For a long time, the UK’s robust economy and diverse industries have attracted professionals from around the globe. As existing companies experience global innovation and new companies emerge, the demand for skilled workers has increased.
More professionals seek to move to the UK through work immigration, and this article will guide them through the primary visa routes available to them for work immigration to the UK.
It will simplify the complex process of work visa application by outlining all visa categories and requirements, so you can know which one you are eligible for. You will also learn how to know if you are eligible for the sponsored worker visa and how to apply.
Understanding the UK Immigration Landscape for Work
The idea of work immigration from the UK does not necessarily mean those who seek to leave the UK; rather, it refers to UK residents who wish to switch from their current visa to a visa that authorizes them to work.
Note that working in the UK without the correct visa is illegal, and the penalty can be either deportation or an outright ban from ever entering the UK.
As introduced in 2021, the UK’s point-based immigration system uses a scoring system to assess the eligibility of foreign workers based on factors such as qualifications, English language skills, salary, and sponsorship to get a work visa that allows them to live and work in the UK.
Individuals can switch to any of these visa categories – Skilled Worker Visa, Health and Care Worker Visa, Global Talent Visa, and other potential visa routes.
Key UK Work Visa Categories
The first visa category is the skilled worker visa, which is the main pathway for skilled workers who have job offers from a licensed UK employer/sponsor. The job must be at an appropriate skill level, which is RQF level 3 or above, and must meet the salary requirements for that position and level of experience.
Another visa category is the health and care worker visa, which health professionals can use to do eligible jobs with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care. Health professionals who can immigrate with this visa include doctors, allied health professionals, adult social care workers, nurses, etc.
The Global Talent Visa is for individuals who have attained or have the potential to attain a leadership position in any of the following fields: digital technology, engineering, humanities, the arts, and science.
It does not require a job offer, sponsorship, or English language proficiency, but an endorsement from a recognized UK endorsing body relevant to that award. Examples of the endorsing bodies include Tech Nation, Arts Council England, The Royal Society, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, etc.
The intra-company transfer visa, or the L-1 visa, is the best route for employees of multinational companies who have been transferred to work in the UK branch of their company. To qualify for this, the employee must have worked for the company for at least 12 years outside of UK.
The start-up and innovator visa allows foreign nationals who wish to come to the UK to establish an innovative business.
While the Innovator Founder visa allows foreign entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas to start and grow their business in the UK, the Start-up visa allows foreign nationals with a good business plan and a reliable source of funding to start a business in the UK.
Key Considerations for Applicants
For applicants who wish to go through the route that requires sponsorship, such as the Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas, they need to find sponsoring employers on valid job boards or through agents.
Generally, every work visa mentioned in the section above has a salary threshold, so applicants need to verify the threshold specific to their application and ensure it meets the requirement.
Most of the work visa routes require proof of proficiency in the English language through an approved test or by having a degree taught in English. Your DBS, i.e., criminal record checks, has to be clean, as most employers will not hire someone with a record.
For some visa routes, you need to show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for at least the first month after you arrive in the UK.
To apply, visit the UK government’s official website, complete the application form, upload all required documents and pay the application fee.
