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A UK work visa is a permit from the UK government to work in the UK. It authorises skilled, qualified, and experienced individuals worldwide to work in the UK.
However, the UK work visa is not a general work permit that can be used every time you enter the UK for your work. The UK Government has bifurcated the whole work visa system to make the process easier, simplified, and transparent.
We have written this blog to discuss UK work visa types, requirements, and how to apply for one!
Types of UK Work Visa
The large UK immigration system includes the UK work visa, mainly targeted for the outside people who want to come to the UK for work. There is a broad breakdown in the UK work visa types as per the distinct objective of overseas nationals to stay in the UK for occupational purposes.
According to the UK points-based system (UK-PBS), there are many types of immigration routes, including short-term and long-term for non-UK citizens to apply for visas to enter and stay in the UK for their work.
However, the types of work visas are diverse and based on your work condition for the specific type of work visa you should apply for. Therefore, let’s understand the different types of UK work visas as per different work conditions.
1. When you have a job offer in the UK
- Skilled worker visa
The skilled worker visa in the UK permits foreign citizens to work in the UK for a legally sponsor-licenced employer in a qualified job role.
Whether you are sponsoring a work visa or applying for a sponsored work visa, you need to be or find the qualified worker that meet the eligibility criteria of a skilled worker visa and other regulations for the same.
- Health and Care worker visa
A health and care worker visa in the UK is for worldwide professionals who come to work in the UK’s health and social care sector.
This type of worker visa provides you quick approval to enter the UK with low visa fees, exemption in healthcare charges, and a speedy visa application process managed by a specialised UKVI (UK Visa Immigration) processing team. However, you need to be eligible in the qualification criteria of working in the Healthcare sector of the UK.
2. When you don’t have a job offer in the UK
- British National Overseas (BNO) Visa
The BNO visa entitles Hong Kong residents with British National (Overseas) status to live, work, and study in the UK. The BNO visa not only provides a pathway to UK permanent resident status and British citizenship but also offers access to important services and benefits in the UK. - Graduate Visa
The UK Graduate visa provides permission to international students to stay in the UK for up to two years after completing their studies or three years if they have a doctorate.
To apply for a Graduate visa, you need to understand the eligibility criteria and secure your legal status before your student visa expires to avoid overstaying. - Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
Young people from specific countries can live in the UK for up to two years, or three years based on their nationality, under the UK's Youth Mobility visa. The Youth Mobility Scheme permits youngsters to stay in the UK with more flexibility without asking for a sponsorship, job offer, specialised skills or salary criteria. - Global Talent Visa
The UK's Global Talent visa is given to the talented people around the world for academia, research, arts, culture, or digital technology. It offers flexibility without needing a job offer or employer sponsorship and provides for various work opportunities.
Successful applicants can also settle in the UK more quickly, with the potential for citizenship after 3-5 years. However, you need to be eligible for your specific field by having a professional recognition or award. - UK Ancestry Visa
Commonwealth citizens aged above 17 with a UK-born grandparent can apply for a UK Ancestry visa to live and work in the UK for 5 years.
UK Ancestry Visa has no job restrictions, allowing work in any field or skill level, and permits self-employment. It also allows for volunteering, studying, bringing family members, pursuing education, and later being considered for British citizenship. - High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa
The HPI visa permits top global university graduates to pursue their career goals in the UK without needing a job offer or sponsorship. This visa provides UK businesses access to skilled talent worldwide.
3. When you will be working in the UK for your overseas employer
- Global Business Mobility (GBM) Visa
The GBM visa offers five UK work visa routes for employees of international or overseas companies operating in the UK. You may find GBM visa eligibility rules complex, but with proper assistance, you can get your required skilled employees for your global business in the UK.
Here, we have listed the five distinct UK work visa routes as per the GBM visa programme of the UK.
1. Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
Employees moving to a UK branch of an international company must apply for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa, replacing the UK Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa for temporary assignments. This option is only available for those foreign workers who are relocating to a UK company linked to their overseas employer.
2. UK Expansion Worker Visa
The UK Expansion Worker visa, under the GBM visa programme, provides permission to international companies to send key employees to their open branches in the UK. Both employer and employee can get benefit from this but there are complex eligibility and application rules including the need for a sponsor licence that must be followed.
3. Graduate Trainee Visa
Successful applicants for the graduate training programme in the UK can use the Graduate Trainee visa. However, new rules prohibit intra-company trainees from taking extra work while allowing them to volunteer or study. They can work in various roles for their sponsor if they comply with the regulations.
4. Secondment Worker Visa
Under the GBM programme, the UK Secondment Worker visa gives foreign nationals a permission to work in the UK under high value contracts or investments by their overseas employers. Companies looking to transfer skills and knowledge between international offices can apply for this visa.
