UK Work Visas: Learn About the Types and how to Apply

The legal framework governing work visas in the UK

The UK has a well-defined legal framework for work visas. This framework ensures that only qualified individuals can enter and work in the UK. It includes specific laws, regulations, and systems designed to control and manage immigration, making sure that the UK attracts skilled workers who contribute positively to the economy.

The Immigration Act is the primary law governing who can enter and stay in the UK. It sets out the rules and requirements for different types of visas, including work visas. The Act aims to control immigration, ensuring that the UK remains secure and its immigration system is fair and effective.
The points-based system is also part of this legal framework. It is the method the UK uses to assess visa applicants. For work visas, only skilled workers are allowed to enter the UK. Applicants must meet specific criteria, such as demonstrating English proficiency, earning a minimum salary, and having a job offer from a UK employer. Points are awarded based on these criteria, and applicants must reach a certain score to qualify.

UK employers who want to hire foreign nationals must have a Sponsor Licence. This licence, authorised by the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI), allows employers to sponsor non-UK workers. To obtain a Sponsor Licence, employers must prove they are a legitimate business and meet specific requirements set by the UKVI. This system ensures that foreign workers are employed in genuine jobs and that employers comply with immigration laws.

Types of UK work visas

There are many types of work visas in the UK, so there is something for everyone. There are majorly 3 categories of work visas in the UK, they are: 

1. Temporary work visas
2. Skilled worker visa
3. Visas you can apply for without a job offer
4. Visas that allow you to work in the UK for your overseas employer
5. Start a business in the UK visas
6. Work visas that are closed to new applicants
7. Other work visas and permits

Temporary work visas 

• Seasonal Worker Visa
• Creative Worker Visa
• Charity Worker Visa
• Religious Worker Visa
• Government Authorised Exchange Visa
• International Agreement Visa

Skilled worker visa

• Health and care worker visa
• Skilled worker visa

How to apply 

• Secure a job offer from a UK employer.
• Your employer will provide you with a certificate of sponsorship.
• Complete the online application form and pay the application fee.
• Gather and submit the necessary documents listed below.
• Provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) at a visa application centre.

Visas you can apply for without a job offer

• British National (Overseas) visa
• Graduate visa
• Youth Mobility Scheme visa
• India Young Professionals Scheme visa
• Apply for the Global Talent visa
• UK Ancestry visa
• High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

Visas that allow you to work in the UK for your overseas employer

• Overseas domestic worker visa
• Senior or specialist worker visa
• UK Expansion worker visa
• Representative of an overseas business visa
• Secondment worker visa
• Graduate trainee visa
• Apply for a service provider from Switzerland visa
• Service supplier visa

Start a business in the UK visas

• Innovator visa

How to apply

• Develop a business idea and obtain an endorsement.
• Complete the application form and pay the fee.
• Submit necessary documents, including the endorsement letter and proof of investment.
• Provide your biometric information at a visa application centre.

Work visas that are closed to new applicants

• Entrepreneur visa (Tier 1)
• Investor visa (Tier 1)
• Turkish businessperson visa
• Turkish worker visa
• Start-up visa

Other work visas and permits

• Frontier worker permit
• Scale-up worker visa
• Minister of religion visa (T2)
• International sportsperson visa
• Get an exempt vignette

Eligibility criteria for work visa in the UK

To obtain a UK work visa, you must meet specific eligibility criteria. These criteria vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Here are the common requirements:

1. Educational Qualifications and Work Experience: For most UK work visas, you need to have relevant educational qualifications and work experience. This is particularly important for the Skilled Worker Visa and the Health and Care Worker Visa. Generally, your job should match your qualifications and experience level. Employers will look for specific skills that meet the requirements for the role you are applying for.
    
2. English Language Proficiency: Proving your English language proficiency is a crucial part of the application process for most UK work visas. You must demonstrate your ability to speak, read, write, and understand English. This can be done by passing an approved English language test or by having an academic qualification taught in English and recognised by the UK NARIC.
    
3. Salary Thresholds and Sponsorship Requirements: Many UK work visas have specific salary thresholds you must meet. For example, to qualify for the Skilled Worker Visa, your job must offer a salary of at least £38,700 per year or the "going rate" for the occupation, whichever is higher. If you do not meet the usual salary requirements, and do not work in healthcare or education, you might still be eligible if your salary will be at least £30,960 per year.
   Sponsorship is also a key requirement. Your prospective employer must have a valid sponsor licence and provide you with a certificate of sponsorship. This certificate includes details about your job, salary, and how long you will be employed in the UK.

