Do you want to work in the UK but require a visa? Careercartz has everything you need to know about UK work visas!
According to the most recent data, foreign-born workers currently account for approximately 18% of the employed population in the United Kingdom.
Do you want to be a part of this group? Do you want to work in the United Kingdom? Do you want to make certain that you’re following all of the rules and regulations set forth by the country’s labor laws?
Everything you need to know about a UK work visa is outlined below. This includes information on the various types of visas available, the requirements for self-employed and freelance workers, and how to apply for a visa.
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If this is the case, your first step should be to apply for a work visa in the United Kingdom.
Everything you need to know about a UK work visa is outlined below. This includes information on the various types of visas available, the requirements for self-employed and freelance workers, and how to apply for a visa.
What Are the Different Types of Work Visas in the United Kingdom?
Foreign-born workers in the UK can apply for a variety of work visas. If you are unsure about the type of visa you require, the following are some of the most well-known options to consider:
Visas for Temporary Employment
Temporary Worker Visas are another name for short-term work visas. They are all classified as Tier 5 in the UK’s points-based system.
You can apply for a variety of short-term work visas, including the ones listed below:
- UK Creative and Sporting Visa: This visa is for people who have been offered a job as a sportsperson or a creative worker in the UK.
- UK Government Exchange Visa: This visa is for those who want to gain work experience or training in the UK, as well as those who want to participate in an Overseas Government Language Program, research program, or fellowship program.
- UK International Agreement Visa: This visa is intended for individuals who have been contracted to work in the UK on behalf of a foreign government or as a private servant in a diplomatic household.
- UK Religious Worker Visa: This visa is for people who want to do religious work in the UK (such as preaching or working in a church).
- UK Seasonal Worker Visa: This visa is for people who want to travel to the UK and work on farms for up to six months.
- UK Youth Scheme visa: This visa is for those who have certain types of British nationality, are from certain countries (including Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Monaco, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong), and are between the ages of 18 and 30.
Visas for Long-Term Employment
Long-term work visas are all part of the points-based system’s second tier. The main types of long-term UK work visas are as follows:
- Tier 2 General UK Work Visa: This visa is for people who live outside the EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland and have been offered a job in the UK. To be eligible to apply, applicants must be employed by a licensed sponsor.
- Tier 2 UK Intra-company Transfer Visa: This visa is for individuals who have an overseas employer and have been offered a position in the organization’s UK branch.
- Tier 2 UK Minister of Religion Visa: This visa is for non-EEA and Swiss nationals who have been offered a job within a specific faith community.
- Tier 2 UK Sportsperson Visa: This visa is for elite athletes and qualified coaches who have been recognized by a governing body in their sport and are regarded as being at the pinnacle of their profession on a global scale.
- Tier 2 Health and Care Worker Visa: This visa is for medical professionals who want to work for the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in an adult social setting in the UK.
Visas for Investors, Business Development, and Talent
Foreign investors, businesspeople, and talent can apply for a variety of work visas in the United Kingdom. Some of the most well-known options are as follows:
- UK Innovator Visa: This visa is intended for foreigners who intend to establish and/or run a business in the United Kingdom.
- UK Start-up Visa: This visa is for those who have been approved by an authorized body to start a business in the United Kingdom.
- UK Global Talent Visa: This visa is intended for individuals who work in a qualifying field and have received the endorsement of a recognized or emerging leader.
- The UK Graduate Entrepreneur Visa: This is for graduates who have been officially endorsed and have a genuine, credible business idea.
- UK Investor Visa: This visa is intended for investors who intend to invest at least £2,000,000 or more in the United Kingdom.
Other Work Permits
In addition to the common types of work visas listed above, the following UK work visas may apply to your situation:
- UK Ancestry Visa: This visa is available to Commonwealth citizens who can demonstrate that at least one grandparent was born in the United Kingdom.