5. Service Supplier Visa
As one of the five GBM immigration routes, the Service Supplier visas are for self-employed and overseas service providers to allow individuals to enter the UK temporarily under international trade agreements.
The previous rules for independent professionals and contractual service providers were replaced by this route. Still, a service supplier visa must have a sponsor licence from a UK business and relating documents and meet eligibility requirements such as skills and financial standards.
- Overseas Domestic Worker Visa
Foreign citizens can work in the UK for up to six months under the Overseas Domestic Worker visa. They perform domestic tasks as cleaners, drivers, chefs, nannies, and caregivers for the employer's family. - Representative of an Overseas Business Visa
To work long-term in UK media, you must get a Representative of an Overseas Business visa (or Representative of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency, or Broadcasting Organisation visa), stay for three years initially, extend for two more.
In this visa, you cannot work for self or other companies, access public funds, or state benefits and it is valid for specific media roles. - Service Providers from Switzerland
Swiss citizens or Swiss company employees that are needing to work in the UK under an existing contract can apply for the Swiss Service Provider Visa. The post-Brexit agreement ensures compliance with UK immigration laws and enable their legal entry for work purposes.
4. When you are looking to apply for temporary or seasonal work in the UK
- Seasonal Worker Visa
The UK Seasonal Worker Visa is a temporary visa for foreign workers in specific UK industries, replacing the T5 visa. You can read the requirement details for the visa in Appendix Temporary Work - Seasonal Worker.
There are visas for horticulture and poultry sectors, with 47,000 available annually for 2024. Remember, the employers must be registered scheme operators with a sponsor licence, and the visa does not lead to permanent residency. Yet, workers can reapply for future seasons. - Government Authorised Exchange Visa
A Temporary Work-Government Authorised Exchange visa may be applied for if you:
wish to visit the UK for a brief period for training, research, work experience, an overseas government language programme, or a fellowship through an authorised government exchange programme and have a sponsor who satisfies the additional eligibility requirements. - Creative Worker Visa
The UK introduced the Creative Worker visa for individuals in the creative industry to work temporarily in the country. It aims to attract foreign talent in various creative fields with their support staff and dependants. - Religious Worker Visa
A temporary Religious Worker visa in the UK is for foreign individuals helping religious Organisations in non-pastoral roles or as part of a religious order, replacing the T5 visa. Employers must be approved sponsors for this sponsored immigration path, while those leading congregations should apply for the T2 Minister of Religion route. - Charity Worker Visa
Volunteers aged 18 and above seeking temporary unpaid charity work in the UK must secure a charity worker visa sponsored by a charity approved by the Home Office. - International Agreement visa
Temporary work permit, International Agreement visa, UK is for foreign nationals providing services under international law or treaties, including private servants, diplomatic households, and roles with foreign governments.
5. When You are working in your own UK business
- Self-Sponsorship
Self-sponsorship in the UK allows non-UK citizens to obtain a work visa by establishing their own business. This self-sponsorship visa permits foreigners to work for their own company without requiring a traditional employer to sponsor them, by obtaining a sponsor licence from the UK Home Office. - Innovator Founder Route
The UK Innovator Founder visa is for foreign entrepreneurs starting businesses in the UK. It's backed by the UK government to attract international talent with unique, scalable ideas endorsed by UK regulators. The visa prioritises innovation and economic contribution.
6. When you get a sponsor visa from a UK employer
- UK Visa Sponsorship
The UK offers visas through sponsorship for foreign workers from the licenced UK companies. These visas allow non-UK citizens to work for approved companies that have a valid sponsor licence. Its main purpose is to help UK businesses fill skilled roles with workers from outside the UK.
7. Other UK work visas and permits
- Scale-Up worker visa
UK Scale Up sponsors can hire migrant workers with the required skills to apply for a Scale Up visa, based on a points system. The visa allows them to work for any employer after six months, but they must stay in their sponsored position for the first half of the visa period. - International sportsperson visa
The UK International Sportsperson visa is a unique opportunity for elite athletes and coaches to advance their careers in the UK. It combines aspects of the Tier 5 Creative and Sporting Visa with the Tier 2 Sportsperson Visa, providing an easy immigration route. - Minister of Religion visa
The UK Tier 2 Minister of Religion Visa allows individuals offered pastoral positions in religious Organisations to work in faith communities. It requires employment by a licenced sponsor, typically valid for over three years, and permits for various religious duties. The visa allows volunteers and second jobs if the studying is not conflicting with the main job. Note that, this visa is different from the Temporary Work – Religious Worker Visa. - Frontier Worker Permit
EU workers in the UK before December 31, 2020, can stay with a frontier worker permit if they don't qualify for settled status or an ICT visa. This permit allows them to work in the UK without facing immigration checks but does not grant entry or permanent residency and must apply reapply for permit to continue working. - Exempt Vignette
An Exempt Vignette in UK immigration law is a special recognition for individuals like diplomats and government officials. This allows them to bypass standard immigration controls for entry into the country. It grants unique status exemptions without job restrictions or time limits, unlike regular visas.
