Skilled worker visa requirements

[williamdavis27]

Hi all! For the purposes of the skilled worker visa, are trainee solicitors regarded as “solicitors” or “legal professionals not elsewhere classified?” I presume being a trainee qualifies one for the lowered salary requirement of 70% of the going rate (please correct me if I’m wrong), but even so my TC salary will only clear this bar if trainees are considered legal professionals not elsewhere classified. Thanks!!

 

[jmak]

Hi all! For the purposes of the skilled worker visa, are trainee solicitors regarded as “solicitors” or “legal professionals not elsewhere classified?” I presume being a trainee qualifies one for the lowered salary requirement of 70% of the going rate (please correct me if I’m wrong), but even so my TC salary will only clear this bar if trainees are considered legal professionals not elsewhere classified. Thanks!!

Most TC salaries are above the minimum threshold so I wouldn't be concerned about the salary requirement. If the salary is below the minimum threshold then the firm likely does not sponsor too

 

[williamdavis27]

Most TC salaries are above the minimum threshold so I wouldn't be concerned about the salary requirement. If the salary is below the minimum threshold then the firm likely does not sponsor too

My TC is for a regional office. It is a fairly big international firm and they do sponsor visas post TC, although what I’m worried about is the TC period itself. If trainees are classed as “solicitors” for visa purposes, there is a minimum salary requirement of £36,610 which my salary will not meet. However, if they’re classed as “legal professionals not elsewhere classified,” the minimum salary is £30,960, which my salary does clear. That’s why I’m trying to work out how trainee solicitors are classed when it comes to applying for skilled worker visas

 

[jmak]

My TC is for a regional office. It is a fairly big international firm and they do sponsor visas post TC, although what I’m worried about is the TC period itself. If trainees are classed as “solicitors” for visa purposes, there is a minimum salary requirement of £36,610 which my salary will not meet. However, if they’re classed as “legal professionals not elsewhere classified,” the minimum salary is £30,960, which my salary does clear. That’s why I’m trying to work out how trainee solicitors are classed when it comes to applying for skilled worker visas

You would be considered a graduate so you would need to only meet the minimum salary threshold which is £30,960

 

[Jessica Booker]

It is usually the following code - they are sticking to old terminology of “articled clerk” for trainees

 

[williamdavis27]

It is usually the following code - they are sticking to old terminology of “articled clerk” for trainees

View attachment 6192

Hi Jessica, thanks for this! So just to be certain, being paid £30,960 is sufficient for a trainee solicitor to qualify for a skilled worker visa?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, thanks for this! So just to be certain, being paid £30,960 is sufficient for a trainee solicitor to qualify for a skilled worker visa?

I can’t advise on that as I am not an immigration specialist, I can only talk about the code that is generally used.

I would speak to your firm about this.

 

[senjigreg]

From what I know, trainee solicitors usually fall under the “legal professionals not elsewhere classified” category, so that should mean you're eligible for the 70% salary threshold. It depends on how your firm classifies the role, but most trainees I’ve heard about were considered in that category for visa purposes. Also, when my cousin needed help with documents for their visa, we had to figure out how to apostille a birth certificate for some official paperwork. The process was smoother than expected, just followed the instructions carefully.