The United Kingdom has a range of work visas:
The United Kingdom has a range of work visas available for foreign nationals who wish to work in the country. The type of work visa you need to apply for will depend on your skills, qualifications and the type of job you will be doing in the UK. Here is a comprehensive guide on the UK work visas and what you need to know about each of them.
Tier 2 General Visa The Tier 2 General Visa is for highly skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who have been offered a skilled job in the UK. To be eligible, you must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK employer and score enough points on the Points-Based System (PBS) immigration assessment. Additionally, you must have a minimum of £945 in savings to cover a period of 90 days and be able to meet the minimum salary requirement for your role.
Tier 2 Intracompany Transfer Visa The Tier 2 Intracompany Transfer Visa is for employees of a multinational company who are being transferred from an overseas branch to a UK branch of the same company. You must have been working for the company for at least 12 months, have a valid CoS from the UK branch, and score enough points on the PBS immigration assessment.
Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme Visa The Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme Visa is for young people aged 18 to 30 from participating countries, who want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. You must have £1,620 in savings, comprehensive sickness insurance and a valid certificate of sponsorship.
Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa The Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa is for individuals coming to the UK to carry out temporary work or services, including charity work, religious work, and creative and sporting activities. You must have a valid CoS from a licensed sponsor and score enough points on the PBS immigration assessment.
Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa The Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa is for individuals who want to set up or run a business in the UK. You must have access to at least £50,000 in investment funds, meet the English language requirement, and score enough points on the PBS immigration assessment.
Tier 1 Investor Visa The Tier 1 Investor Visa is for individuals who want to make a substantial financial investment in the UK. You must have £2 million or more to invest in the UK, meet the English language requirement, and score enough points on the PBS immigration assessment.
Tier 4 Student Visa The Tier 4 Student Visa is for individuals who want to study in the UK. You must have a valid confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) from a UK educational institution, meet the English language requirement, and have enough money to support yourself without needing to work or receive financial support. You can work on this visa for a limited number of hours.
The UK Work Visa, also known as the Tier 2 visa, is designed for individuals who have a job offer from a UK employer and have been sponsored by that employer. The Tier 2 visa is divided into several sub-categories, including Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer), and Tier 2 (Minister of Religion).
To apply for the UK Work Visa, the first step is to find a job in the UK that has been advertised as requiring a Tier 2 visa. The UK employer will then apply for a sponsorship license, which allows them to sponsor foreign workers to come and work in the UK. Once the sponsorship license has been approved, the employer will issue the individual with a certificate of sponsorship, which the individual will use to apply for their visa.
The eligibility criteria for the UK Work Visa are::
- Job Offer: The individual must have a valid job offer from a UK employer that has been approved for a sponsorship license.
- Certificate of Sponsorship: The individual must have a certificate of sponsorship from their UK employer.
- Points-Based System (PBS) Requirements: The individual must score enough points under the PBS system, which is used to assess applicants for visas. Points are awarded for things such as qualifications, previous earnings, and future potential earnings.
- English Language Requirement: The individual must demonstrate that they have a good level of English, either by passing an approved English language test or by holding a degree that was taught in English.
- Maintenance Funds: The individual must have enough money to support themselves without relying on public funds.
Once the individual has met these eligibility criteria, they can apply for the UK Work Visa. The visa application process involves completing an online form, paying the visa fee, and attending a visa appointment at a UK visa application center. During the visa appointment, the individual will be required to provide biometric information, such as fingerprints and a digital photograph.
The UK Work Visa is usually granted for a period of up to five years, depending on the length of the job offer. After this period, the individual may be eligible to apply for an extension or for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
In addition to the standard Tier 2 visa, there are also several other types of UK work visas available, including the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa, which is for individuals who have been endorsed as a leader or an emerging leader in their field, and the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa, which is for individuals coming to the UK for a temporary work placement or for charity work.
In conclusion, the UK Work Visa is a valuable option for individuals who have a job offer from a UK employer and who meet the eligibility criteria. The visa allows individuals to work in the UK for a set period of time, and may lead to other immigration opportunities, such as indefinite leave to remain or settlement. If you are considering applying for a UK Work Visa, it is important to seek professional advice to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria and to understand the visa application process.
