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Looking to find a job in the UK? You may need a work visa…
Unfortunately, finding a new role in the UK as a foreign national isn’t always a simple process. Especially since the UK made the decision to leave the EU. However, it may still be possible to secure a great job, as long as you meet the criteria for a UK work visa.
We’ve already covered the eligibility criteria to work in the UK, so now let’s look at the different visa options that are currently available, and how you can apply for a UK work visa.
What is a UK work visa?
A UK work visa, sometimes referred to as a work permit, is a document that grants a foreign national permission to work legally in the UK. To be eligible for a UK work visa, the applicant must meet criteria that’s set out in the UK’s points based immigration system.
What types of UK work visas are there?
Like many other countries, the UK has different work visas for different jobs and professional circumstances. The UK’s work visas are split into four categories:
Short term work visas
Short term work visas, also known as UK temporary workers visas, form part of Tier 5 Visas. Visas that come under the Short term work visas are:
- Charity Worker visa: For people who want to do unpaid voluntary work for a UK charity
- Creative Worker visa: Someone who has been offered work in the UK as a creative worker can apply for this visa
- Government Authorised Exchange Visa: For people who want to come to the UK for work experience, training, an Overseas Government Language Program, research or a fellowship with a government approved exchange scheme
- International Agreement visa: For people who are contracted to work for a foreign government or as a private servant in a diplomatic household
- Religious Worker visa: For people who want to come to the UK on a short term basis for religious work, like preaching or working in a religious order
- Seasonal Worker visa: For people who want to travel to the UK to perform farm work for up to six months
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa: This visa is for young people aged 18-30, who have certain types of British nationality or who are from specific countries
- Graduate visa: Enables people to stay in the Uk for up to two years after completing a course in the UK. You must be in the UK when you apply for this visa
Long term work visas
The main categories that fall within long term work visas (Tier 2 Visas) are:
- Skilled Worker visa: This allows a person to come or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with a Home Office approved employer. The Skilled Worker visa replaced the Tier 2 General Worker visa
- Intra-company visa: For people whose overseas employer has offered them a job in a UK branch of the company
- Health and Care Worker visa: For medical professionals to come or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or adult social care
- Minister of religion visa (T2): For people who have been offered a job (by an approved employer) within a faith community, like a minister or missionary
- International Sportsperson visa: Elite sportsmen or coaches whose governing body has recognised them as being at the top of the profession internationally can apply for this visa
Investor, business development and talent visas
These types of visas cover foreign investors, business developers and talented persons. The main categories of visas are:
- Innovator visa: For people who want to set up and run an innovative company in the UK (the company must be different to anything that’s already on the market)
- Start-up visa: For people who want to set and run an innovative company in the UK (company must be different to anything that’s already on the market). You must be endorsed by an authorised body
- Global Talent visa: For anyone who is a leader or a potential leader in academia or research, arts and culture, and digital technology. You must be at least 18 to apply
- Investor visa (Tier 1): For investors who want to invest at least £2,000,000 or more in the UK
Other visas
Other UK work visas that are available include:
- UK Ancestry visa: For people who want to work in the UK, who are a commonwealth citizen, a British overseas citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a citizen of Zimbabwe, or one or more of their grandparents were born in the UK
- Frontier Work permit: For people who want to work in the UK but live in another country
- Exempt vignette: For people who do not usually have to apply for a visa because they’re exempt from immigration control (e.g. a diplomat)
- British National Overseas (visa): If you’re from Hong Kong and a British citizen, this visa allows you to live and work in the UK. This type of visa is also known as BNO
- Overseas Domestic Worker visa: For domestic workers in a private household who want to visit the UK with their employer
- Representative of an Overseas Business visa: For sole representatives of an overseas company who wish to set up a subsidiary in the UK. Employees of overseas media who are posted to the UK on long-term assignments can also apply for this visa
- Turkish Businessperson visa: With this visa, Turkish nationals who have permission to stay in the UK can continue to run their business in the UK, start a new one, or help to run an established business
- Turkish Worker visa: For Turkish nationals who already have permission to stay in the UK, who wish to extend their visa as a Turkish Worker
- Service providers from Switzerland visa: For people who work for a company based in Switzerland but whose employer wants them to work on a contract in the UK
UK work visa requirements
Each visa has its own eligibility criteria, so it’s vital that you check this before applying. The gov.uk website has an extensive explanation of UK work visa eligibility. However, many of the UK work visas require you to:
- Work for a UK employer that’s on the Home Office approved list
- Have a certificate of sponsorship from your approved UK employer that details the role you’ve been offered in the UK
- Be doing a job that’s on the eligible list of occupations
- Be paid a minimum salary (this depends on the type of job you’ll be doing)
Tips for applying for a UK work visa
Applying for a UK work visa can be complicated, so here are some tips to help your application go smoothly:
- Documentation: Ensure you have all the correct and up-to-date information to support your application. This includes having a valid passport and a certificate of sponsorship from your UK employer.
- Detail: Make sure you complete the UK work visa application fully. Information that’s missing will hold up the processing of the application.
- Cost: Documents in your native language may have to be translated into English. Bear this in mind, as it may be an extra cost.
- Time: The application process takes at least three months, and usually much more. So make sure you keep this in mind when agreeing on a possible start date with your employer.
Your rights to working in the UK
*Please note, the information outlined above is correct as of April 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.
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Emma Saldanha
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