UK work visas: requirements and how to get them

It can be hard to know which UK work visa is suitable for your situation. This guide outlines the most common visas for expats and how to apply for them.

Ellie

7 minute read

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Updated on 12 Aug 2024

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Moving

As an international, if you want to work in the UK, you’ll need to apply for a UK work visa. But figuring out which visa is right for you and what the requirements are can be a bit overwhelming.

To help you navigate this process, we’ve created this guide outlining the various UK work visas, their requirements, and the application process.

Almost all non-UK citizens need a work visa to move to and work in the UK. However, you may be exempt from a work visa if:

• You’re an Irish citizen.
• You’re an EU national with a pre-settled or settled status.
• You’ve been a Commonwealth citizen since 1982 and one of your parents has been a UK citizen since their birth.
• You’re a female Commonwealth citizen marrying someone who has the right of abode in the UK. To check the full criteria, please refer to the UK Government website.

To get a work visa in the UK, you need to meet certain requirements, which vary per visa type. Here are the general requirements for a UK work visa:

• Valid passport or ID
• Certificate proving English proficiency
• Job offer
• Certificate of sponsorship from employer
• Proof of educational qualifications
• Financial proof showing sufficient funds

Some documents, such as proof of your relationship with a dependent/partner, a tuberculosis certificate, a criminal record certificate or an ATAS certificate are only required for specific citizens or jobs.

How much money is required for a work visa in the UK?

To show financial proof for a UK work visa, you need to show you’ve had at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 days in a row before applying for the visa. For dependents, you’ll need to show £285 for a partner and £315 for one child.

You may be exempt from showing financial proof if your employer can show that they will support and sponsor you during that time.

Now that you know the basic requirements, find out the various types of work visas and how to apply.

The UK's Home Office offers more than 20 types of work visas (also called work permits). These work visas can be divided into 2 broad categories: sponsored work visas that require a job offer from an approved UK-based employer and unsponsored visas that do not require a job offer.

For internationals, the most popular UK work visas are the following:

Sponsored UK work visa

• Skilled worker visa
• Health and care worker visa
• Scale-up worker visa

Unsponsored UK work visa

• High-performance individual visa (HPI)
• Global talent visa

The visa you’ll need to apply for depends on the type of job you are applying for and your level of skills and qualifications.

The UK skilled worker visa allows skilled international workers to work in the UK for up to 5 years, as long as they have an eligible job with a licenced sponsor. The visa can be extended if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. If you change jobs, you’ll need to re-apply as the visa is tied to an employer. You’ll also be able to bring your family and settle down permanently in the UK after 5 years.

Skilled Worker visa eligibility criteria

To apply for the UK skilled worker visa, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

• Have a job from the eligible jobs list
• Have a job offer from an approved UK employer, containing a 4-letter occupation code, job title, and annual salary
• Earn a minimum salary of £38,700 per year or the minimum salary set for your specific job. Some exceptions apply
• Have a certificate of sponsorship (CoS)
• Show proof of B1 level proficiency in English (if applicable)
• Have a valid passport
• Show proof of financial means (e.g. bank statement)

The certificate of sponsorship is a reference number provided electronically. It contains details such as your personal details, visa tier and category, employer’s name and licence number.

How much does the Skilled Worker visa cost?

A skilled worker visa costs between £719–£1,420 per person if applying from within the UK and between £827–£1,636 if applying from within the UK.

The exact cost of your visa will depend on factors such as the visa's length, application location, and whether your job is on the immigration salary list.

You’ll also need to pay the mandatory health surcharge of up to £1,035 per year, which permits you access to the National Health Service (NHS). You can calculate the exact amount on the UK government website.

This visa allows medical or care staff to work at the NHS, for an NHS provider or adult social care. The health and care worker visa lasts for up to 5 years. You can bring your family on this visa and extend your visa or apply for permanent settlement after 5 years.

Health and Care Worker visa eligibility criteria

To get the UK health and care worker visa, you need to meet these requirements:

• Be a qualified doctor, nurse, health or adult social care professional
• Have a job offer from an approved UK employer, containing a 4-letter occupation code, job title, and annual salary
• Work in an eligible health or social care job
• Have a certificate of sponsorship from your employer
• Be paid a minimum salary of £23,200 or the minimum salary for your specific role. Some exceptions apply
• Show a criminal record certificate (from each country of residence in the past 10 years)
• Show proof of B1 level proficiency in English (if applicable)
• Have a valid passport
• Show proof of financial means (e.g. bank statement)

How much does the Health and Care Worker visa cost?