- Domestic Helpers in a Private Home UK Visa: This visa is intended for those who intend to work as a domestic worker in a private household and wish to visit the United Kingdom with their employer.
- Representative of an Overseas Business UK Visa: This visa is for sole representatives of overseas companies who plan to open a branch in the United Kingdom.
- Turkish Businessperson UK Visa: This visa is for Turkish nationals who want to move to the UK and either start a new business or help run an existing one.
- Turkish Worker UK Visa: This visa is for Turkish nationals who have worked in the UK for at least a year and are the spouse of a British citizen or another settled person.
Is it possible to obtain a work visa if I am self-employed or a freelancer?
When it comes to applying for a work permit in the UK, self-employed and freelance workers are often perplexed.
Technically, if you have a tourist or visitor visa, you are not permitted to work in the United Kingdom, even as a freelancer. You do, however, have other options, including the following:
- Innovator Visa: To be eligible for this visa, you must be able to demonstrate that your company is new, innovative, and has the potential for growth.
- Start-Up Visa: To be eligible for a start-up visa, you must be endorsed by an authorized body, such as a UK institution of higher education or a business organization with a track record of assisting UK-based entrepreneurs. You must also be able to demonstrate that your company is new, innovative, and has the potential for growth.
- Global Talent Visa: This visa has a two-part application process that requires you to demonstrate that your work is of exceptional quality. In this case, “outstanding quality” includes being published, distributed, or performing in some way on a global scale.
If you want to work legally in the UK as a freelancer or self-employed individual, these three visas are considered your best options. Aside from worrying about a visa, you’ll need to take care of other things to comply with UK laws, such as registering for taxes and purchasing insurance.
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What Documents Are Required to Apply for a Work Permit in the UK?
Applicants must meet a number of qualifications and requirements in order to be eligible for a work permit in the United Kingdom. The following are a few of the most important ones to remember:
Job Opportunity
Most work visas in the UK require you to have a job offer from a UK-based company.
Of course, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as Innovator Visas, Start-Up Visas, and Graduate Student Visas. However, in general, the UK government will require proof of a job offer before accepting your visa application.
Sponsorship/Endorsement
Before your application can be accepted, some visas require sponsorship or endorsement from another person or entity in the UK.
The Start-up Visa, for example, requires you to obtain an endorsement from a university or another approved organization. Sponsorships and endorsements assist in verifying the legitimacy of your proposed business and reassuring the UK government that you are a legitimate entrepreneur.
Verification of Salary
Some UK visas require you to demonstrate that you will earn a specific salary once you arrive and begin working in the UK. This is especially true for long-term work visas such as the Intra-Company Visa, Health and Care Worker Visa, and Skilled Worker Visa.
When you fill out the online application for each visa type, you will learn exactly how much you must prove you earn.
Verification of Education
If you’re applying for a Graduate Student Visa to stay in the UK and further your education, you’ll need to show proof of completion of a course, such as a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree. You must also demonstrate that you are applying before the expiration of your student visa.
Evidence of Assets
When it comes to applying for a work visa, finances are extremely important. You may be required to prove that you have a certain amount of money in your savings account, for example, or that you have a certain amount of money available to invest when you arrive in the UK (this is the case for the Investor Visa, for example).
Identification Documentation
The UK government requires proof that you are who you claim to be. When applying for any of the above-mentioned work visas, you must provide proof of identification. There are two main approaches you can take:
Schedule an Appointment with a Visa Application Center
When you go to a visa application center, you’ll be asked to bring a number of documents that prove your eligibility. You will be given a checklist to follow as part of your application. You’ll be photographed and fingerprinted while you’re here.
Use the UK Immigration: ID Check Smartphone App to verify your identity.
You will scan an identity document and then submit a digital photo of your face if you use the UK Immigration: ID Check app. You will also be required to scan and upload certain documents in accordance with the checklist provided with your application.
