Your permission to work in the UK is conditional on your origin and the type of work you wish to do. You may require a UK work visa in addition to a job offer in order to work in the UK.
The United Kingdom established a points-based immigration evaluation system for non-EU/EFTA nationals. This regulates the flow of employees from countries outside the EU/EFTA as part of a managed migration procedure. Immigration is a contentious issue; recent governments have tightened restrictions, penalizing employers and landlords who fail to conduct adequate background checks. Recent modifications to UK work visas include an increase in wage criteria and language requirements, as well as the elimination of some work visa categories.
Our experts at Henleaze Law will guide you regarding working in the United Kingdom and how to obtain the work visa.
Can I work in the United Kingdom?
If you are an EU/EFTA national, you have the right to live and work in the UK without requiring a work visa. All non-EU/EFTA nationals require a work visa to enter the United Kingdom. Certain nationals of certain countries are permitted to enter the UK and stay for up to six months without a visa. However, they are not permitted to work. For more information on who requires a visa to enter the UK, see our guide to UK visas and residency permits.
Work visa requirements
If you are a non-EU/EFTA national seeking employment in the UK, you must obtain the necessary work permit. The majority of UK work visas involve sponsorship from a local company; you must find acceptable employment and sponsorship prior to applying for a UK work visa. At the moment, UK work visas are not available for casual or low-skilled labor. As a result, it is not feasible to enter the UK on a different sort of visa and work casually or temporarily.
Additionally, if you plan to stay in the UK for more than six months, you must apply for a biometric resident permit.
The following categories of people are excluded from the requirements for obtaining a work visa in the United Kingdom:
- Diplomats who were not resident in the United Kingdom at the time they were offered the position
- Overseas government ministers on official business
- Members of the Commonwealth or Overseas Territories armed forces assigned to the United Kingdom
- Officials working for head of state.
You may work if you come to the UK on a UK family visa to join relatives. For more information, see our guide to applying for a family visa in the United Kingdom.
Relocating to London or another part of the country for work
If you are a non-EU/EFTA national coming to work in the UK, you must first find suitable employment. For low-skilled labor, UK work visas are not available. You must locate work that qualifies you for a specialist or highly-qualified UK work visa. For additional information about finding work in the UK, see our guide to Finding Work in the UK.
Once you’ve secured employment, you’ll need to apply for a work visa in the United Kingdom through the UK Visas and Immigration service. This can be done online on the UK Visas and Immigration website or at your home country’s UK Visa Application Centre.
UK immigration assessment system
Your eligibility for a work visa in the United Kingdom is determined by your point total on the UK points system. In this system, points are rewarded for the following:
- Qualification
- Earnings projections for the future
- Sponsorships
- English language proficiency
- Self-contributed funds
Types of work visas
Currently, the following categories of UK work visas are available:
Tier 1 Visa (Exceptional Talent)
This visa is intended for individuals who have achieved prominence in science, the humanities, engineering, medicine, digital technology, and the arts. The UK Home Office must approve this, and only 1,000 of these visas are issued each year. It is valid for a period of up to five years and may be renewed for an additional five years.
Tier 2 Visa (General)
The general visa is intended for those who have been offered a skilled job (annual income of at least £25,000) and have been sponsored by a licensed entity associated with their work. This certificate is valid for a period of up to six years.
Tier 2 Visa (Intra-company Transfers)
This visa is intended for individuals whose employer in another country has offered them a transfer to a UK branch on the condition of sponsorship. The visa is valid for a period of six months to nine years, depending on the nature of the work offered.
Tier 2 Visa (Minister of Religion)
A visa is granted to those who have been offered employment in a faith community on the condition of sponsorship. The visa is valid for a maximum of three years and is extendable.
Tier 2 Visa (Sportsperson)
This visa is intended for elite athletes or certified coaches who have been sanctioned by their sport’s national governing organization. The visa is valid for three years and is extendable for an additional three years.
Tier 5 (Temporary Worker)
A visa has been secured for those seeking temporary work as a charity volunteer, sportsperson or creative worker, religious worker, on a government-sponsored exchange, or as part of an international arrangement. The duration of the temporary work visa is between one and two years, depending on the objective.
Tier 5 Visa (Youth Mobility Scheme)
A visa is available to those between the ages of 18 and 30 from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea, or Taiwan who have saved at least £1,890. Visas are valid for a period of up to two years.
Visa for Domestic Workers in Private Households
This visa is only available to private domestic workers who have worked for their employer for a minimum of one year. Valid for a period of up to six months.
Paid Engagement Visa
This is a non-sponsored visa that allows for short-term paid work in the United Kingdom. One-month validity.
Additionally, Turkish nationals and citizens of Commonwealth countries with a grandparent born in the UK are eligible for special work visas. Additional information is accessible on this page.
Can I work in low-skilled employment in UK?
There are presently no open UK work visas for non-EU/EFTA citizens to fill low-skilled employment in the UK, as these posts are covered by UK and EU/EFTA nationals. This may change if labor shortages occur. When the points-based system was adopted in 2008, there were plans to grant Tier 3 UK work visa for low-skilled work, but this never happened.
Working in UK as a freelancer or self-employed
There are several types of UK work visa available to anyone seeking to work as a freelancer or self-employed individual:
Tier 1 Visa (Entrepreneur)
This Visa is for individuals seeking to establish or run a business in the United Kingdom and possessing at least £50,000 in investment funds. The visa is valid for three years and has the option of being renewed for an additional three years.
Tier 1 Visa (Graduate Entrepreneur)
Graduates with business ideas that have been endorsed by the UK Department for International Trade or a qualifying UK higher education institution are eligible for this visa. The visa is valid for one year and has the option of being renewed for an additional year.
Tier 1 Visa (Investor)
Visas are available to people willing to invest at least £2 million in the United Kingdom. The visa is valid for three years and is renewable for an additional two years.
Work permits for internships and voluntary work
If you are traveling to the UK from a non-EU/EFTA country for the purpose of training or volunteering, you can apply for a Tier 5 (Temporary) visa to participate in charitable work or agreed-upon training programs. You can also enter the UK for training purposes on a six-month short-term study visa or a one-month Permitted Paid Engagement visa.
Students employed in the United Kingdom
If you are a non-EU/EFTA national studying in the UK on a Tier 4 student visa, you can work in the majority of jobs in the UK while on a student visa. Certain careers, such as those in professional sports or coaching, are not available to you.
Students under the age of 18 studying at an independent private school on a Tier 4 (Child) student visa are permitted to work up to ten hours per week during the school year and full-time during the vacations. Additionally, they may participate in job placements.
