United Kingdom

To secure a work visa or a work permit for the UK, in most cases, you will need to have a job offer from an employer with a sponsor license There are some exceptions to this, however, including the high potential individual (HPI) visa, and the graduate visa, as explained below. After Brexit, EU nationals who wish to work in the UK must also apply for a work visa or work permit. However, EU nationals with Pre-Settled or Settled Status under the EU settlement scheme do not require a work visa or permit to work in the UK.

There are several types of UK work visas and work permits available; these include the following:

• Skilled worker visa
• Scale up visa
• Temporary worker visa
• Global business mobility visa
• High potential individual visa
• Graduate visa
• Global talent visa
• Intra Company Transfer
• Sportsperson visa
• UK ancestry visa

Temporary worker visa

Temporary work visas allow foreign nationals to work in the UK for a short duration, but only for permitted purposes. There are several types of Temporary Work visas available in the UK, as follows:

• Charity Worker visa
• Creative Worker visa
• Government Authorized Exchange visa
• International Agreement visa
• Religious Worker visa
• Seasonal Worker visa

Temporary Worker visas are issued for a period of between 3 months and 2 years; this will depend on the visa you choose. In most cases, you will need to be at least 18 years or over, have a job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship (Cos) from a licensed temporary worker sponsor, and have sufficient funds to support yourself (at least £1,270). It is important to check the exact eligibility criteria for your chosen visa.

You will also be able to extend your Temporary Worker visa, but holders should be aware that there is often a maximum permitted length of stay. While you cannot take a permanent role in the UK on a temporary visa, you may be able to switch to a different type of visa that will allow you to do so (e.g. a Skilled Worker visa). Likewise, Temporary Worker visas do not provide a route to direct settlement, but you may be able to switch to a different type of visa that qualifies for ILR.

How to Get a Work Permit

Before you can apply you must satisfy the following work permit requirements:

• Have received a confirmed offer of employment from a licensed UK employer who will act as your sponsor; and
• Be in possession of a Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your sponsoring employer; and
• Pass the points-based assessment, details of which can be found on the category specific work permit pages listed below.

The work permit application process is led by the employer who is responsible for issuing you (the applicant) with a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Employers who want to know more about Tier 2 work permits are advised to read our section on Tier 2 visa information for employers.

How to get a work permit for the UK without a job offer

It is possible to get a work visa or work permit in the UK without a job offer by applying for a High Potential Individual visa, Graduate visa, or Global Talent visa. While a job offer is not required, applicants will need to meet other criteria to make a successful application for an unsponsored work visa in the UK.

UK Work Permits (General Category) & Permanent Residency

As a UK work permit holder, you can qualify for permanent residence if you have lived and worked in the UK for a minimum of five years. Once you have satisfied the five-year requirement you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK, which can then be followed by British Naturalization as a UK citizen.

Intra-Company Transfers & Permanent Residency

As a UK work permit holder under the ICT category, you can qualify for permanent residence if you have lived and worked in the UK for a minimum of five years and was granted a Tier 2 intra company transfer visa under the rules in place before 6th April 2010 or had previous leave as a qualifying work permit holder. Once you have satisfied the five-year requirement you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK (ILR), which can then be followed by British Naturalization as a UK citizen.

Changes of Employment

If you wish to change employers, you must get a new Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer. You will also need to undergo a reassessment against the current points test and the position will need to satisfy the advertising requirements of the resident labor market test (if applicable).

Graduate visa

The UK graduate visa is for foreign nationals who have successfully completed a degree or postgraduate course in the UK and allows them to stay for an additional 2 years (3 years with a Ph.D.).

Graduate visa applicants must apply from within the UK, hold an existing student visa or Tier 4 student visa, and have completed a bachelor’s degree or post-graduate degree in the UK.

Graduate visa holders cannot extend their stay or apply for settlement; however, it is possible to switch to a different type of visa if they want to continue to stay in the UK.

Standard Visitor visa

If you need a Standard Visitor visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK and attend an appointment at a visa application centre.

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

You must meet the eligibility requirements and only do permitted activities.

Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa to visit the UK. You can check if you need a visa before you apply.