UK Work Visa Requirements
The requirements and eligibility criteria for the UK work visa depend on the type of work visa you’re applying for. Still, there are some general considerations you need to complete for any type of work visa in the UK, which we are discussing below:
1. Points-based system
The Points-Based System in the UK manages immigration by evaluating individuals' qualifications and skills, giving points for attributes like education and language proficiency.
The total points of all these attributes specify visa eligibility by regulating immigration flow and priortising those whose abilities support the UK’s economy and society.
2. Sponsorship
Sponsorship in UK immigration permits UK organisations to employ or admit foreign nationals from overseas. The sponsor company must oversee and ensure the migrant's compliance with visa regulations while in the UK.
3. English Proficiency
Most UK work visa applicants must validate their English proficiency through satisfactory proof of having an educational degree taught in English.
You can also pass a designated English test at B1, B2, C1, or C2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), approved by UKVI. However, language requirements may vary by visa type and are mandatory for most applicants.
4. Support funds
Visa applicants must prove that they have enough money to support themselves and dependants if any without getting access to public funds. The amount of money will differ from visa to visa, while in work visa types, there are salary thresholds for the applicants.
5. Criminal Record Certificate
A criminal record certificate may be needed from any country where the applicant has lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. This is particularly important for jobs that involve working with vulnerable groups, like adults and children.
6. Good Character Certificate
The Home Office evaluates applicants based on their character, conduct, and associations, considering criminal convictions, non-conducive actions, hate speech, extremist behaviour, and inappropriate actions.
Immigration histories like overstaying visas, illegal entry, or deception are also evaluated. National security threats are determined through database checks and international cooperation.
7. Mandatory Documents
Depending on your visa type and circumstances, you will need to provide various documents for your application. These may include a valid passport, Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), proof of English proficiency, bank statements, infectious disease test results, a criminal record certificate (for some jobs), and salary details from your sponsor. These are the common documents that are essential for a successful visa application.
Step-by-Step Process to apply for a UK Work Visa?
After considering the above factors, now you just need to be clear with the UK work visa application procedure step by step. The process involves decisions from selecting the correct visa type to sponsorship, documentation, online application, visa fees, healthcare charges, and a biometric appointment to the final visa decision.
Let’s understand the procedure step-by-step:
UK Work Visa Application Process
1. Select the correct visa type
First, select the correct visa category as per your job type, qualifications, and the offer.
2. Get Sponsorship from Employer
As most work visas require sponsorship from an employer, consider taking the certificate of sponsorship from your employer if your work is in the defined visa category.
3. Gather Your Documents
Gather all the required documents that are mentioned in the regulations of the UK work visa type you have chosen.
4. Submit Your Application Online
Fill up the required details in the work visa application and submit your application online.
5. Pay the Visa Fees and Healthcare Charges
After applying, pay the appropriate visa fees and healthcare charges required.
6. Book & Attend a Biometric Appointment
After paying fees, book your biometric check appointment at the visa application centre and attend it to provide your fingerprint and a photograph.
7. Submit Your Documents
As per your location, you may be required to submit the mandatory documents at the visa application centre, or you can submit them online.
8. Attend the Interview (if needed)
You may ask to attend the interview for the confirmation by visa application centre. Attend it and clear the interview round.
9. Get Your Visa Decision
Get your visa decision in the time mentioned. The time duration for the visa decision may vary based on the work visa type you applied for, so check out the minimum time of the visa decision for your applied one.
Why Choose Westend Consultants for the UK Work Visas?
At Westend Consultants, our team of immigration lawyers help you in getting the UK work visas. Whether you’re an employer looking to hire the global talent and finding issues in getting the sponsor licence from the Home Office or the one looking to moving in the UK with approved work visa, we cover everything that relates to your work visa procedure with our years of expertise in providing assistance in the UK work visas, complying with the UK Visa and Immigration laws.
Contact us today to find comprehensive support from one of the leading immigration lawyers in the UK, Westend Consultants!
Final Thought
The UK work visas have hard process to follow if you are new to this whole scenario. After considering the types of work visas in the UK, qualification requirements and the step-by-step process for applying, now you can apply for the UK work visa that aligns with your work.
If you’re still need guidance or support for the UK work visas, then connect with us. Our team of expert immigration lawyers will assist your queries with compliant solutions!