The UK relies heavily on overseas workers filling positions, particularly in the fields of healthcare and the education sector. Without these workers, institutions such as the NHS and the education system would struggle greatly.
Though it is not just the UK systems that benefit; many overseas workers are incentivized to come to the UK due to the allure of good pay and working conditions, when compared with many other countries in the world.
In 2023, the UK granted 337,240 work visas, which presented a 26% increase on 2022’s figures. This well-developed visa process facilitates this symbiotic relationship between the UK economy and overseas workers.
In this guide, we will explore the process of applying for a UK work visa. We will go into detail at each stage, discussing the eligibility criteria, the application process, and the different types of work visas. We will explore some handy tips that will help you increase your chances of making a successful application and how you can apply to extend an existing work visa.
Types of UK Work Visas
There are an eclectic range of UK work visas that exist, but the main categories are:
- Skilled worker visas: for skilled workers who have a job offer from a UK employer who is registered as a licensed sponsor.
- Health and care worker: for health and care workers who want to come and work for the National Health Service or adult social care.
- Specialist worker visas: for employees of multinational companies that transfer their operations to the UK. These are generally highly specialized roles, hence the name.
- Global talent visas: for leaders and rising leaders in fields such as art and research.
- UK graduate work visas: for overseas students who have studied on a student visa, and graduated successfully, and want to stay to work in the UK.
- UK domestic worker visas: for overseas employees who work in private households, to come to the UK to work in their employer’s household temporarily.
- Seasonal worker visas: for overseas workers who want to come to the UK to carry out seasonal work such as fruit picking and harvesting jobs.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria to apply for a work visa differs depending on the type of work visa being applied for. The general requirements for the main types are:
- Health and care worker: must be a qualified medical or adult social care professional, work an eligible job for the visa, and receive a certificate of sponsorship from their employer.
- Skilled worker visa: must have a certificate of sponsorship from their employer, work an eligible job for the visa, and work for a UK company that has been approved by the home office.
- Specialist worker visas: must have worked for the same employer outside of the UK, have a valid certificate of sponsorship from the employer, and work an eligible job for the visa.
- UK graduate work visas: must have an existing student visa, reside in the UK, and have studied a UK bachelor’s degree or other eligible course and completed it successfully.
- Global talent visas: must be a leader or potential leader in academia, research, arts, culture, or digital technology and be at least 18 years old.
- UK domestic worker visas: must be 19 years or older and have worked in the employer’s household for at least one year. Must also plan to travel to the UK with the employer, plan to leave at the end of the six-month period, and be financially self-sufficient so as not to rely on public funds.
Application Process
The first step of the application is to determine what visa type is needed for your application.
If this is not immediately obvious, you can find this out by visiting the UK Gov website, going to the UK Visas and Immigration section, and clicking on the button that says ‘check if you need a UK visa.’ This will prompt you to answer some questions about your situation, and then the website will suggest a visa type.
Once you have an idea of your required visa type, the next step is to check through the eligibility criteria. Next, you will need to secure a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsorship license and then ask them to provide a certificate of sponsorship.
You will then need to prepare supporting documentation and submit an online application via the UK Gov website. At this point, you will receive a biometric appointment date, which you must attend to provide your photo and fingerprints. After this, it’s a waiting game until you receive a decision.
UK Work Visa Requirements
There are a range of requirements when it comes to securing a work visa. There are some overarching requirements that apply to all work visa types, and some specific conditions for the various subtypes as well.
While requirements differ between visa types, on the whole, the UK government wants to ensure that all overseas workers are healthy, financially independent, aligned with the ethos and values of the UK, able to communicate in English, and working for approved companies that are licensed to sponsor workers.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship is fundamental to all UK work visa schemes. This means that all applicants must have secured a valid job offer from a licensed sponsor. All these companies will have undergone strict assessment by the home office to ensure that they provide suitable work.
Certificate of Sponsorship
For an applicant to obtain a work visa, they will need to receive a certificate of sponsorship from their employer. This certificate details the job offer to the applicant, as well as the pay, level of responsibility and skill, qualifications required, and work remit.
Skills and Qualifications
The skills, qualifications, and experience required differ greatly from one work visa type to another.
Skilled worker visa applicants require a job offer in an eligible occupation on the shortage occupation list. This list changes from year to year, but effectively details industries which have a current skills shortage.
The idea here is that overseas workers should be encouraged to perform job roles which are vitally needed for the UK to function effectively, rather than working in areas which are already oversaturated. In terms of the qualification level for skilled worker visas, job roles must be at RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent) or above.
Global talent visas have slightly less quantifiable requirements, but applicants must effectively pioneer their field to some degree, demonstrating exceptional levels of talent. In terms of qualifications, this visa type requires endorsement by an approved endorsing body, and the applicant must have achieved a high level of status and recognition in their given field.