Accommodation Documentation
When you arrive in the UK, you may also be required to show proof that you have a place to stay. This could be proof that you rented an apartment, bought a house, or paid for a hotel or hostel for a set period of time. Keep in mind that you do not need to have paid in full for your hotel or hostel; you simply need to demonstrate that you have a specific place to go once you arrive.
Vaccination and health-testing records
Before you can legally enter the UK, you may also be required to provide proof of vaccination or demonstrate that you have tested negative for certain illnesses. This includes proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. If you are coming from one of these countries, you may be required to provide negative tuberculosis test results as well.
Healthcare Surcharge Paid
A healthcare surcharge may also be required. If you’re applying for a long-term work visa, this is especially likely.
When you arrive in the UK, the healthcare surcharge allows you to use the National Health Service (the UK’s public health system). In other words, it assists you in ensuring that you will receive adequate health care during your stay.
After you’ve paid the healthcare surcharge (unless you’re exempt from paying it, which is the case for healthcare workers) and your visa has been approved, you’ll be able to use the NHS. Keep in mind that certain services, such as prescriptions, eye treatments, and dental treatments, will still require payment when you arrive.
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How Do I Apply for a Work Permit in the United Kingdom?
Let’s get started on the actual process of applying for a work visa in the UK. Here are the steps you must take:
- Visit the UK Home Office Visas and Immigration Services website and select the type of visa that best fits your employment objectives and situation.
- Fill out your online application
- Provide the necessary documents and proof of identity for your visa.
- Wait for a reply
When applying for a UK work visa, it is critical to act quickly. In general, apply for a work visa at least three months before you intend to arrive in the UK. This allows the government to review your request and notify you of any changes that need to be made to your application.
How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a Work Visa in the United Kingdom?
The application process for a work permit in the UK is not cheap. The amount you must pay, however, varies depending on the type of visa for which you apply. There are also specific requirements for the amount of money you must have in your savings account.
If you want to work in the UK, you can use the UK government’s work visa in UK cost calculator to determine the cost of your specific work visa. You can also use this chart to get a general idea of what costs should be factored into your budget if you’re applying for one of the most common UK work visas:
Visa Type |
Application Fee |
Healthcare Surcharge |
Required Amount in Savings |
Skilled Worker Visa |
£610 to £1,408 (maybe less if your occupation is on the UK’s job shortage list) |
£624 per year |
£1,270 |
Intracompany Transfer Visa |
£610 to £1,408 |
£624 per year |
£1,270 |
Health and Care Worker Visa |
£232 for visas of up to 3 years£464 for visas over 3 years |
N/A |
£1,270 |
Temporary Seasonal Worker Visa |
£244 |
£624 per year |
£1,270 (or the equivalent amount from a sponsor) |
Temporary Graduate Visa |
£700 |
£624 per year |
N/A |
Temporary Creative and Sporting Visa |
£244 |
£624 per year |
£1,270 |
Innovator Visa |
£1021 to £1277 |
£624 per year |
£1,270 |
Start-Up Visa |
£363 – £493 |
£624 per year |
£1,270 |
When you fill out your specific work visa application, you will learn exactly how much you must pay. These figures are merely estimates to assist you in beginning to budget and plan for the future.
Remember that you must pay at the same time you submit your application, so make sure you have the funds ready. Otherwise, the processing of your application will be slowed.
Apply for a Work Visa in the United Kingdom Today
Finding work in a different country can be a daunting task. Fortunately, you don’t have to face these difficulties alone.
Are you ready to start the application process for a UK work visa now that you know more about it? If you follow the steps in our guide, you’ll have no trouble selecting the right UK work permit, submitting the necessary documentation, and having your application approved.
If you need assistance finding a job so that you can apply for your Work Visas in UK, be sure to visit Careercartz.com today. Our job search site contains a plethora of listings from employers in the UK, making it easier than ever to find the ideal position that matches your needs and goals.
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