The cost of the health and care worker visa is £284 for stays of up to 3 years and £551 for stays of more than 3 years. The cost is per person. You do not need to pay the health surcharge.

The UK scale-up visa is for skilled workers who want to work at a fast-growing scale-up in the UK. You can stay for up to 2 years with this visa and bring your family to the UK. After 2 years, you can extend the visa by 3 years, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. After 5 years, you can apply for permanent settlement.

UK Scale-up Worker visa eligibility criteria

To get the UK scale-up worker visa, you’ll need to meet these requirements:

• Have a job offer of at least 6 months from an approved scale-up business, stating the 4-letter occupation code, job title, and annual salary
• Ensure your job is in the list of eligible occupations
• Be paid a minimum salary of £36,300 or the minimum salary for your specific role, whichever is higher. Some exceptions apply
• Have a certificate of sponsorship from your employer
• Show proof of B1 level proficiency in English (if applicable)
• Have a valid passport
• Show proof of financial means (e.g. bank statement)

How much does the Scale-up Worker visa cost?

Your visa application costs £822 if you apply from outside the UK. You’ll also need to pay the health surcharge of up to £1,035 per year to access the NHS.

The high potential individual visa is one of the few UK visas that allow you to enter the UK without a job offer. You only need to have received a qualification from an eligible university outside the UK in the last 5 years. The HPI visa allows you to look for work, do most jobs, volunteer, or even be self-employed.

With this visa, you can live in the UK for at least 2 years. It’s 3 years if you have a PhD or doctorate qualification.

While you cannot extend this visa, you may be able to switch to another visa if you have found a suitable job.

High Potential Individual visa eligibility criteria

To qualify for the HPI visa, you must meet these requirements:

• Have a qualification equivalent to a UK bachelor, postgraduate degree, PhD or Doctorate from an eligible university
• Have a valid passport or ID
• Provide the statement from Ecctis, showing they approve your qualification
• Show proof of proficient level of English (B1)
• Provide proof of enough savings to support yourself whilst in the UK

How much does the HPI visa cost?

The cost of your visa application is £822. You’ll also need to pay £210 to have your qualification validated by Ecctis. Besides this, you’ll need to pay the health surcharge of up to £1,035 for each year the visa is granted to access the NHS.

The UK Global Talent visa is for leaders or potential leaders in academia/research, arts/culture, or digital technology.

To apply for this visa, you need to showcase that you’re a (potential) leader. To do this, you must either:

• Successfully apply for an endorsement to prove you are a leader or potential leader
• Have won an eligible award

Once granted, you can stay in the UK for up to 5 years at a time. You can extend your visa for 1–5 years at a time. After 3-5 years, you may be able to apply for permanent settlement.

How much does the Global Talent visa cost?

The Global Talent visa costs £716. You’ll pay £524 towards the endorsement fee and £192 towards the visa application if you’re applying with an endorsement. Those with an eligible award will need to pay £716 at the time of the visa application.

In addition, you’ll need to pay a health surcharge of up to £1,035 for each year the visa is granted to access the NHS.

To get a UK work visa, follow these 7 steps:

1. Get a job offer: Most work visas require you to have a job offer from an approved company unless you opt for non-sponsored visas. Your employer will provide you with a crucial document called the certificate of sponsorship.
2. Pick the correct visa: There are several UK work visas for different levels of skills and duration of stay. Apply for the appropriate visa to avoid delays or visa rejection.
3. Gather your documents: you’ll need to provide various documents as part of your visa application.
4. Apply for your visa: You can apply for a UK work visa online up to 3 months before your first work day in the UK. Your job offer or certificate of sponsorship will specify this date.
5. Pay the fees: Pay for your UK work visa application and the healthcare surcharge. The exact cost depends on the visa type.
6. Provide biometrics: Provide all documents, including your photo and fingerprints, during your visa appointment. Or prove your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. You’ll be told the correct process during your application.
7. Attend an interview: Some applications may need to do a short interview with someone from the visa application centre.

What is the processing time for a UK work visa?

Completed application forms are processed, and applicants usually receive a decision within 3 weeks. If you’re applying whilst already in the UK, it’s 8 weeks.

Hopefully, this guide has helped you determine the perfect UK visa for you. Once your visa is sorted, don’t forget to find houses for rent in London or other big cities before you arrive to make your life easier. Good luck!