Applying for Work in the UK
Are you a non-EU citizen who is looking to emigrate to the UK? Have you been offered a job in the UK, but are unsure what’s required for your visa application? Don’t worry — we have everything you need to know about applying for work in the UK, so that your move will be smooth sailing from start to finish.
Applying for a UK work visa requires a number of steps and documents. You may be required to provide proof of your qualifications, submit copies of previous work experience or even show that you can support yourself financially. Once you’ve been offered a job in the UK, it is important to know what you need to do to make your visa application complete. The requirements of each visa will differ — so check out the information below to determine which work visa category your new job will fall under!
UK General Visa Requirements
The UK currently offers one type of general visa for potential immigrants: the Tier 1 (General), which is for workers with “exceptional talent” or those who fill highly skilled jobs. The Tier 1 visa is available to people with a UK higher education degree, who can provide proof of their skills and experience through the “points system”. Even though you may be highly skilled, it is important to remember that the visa itself is not guaranteed. You will still need to apply in person at your local UK Embassy or High Commission — and if you are successful, you will only be given permission to stay for a limited time, within six years after your initial application.
UK Work Visas for Skilled Workers (Tier 2)
The Tier 2 visa allows those who meet the following requirements to work in the UK:
Have a job contract or “offer of employment” with a licensed sponsor within the UK; You have sufficient funds to support yourself and dependents for the duration of your stay; Your qualifications are at National Qualifications Framework level 6 or higher, as recognized by UK NARIC; You have at least six months’ experience in your field.
Individuals with jobs that are not listed on the Shortage Occupation List should apply for a UK work visa through the Tier 2 General category. In order to ensure that you have a legitimate offer of employment and adequate funding, you will need to obtain an Employer Reference Number (ERN). The ERN is similar to a bank account number, and will be used by your employer to pay for your salary, as well as any benefits or expenses related to your stay.
If you do not meet the requirements for Tier 2 sponsorship from your employer, there are still options available to you. You can apply for a Tier 2 visa through an alternative sponsor, or you may be eligible to take the UK Life in the UK Test. This test is designed to assess your ability to speak and understand English, in order to find out if you will have no trouble adjusting to life in the UK.
UK Work Visas for Students (Tier 4)
If you’re a non-EU citizen who is looking to study in the UK, you will need a Tier 4 student visa. This visa category allows foreign students of all nationalities between ages 16 and 64 to come study at approved educational institutions within the UK for a period of at least six months.
Tier 4 visas come in two forms: the Tier 4 General, which is for students studying at a college or university (at any time of day) and the Tier 4 Sponsored student visa, which is for those required to study at a school or language center (prior to 18:00) and whose fees are being paid by a sponsor. Students who hold an offer of sponsorship from their institution should apply for the Sponsored student visa. However, if you do not meet this requirement and would prefer to be self-sponsored, you can apply for the General visa.
Do you meet all the requirements for a Tier 4 visa? For example, do you have a degree? If so, you will be eligible for the Tier 4 General visa. However, if you do not have a degree or degree equivalent, there are other options available to you. You can apply through an institution that has been designated by UKVI as a center of excellence in your field of study (e.g., those at Oxford Brookes University).
UK Work Visas for Intra-Company Transferees (Tier 5)
The Intra-company Transfer can allow international staff to join a UK employer and work there temporarily. Employees within the same company who are sent on an intra-company transfer can stay for up to five years, but you must have worked for the same employer for at least 12 months before being eligible.
The Tier 5 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa is applicable to those who transfer from a related company in another country or to those whose UK company has recruited them from abroad. You will be required to show proof of your previous employment in order to apply for this visa. If you are eligible, you will be granted a visa for up to five years.
UK Work Visas for Ministries of Religion (Tier 5)
If you hold a ministry position in a church, mosque or temple and have been offered employment in the UK, your employer may obtain sponsorship by the Governing Body of the Church, provided that they are not currently prohibited from sponsoring any workers with Tier 1 visas. If this is the case and you hold a Certificate of Appointment letter issued by your congregation leader, as well as proof that your salary will be provided through your organization’s bank account and tax exemption letter, you should apply for a Tier 5 visa under the Ministers of Religion subcategory.
UK Work Visas for Students and Post-Study (Tier 6)
The Tier 6 visa allows international students to study, research or train in the UK after graduation from a British college or university. The visa can only be granted to graduates who are continuing their studies within the UK for at least 12 months after graduation. If you have been accepted into a formal Post-Study program, your Tier 4 visa will be automatically extended for up to 2 years. Additionally, if you have been granted a maintenance loan or scholarship, you may not be required to apply for another visa — however if any of these requirements do not apply to you and you want to stay in the UK, it is important to renew your student visa before it expires.
Conclusion
There are quite a few options for UK work visas, but the most common ones include the Tier 2 General visa and the Tier 5 visa. The Tier 2 visa is generally available to employees of companies that are registered and regulated by UKVI; however, if your employers are unable to sponsor you under this visa category, you may wish to try your luck with an alternative institution or apply for the UK Life in the UK Test. Likewise, students can apply for either a Tier 2 or 5 student visa depending on their situation.
As mentioned previously, it is important to remember that different visas have different requirements.