Immigration support for barristers

In order to be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa, you must be able to demonstrate that you:

• have an offer for funded pupillage (after which you aim to practise in at the Bar of England and Wales) or tenancy within a set of chambers
• have a valid practising certificate where one is available (i.e. from the practising period of your pupillage onwards)
• are eligible, if applicable, to switch to the Skilled Worker route from your current visa

• have minimum annual gross projected earnings of £36,680 as a pupil barrister and £52,400 as a tenant (Based on 37.5 hour week). If you have an existing skilled worker visa pre 4 April 2024, the minimum annual gross projected earnings for a tenant is £30,100 (Based upon a 37.5 hour week).

• have £1,270 of personal savings, held for at least 28 consecutive days. Day 28 must fall within 31 days of applying for the relevant visa; and
• are satisfied that you meet all other UKVI requirements for the Skilled Worker visa. Please visit the UKVI website for further information

Before making an application, you must check that you meet UKVI’s Skilled Worker application criteria and the Bar Council’s applicant criteria. You must also be able to provide the following documentation in support of your application:

• a photocopy or scan of your passport photo page;
• where applicable, a photocopy or scan of your current UK visa;
• evidence that the application fee (as detailed under ‘Fees’ below) has been paid and, where relevant, that your Chambers has paid the immigration skills charge;
• where applicable, a photocopy or scan of your practicing certificate;
• a photocopy or scan of your national insurance card or national insurance number notification letter from HMRC or the Department for Work and Pensions;
• a copy of your offer letter from chambers, signed by a Senior Clerk or Head of Chambers; and
• a letter from your Chambers confirming the start and end dates of your funded pupillage or tenancy and your annual gross projected earnings; evidencing the value of any allowances given to you as part of your funded pupillage or tenancy, and declaring that they understand the terms of your leave to remain under ‘Skilled Worker’. Please download and send this supporting letter from chambers tier 2 template letter to your chambers to fill out; and
• evidence that the application fee (as detailed under ‘Fees’ below) has been paid.

Please note that all letters from chambers must be on headed paper, signed and dated by either the Head of Chambers, Senior Clerk or Chief Executive.

To make an application, complete our Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship application form and submit it to [email protected] or send it to Immigration Support, The General Council of the Bar, 289–293 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7HZ. Please ensure that you include any documentation in support of your application with your Form.

• Download application form

Once submitted, your application will be considered by the Bar Council, who will aim to inform you of the outcome within two weeks of satisfactory receipt of both the relevant payment and all supporting documentation. If successful, you will be sent a Certificate of Sponsorship by email, which you can then use to apply to UKVI for your Skilled Worker visa.

You will need to quote the Certificate of Sponsorship number on your UKVI application form. A Certificate of Sponsorship is valid for three months from the date it is assigned. If you do not use the Certificate of Sponsorship within this period to apply for entry clearance or leave to remain, it automatically becomes invalid. During this period, a migrant intending to come to the UK under Skilled worker cannot be assigned another Certificate of Sponsorship by any other licensed sponsor.

The Bar Council has produced additional guidance for chambers who are seeking to recruit nationals as a pupil barrister or tenant.

The Bar Council charges a fee for this service, which varies according to the duration of the sponsorship period and the volume of administrative work required in order to support the application. Please consult the Immigration Payment Options Information document for further information.