Programmers and Software Development Professionals

Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors - 

Programmers and Software Development Professionals – UK Visa Applications

Software engineering covers a myriad of different roles and getting the right programmers and software development professionals for your business often means competing for global talent in an increasingly buoyant international recruitment market.

Skilled and experienced programmers and software development professionals in the UK are highly prized – the term programmer is often a simplification of the role involved, and because of the skills shortage in STEM subjects in the UK, recruitment from overseas can be essential to meet recruitment targets and fulfil business objectives.

Duncan Lewis business immigration solicitors can advise businesses on overseas recruitment of programmers and software development professionals – who are eligible to work in the UK under the regulations covering occupations skilled to NQF Level 6.

Duncan Lewis business immigration lawyers frequently advise companies on Skilled Worker (formerly known as Tier 2) applications – as well as advising on recruiting recent overseas graduates who have qualified in the UK and wish to take up an appointment as a programmer or software development professional after graduation.

Any Skilled Worker (formerly known as Tier 2) applicants can be sponsored for jobs in certain occupations – and the government has drawn up a list of eligible occupations for programmers and software development professionals wishing to apply for a Skilled Worker (formerly known as Tier 2) visa to take up a position in the UK.

UK Visas & Immigration regulations set out Codes of Practice for Skilled Workers such as programmers and software development professionals.

Under the regulations, the sort of roles within a company that would be eligible for a Skilled Worker (formerly known as Tier 2) visa application include:

• Analyst-programmer
• Database developer
• Games programmer
• Programmer
• Software engineer.

UK Visas & Immigration rules also set out the types of duties programmers and software development professionals might undertake to qualify for a Skilled Worker (formerly known as Tier 2) visa, including:

• examines existing software and determines requirements for new/modified systems in the light of business needs
• undertakes feasibility study to design software solutions
• writes and codes individual programs according to specifications
• develops user interfaces
• tests and corrects software programs
• writes code for specialist programming for computer games (for example, artificial intelligence, 3D engine development)
• implements and evaluates the software
• plans and maintains database structures
• writes operational documentation and provides subsequent support and training for users.

We will be able to advise you further on this; kindly get in touch with us at privateimmigration@duncanlewis.com / businessimmigration@duncanlewis.com 

Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors – UK Visa Applications & Appeals – Programmers and Software Development Professionals

Applying for a Skilled Worker (formerly known as Tier 2) visa for programmers and software development professionals joining your UK operation requires expert legal advice on the preparation of the visa application to ensure no delays occur.

Companies should be aware that any delays in the Skilled Worker (formerly known as Tier 2) visa application process might potentially jeopardise the timely take up of a programmer and software developer appointment.

Duncan Lewis immigration experts are one of the UK’s leading specialist immigration and business immigration solicitors, with a highly successful track record in advising companies on UK business immigration law and the UK visa application process.

Duncan Lewis immigration lawyers have offices nationwide and in most major cities – and our national and London immigration lawyers regularly advise companies wishing to recruit high-calibre programmers and software development professionals from overseas on:

• Skilled Worker (formerly known as Tier 2) Licence 
• Skilled Worker (formerly known as Tier 2) Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Skilled Worker (formerly known as Tier 2) Visa Applications
• Skilled Worker (formerly known as Tier 2) Intra Company Transfers
• Standard UK Visa for Business Visits.

Duncan Lewis business immigration experts are also able to advise on visa appeals for programmers and software development professionals wishing to take up appointments in the UK.

For further information on UK visa applications for Programmers and Software Development Professionals, call Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors in confidence on 0333 772 0409 or e-mail us at privateimmigration@duncanlewis.com / businessimmigration@duncanlewis.com