Documents required for UK work visas 

Temporary Work Visas:

• Valid passport or travel document
• Certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer
• Proof of financial support (bank statements or a letter from your sponsor)
• Tuberculosis test results (if you are from a country it is required from)
• Proof of relationship with your partner or children (if they are applying with you)
• Certified translation services for any documents not in English
• A valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if your employer informs you that it is necessary because your role involves research on a sensitive topic at the PhD level or above (for Government Authorised Exchange Visa & International Exchange Visa)
• A letter of consent from a government or international scholarship agency allowing you to stay in or return to the UK (for Government Authorised Exchange Visa)
• Evidence of English language proficiency if you are a private servant applying from outside the UK (for International Exchange Visa)

Skilled Worker Visa

• Valid passport or travel document
• Certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer
• Proof of English proficiency
• Your job’s occupation code, job title and yearly salary
• Your employers name (in the UK) and their sponsor licence number
• Certified translation services for non-English documents

Visas You Can Apply for Without a Job Offer

• Valid passport or travel document
• Proof of BN(O) status
• Proof of financial support
• Tuberculosis test results (if applicable)
• Certified translation services for non-English documents
• Confirmation of your completed degree from a UK institution (for Graduate visa)
• If you were given, your biometric residence permit (BRP) (for Graduate visa)
• Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from when you applied for your Student visa (for Graduate visa)
• A letter from your sponsorship or scholarship provider
• Your bank statement, showing you have at least £2,530 in savings (for Youth mobility and India young professionals scheme visa)
• Proof of at least a Bachelor’s degree qualification (for India young professionals scheme visa)
• A police clearance certificate (for India young professionals scheme visa)
• Endorsement from an approved body (for Global talents visa)
• Proof of achievements in your field (for Global talents visa)
• Your birth certificate and the birth certificate of your parents and grandparents who your ancestry claims are tied to (UK ancestry visa)
• Proof of an intended job in the UK (UK ancestry visa)
• Legal adoption papers for you or your parents (UK ancestry visa)
• A statement from Ecctis approving your qualifications

Visas That Allow You to Work in the UK for Your Overseas Employer

• Valid passport or travel document
• Certificate of sponsorship reference number
• Your job’s occupation code, job title and yearly salary
• Proof of working for your employer outside the UK (If required for the Senior or Specialist worker visa)
• A valid ATAS certificate (for the Senior or Specialist and Secondment worker visa)
• Certified translation if necessary
• Bank statement proving you can support yourself
• A complete 'Appendix Domestic Worker Statement' signed by both you and your employer (for Overseas domestic worker visa)
• A statement from your employer confirming that you are a permanent employee, your job title and the length of your employment (for Overseas domestic worker visa)
• Proof of English proficiency (for Representative of an overseas business visa)
• A description of the main company’s activities, assets and account (for Representative of an overseas business visa)
• A statement from them that you are representing them and for how long (for Representative of an overseas business visa)
• Right to work in Switzerland (for Service providers from Switzerland visa)
• Proof of your employment and that your employer is in Switzerland
• The contract must have been signed before 11 pm on 31 December 2020 (for Service providers from Switzerland visa)
• Proof that work on the contract must have started before 11 pm on 31 December 2020 (for Service providers from Switzerland visa)
• Proof that you must travel to the UK to work on the contract (for Service providers from Switzerland visa)
• Proof of legally working in Switzerland for at least 12 months before applying, such as payslips or a Swiss residence card (if you are not an EEA or Swiss national)

Start a Business in the UK Visas

• Valid passport or travel document
• Your bank statement with at least £1,270 28 days before your application (for innovative visa)
• English language proficiency
• Certified translations of non-English documents
• TB test results if you are from a required office

Find out more on the various requirements for UK work visas on the UKVI website

Visa processing time

For most UK work visas, including the Skilled Worker Visa and the Health and Care Worker Visa, the standard processing time is usually around three weeks. This timeframe starts from the day you submit your biometric information at a visa application centre.

If you need a faster decision, you can opt for priority or super-priority services, available for an additional fee.

• Priority Service: With this service, you can expect a decision within five working days.
• Super Priority Service: This premium service provides a decision by the end of the next working day after your biometric appointment.

Factors affecting processing times

Several factors can influence how quickly your visa application is processed, including:

• Completeness of Application: Ensure all required documents are submitted correctly. If your documents are in a foreign language, using certified translation services from an accredited translation company can help avoid delays.
• Application Centre Location: Processing times can vary depending on where you submit your application.
• Time of Year: High application volumes during peak times can lead to longer processing times.

Sponsorship and employer requirements

To hire foreign workers, a UK employer must have a sponsor licence. This licence allows the employer to issue certificates of sponsorship, which are necessary for the visa application process. Due to the extensive process involved in getting this sponsorship licence, UK employers usually shy away from hiring foreign workers, except if it is absolutely necessary.

There are two types of sponsor licences:

1. Worker Licence: For hiring skilled workers, such as those on a Skilled Worker Visa or an Intra-Company Transfer Visa.
    
2. Temporary Worker Licence: For hiring temporary workers under specific visa categories, such as the Youth Mobility Scheme.

How employers can obtain a sponsor licence

1. Employers must apply online for a sponsor licence and pay the appropriate fee.
    
2. Employers need to provide supporting documents to prove their legitimacy and capability to sponsor foreign workers.
    
3. Employers must comply with UK immigration laws and maintain accurate records of their sponsored employees.

Once an employer has a sponsor licence, they can issue certificates of sponsorship to prospective employees. This certificate is a crucial part of the visa application process.

Employer responsibilities

Employers who sponsor foreign workers have several responsibilities:

1. Maintain records of sponsored workers, including contact details and employment history.
    
2. Report any changes in the worker’s circumstances, such as a change of job role or termination of employment, to the UKVI.
    
3. Ensure that sponsored workers comply with their visa conditions and the UK’s immigration laws.