UK Work Visa Guide

UK Work Visa Guide

Obtaining the proper type of work visa is a critical component of being able to work in the UK. Depending on your career and skills, you may be eligible for a work visa in the United Kingdom.

In this Article, we summarise the main UK work visas: There are numerous work visa options available, with the majority of them focusing on skilled employees, entrepreneurs, investors, and specific programmes aimed to attract specific worker profiles. Importantly, no general work visa or permit is available for casual or low-skilled jobs.

Key Points at A Glance:

1. Do you need a visa to work in the United Kingdom?
2. The 5 tiers
3. Types of UK Work Visas
4. Tips for applying for a UK work visa
5. UK Work Visa FAQS

Do You Need a Visa To Work In The United Kingdom?

The UK Skilled Worker Visa route is aimed at overseas skilled workers who have been offered a position in a UK company that holds a sponsorship licence. Applicants must score at least 70 points on the points-based system to be eligible.

There are many immigration pathways, both short and long-term, under the UK's points-based system via which an overseas citizen can apply for leave to enter or remain in the UK for the purpose of work. With the exception of Irish citizens, all EEA and non-EEA persons who are not settled workers or do not otherwise have authorisation to work in the UK will require a visa following the end of free movement between the UK and the EU.

5 Tiers of Work Visas

The main immigration route into the United Kingdom is via the Points Based System (PBS). First, non-EEA migrants apply to one of five levels based on their desire to work, study, invest, or train in the country. They must pass a points-based assessment that covers the conditions, entitlements, and entry requirements for each tier. To gain entry clearance or remain in the United Kingdom, applicants must obtain a sufficient number of points based on age, qualifications, language, earnings, and funds.

All Five Tiers Encompass Certain Visas:

1. Tier, one visas are intended for highly qualified employees, entrepreneurs, investors, and graduate students living outside of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). These individuals are not needed to have a job offer in order to apply.
2. Tier two: Skilled workers, professional athletes, and clergy members from outside the EEA who have a job offer and can cover gaps in the country's labour force can apply for a visa under tier two.
3. Tier three visas: These visas are intended for low-skilled workers who do temporary labour. However, the government opted not to admit immigrants from outside the EU for tier three positions, and these visas have since been removed.
4. Tier four: Students over the age of 16 from outside the EEA should apply for a tier four visa if they wish to study in the country at a school, college, or university.
5. Tier five: There are six sub-tiers of temporary workers in this category, including artistic and sporting professions, charity and religious workers, and young people on working holidays in the UK.

UK Work Visa Types

The UK Employment Visas are divided into four categories, as follows:

Short-Term Work Visas for the UK

The Tier 5 Visas, which are part of the UK Point Based System, cover all UK short-term work visas. The following are the main categories of these visas, often known as UK Temporary Workers Visas:

1. Visa for UK Charity Workers (Tier 5). This visa is available to anyone who desire to conduct unpaid volunteer work for a charity in the UK. A sponsorship certificate from a licenced employer is necessary.
2. Creative and Sporting Visa for the United Kingdom (Tier 5). This visa is available to people who have been offered work in the UK as a sportsperson or creative professional. The key requirement is to have a sponsorship certificate from a licenced employer in the UK.
3. Exchange visa authorised by the UK government (Tier 5). If you want to come to the UK for work experience or training, an Overseas Government Language Program, research, or a fellowship under an official government sanctioned exchange scheme, you can apply for this visa.
4. The UK International Agreement visa (Tier 5). This visa is intended for those who have been hired to work for a foreign government or as a private worker in a diplomatic residence in the United Kingdom.
5. Visa for UK Religious Workers (Tier 5). You can apply for this visa if you want to relocate to the UK for a short period of time to conduct religious activities, such as preaching or working in a religious organisation.
6. Seasonal Worker Visa (UK) (Tier 5). If you want to travel to the UK and do farm work for up to 6 months, you can apply for a Seasonal Work Visa.
7. Visa for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme (Tier 5). A visa for those between the ages of 18 and 30 who have specific categories of British nationality or are from certain countries.

Long-Term Work Visas for The UK

The Tier 2 Visas, which are part of the UK Point Based System, cover all long-term work visas in the UK. The following are the main categories of UK long-term work visas:

1. General UK work visa. This visa is intended for individuals from outside the EEA and Switzerland who have received an employment offer in the UK. To be eligible to apply, the candidate must be employed by a licenced sponsor.
2. UK Intra-company Transfer visa: This UK work visa is available to those whose overseas employer has offered a position in a UK division of the firm.
3. Minister of Religion visa in the United Kingdom. A visa for non-EEA and Swiss nationals who have been given an employment in a religion community in the UK.