Specialist worker visa applicants must demonstrate specialist or managerial skill sets, and if the applicant is a graduate, the role they are applying for must include training towards specialist and managerial skill sets. The job offer must come from an eligible UK branch of the international company.
English Language Requirements
Most work visa types have some level of English language requirement, though the competency required varies depending on the visa type. The requirements are as follows:
- Skilled worker visa: must demonstrate proficiency at CEFR level B1 or above.
- Specialist worker visa: does not require proficiency for graduate level roles or above, CEFR level B1 proficiency sometimes required for other roles.
- Global talent visa: does not require proficiency unless the specific role applied for requires this.
- Start-up visa: must demonstrate proficiency at CEFR level B2 or above.
- Health and care worker visa: must demonstrate proficiency at CEFR level B1 or above.
Maintenance Funds
All work visa applicants must provide evidence which demonstrates their ability to support themselves in the UK. This is enforced through minimum salary thresholds for eligible roles, as well as savings requirements for visa types such as the youth mobility scheme.
Some visa types such as the start-up visa, innovator visa, and global talent visa, do not have a minimum salary requirement.
Health and Character Requirements
All applicants must undergo a tuberculosis test, a general health check, a criminal record check, and a background check. There are also vaccination requirements for specific visa types, such as the health and care worker visa.
Specific UK Work Visa Categories
The eligibility criteria, required documents, and application process differ from one work visa type to another, though they all share similarities, such as the need to work for a sponsored employer.
UK Skilled Worker Visa
Applicants for the UK skilled worker visa will require a job offer from a licensed sponsor, and the job role must be included in the UK’s shortage occupation list. Applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency in addition to the standard work visa requirements.
Applications must be made on the UK Gov website, and the fee for this visa type ranges from £610 and £1,408 depending on the length of stay.
Global Talent Visa
Global talent visa applicants must be recognized as leaders in their field, or emerging leaders who show promise. The application fee for this visa type is £152 for the base application fee and £624 per year for the immigration health surcharge.
UK Specialist Worker Visa
UK specialist worker visa applicants must have a job offer from a UK employer who is a licensed sponsor and work a role that is eligible under the specialist worker category at an RQF Level 6 or above.
UK Work Visa Application Fees and Processing Times
The fees associated with UK work visa applications can change at any given time. As of August 2024, these are:
- Skilled worker visas: £610 for up to 3 years, £1,220 for more than three years.
- Specialist worker visas: £610 for up to 3 years, £1,220 for more than three years.
- Global talent visas: £152 for all applications.
- Start-up visas: £378 for up to 2 years.
The average processing time for most UK work visa applications is eight weeks. This can vary at times when the home office is experiencing high volumes of visa applications.
Common Reasons for UK Work Visa Refusals
There are a range of reasons that applicants have their UK work visas denied. The main culprits are insufficient evidence, failure to meet the requirements of the visa type applied for, and issues with sponsorship.
Insufficient Evidence
Missing out evidence on any part of the application can invalidate the whole application. For example, when providing evidence of your financial situation, it is important to attach PDF files of the required documents, such as payslips and bank statements.
Failure to Meet Requirements
Many applicants do not meet the eligibility criteria for the visa type they are applying for, in which case their application will be denied. Similarly, providing inaccurate information can also lead to visa refusal, even if this is done without any deliberate intent.
Sponsorship Issues
If an employer is not on the sponsorship list or does not provide a comprehensive certificate of sponsorship, your visa application is likely to be declined. This can feel particularly unfair for applicants since this is often the failure of the employer, but you may be required to liaise with your employer to ensure they are fulfilling their obligations.
Maintaining and Extending Your UK Work Visa
If you have already received a UK work visa, you will likely want to maintain it, and possibly extend it depending on your circumstances. If you adhere to the visa conditions, report any changes in your job, and comply with immigration rules, you will improve your chances of being able to extend your visa.
Visa Validity and Extensions
Most of the common work visa types are valid for five years, such as the skilled worker visa, the specialist worker visa, the global talent visa, and the health and care worker visa. Some exceptions include start-up visas, which are valid for 2 years, and innovator visas, which are valid for 3 years. Seasonal worker visas are typically valid for six months.
You can apply to extend your visa if you are on a skilled worker visa, innovator visa, global talent visa, or a health and care worker visa and remain eligible for the visa type. =Applicants must determine their eligibility, prepare their supporting documents, and apply via the online application form on the Gov website.
Changing Jobs or Employers
If you decide to change jobs while under a work visa type, you must ensure the new job meets the criteria set out in the visa requirements.
Settlement and Indefinite Leave to Remain
Some individuals on a work visa may eventually apply for settlement and obtain indefinite leave to remain in the UK. To apply for this, applicants must have had continuous residence in the UK for the previous five years and must be in the UK under a valid visa type at the time of sending their application.