford, Luton, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Stevenage and Cambridge, with video appointments for anyone elsewhere in the UK.