Investor, Business Development and Talent Visas

The United Kingdom has established a number of visa kinds for foreign investors, company developers, and talented individuals. There are numerous sorts of UK visas available for these categories, which are described below:

1. The UK Innovator visa. This visa is for foreigners who intend to start or run a business in the United Kingdom.
2. The UK Start-up visa. This is a visa for people who desire to start a business in the UK. Endorsement by a recognised body is required.
3. The UK Global Talent Visa This visa is available to individuals who operate in a qualifying field and have been recognised as a recognised leader or an emerging leader.
4. Visa for UK Graduate Entrepreneurs (Tier 1). Graduates who have been officially recognised as having a genuine and legitimate company plan are eligible to apply for this UK work visa.
5. Visa for UK Investor (Tier 1). This is a visa for investors who wish to invest £2,

Other Types of UK Work Visas

Other United Kingdom work visas are as follows:

1. UK Ancestry Visa If you are a Commonwealth citizen applying from outside the UK, you can apply for this visa, which allows you to work in the UK. You must demonstrate that at least one of your grandparents was born in the United Kingdom.
2. Domestic Workers in a Private Household visa in the United Kingdom. This visa is available to domestic workers in private households who wish to visit the UK with their employer.
3. Frontier Work Permit: For individuals who wish to work in the UK but reside in another country.
4. Exempt vignette: For those who are exempt from immigration control and do not normally need to apply for a visa (e.g. a diplomat)
5. British National Overseas (visa): If you are a British citizen from Hong Kong, this visa allows you to live and work in the UK. This visa is also known as a BNO visa.
6. Overseas Business UK visa representative If you are the sole representative of an overseas firm proposing to establish a UK branch or a completely owned subsidiary for an overseas parent company, you can apply for this visa. Employees of foreign media on long-term assignment in the UK are also eligible.
7. UK visa for Turkish businesspeople. This visa is for Turkish nationals who want to relocate to the UK to start a new business or help run an existing one.
8. UK visa for Turkish workers. This visa is intended for Turkish nationals who have worked in the UK for at least a year as the spouse of a British citizen or a settled person.
9. Service providers from Switzerland visa: For those who work for a Swiss company but whose employer wants them to work on a contract in the United Kingdom.

Tips For Applying for A UK Work Visa

Applying for a UK work visa can be hard, so here are some pointers to help you get started:

1. Ensure that you have all of the necessary and up-to-date information to back up your application. This includes having a valid passport and a sponsorship document from your UK company.
2. Make sure you fill out the UK work visa application completely. Missing information will cause the application to be delayed.
3. The cost of translating documents in your native language into English. Keep this in mind, since it may incur an additional fee.
4. The application procedure often takes at least three months, if not much more. So keep this in mind when deciding on a prospective start date with your employer.

UK Visa FAQS

UK Work Visa Requirements

Each visa has its own eligibility criteria, which you must review before applying. The gov.uk website provides a thorough overview of UK work visa eligibility. Many UK work visas, however, require you to:

1. Work for a UK company on the Home Office's approved list.
2. Have a sponsorship certificate from your eligible UK company that describes the role you've been given in the UK.
3. Be employed in an occupation on the eligible list
4. Be paid a minimal wage (depending on the type of work you'll be doing)

What Are the Required Documents?

You will need to submit certain information and documentation to the Home Office as part of the application process.

You must give the following information:

1. A valid passport or other document proving your identity and nationality
2. Your sponsorship certificate reference number
3. Proof of your English language proficiency (unless exempt)
4. Your job title, job code, and salary
5. The employer's name and the sponsorship licence number

How To Apply for The UK Skilled Worker Visa

The steps involved in applying for the Skilled Worker route are:

1. Receive an eligible work offer in the UK from a UKVI-approved firm.
2. Confirm that you meet the visa's eligibility requirements.
3. Gather your supporting documentation (and translations if necessary)
4. Fill out an online application for a Skilled Worker Visa.
5. You can apply for the visa both inside and outside the UK if you are changing or extending a current work visa.
6. Submit your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) to prove your identification or use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app to scan your identity document.
7. Apply for the visa up to three months before the start date of your job.
8. If you apply from outside the UK, you should receive a decision within three weeks.
9. If you apply from within the United Kingdom, you may have to wait up to 8 weeks for a decision.

If the documents and information you give are insufficient, the application procedure may take longer. You may also be required to verify documents or attend an interview.

What Are the Financial Requirements for A Skilled Worker Visa?

1. You must demonstrate to the Home Office that you can financially sustain yourself while in the UK.
2. You must demonstrate that you have at least £1,270 available and that you have held the money for at least 28 days, ending no more than 31 days before the application date.
3. If you are sponsored by an A-rated sponsor who has pledged to cover the maintenance cost of at least £1,270 until the conclusion of the first month of employment, you will be excluded from the financial requirement.
4. The company must certify that they will financially support you on your sponsorship certificate.

Is It Hard to Get A UK Work Visa?

Some UK work visas are more difficult to obtain than others, and each path has different restrictions. In many circumstances, the applicant will need to have a job offer from a licenced sponsor that meets the minimal skill and income standards.

Key Takeaways for A UK Work Visa

Obtaining a visa might be the first step toward a completely new life or a significant advancement in your career. It Important that you always check GOV.UK for latest guidance and eligibility requirements. If you’re ready, here is the link you will need to apply for your UK work visa.

*Please note, the information outlined above is correct as of September 2022, but is subject to change. It is intended for general guidance purposes only. 

For more detailed information about your rights to working in the UK, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.