You may be able to apply for a long-term or short-term UK work visa if you want to do an investment, set up & run a business, or work in the United Kingdom.
A UK work visa allows individuals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to live and work in the United Kingdom for a specific period of time. The type of work visa you need will depend on the nature and duration of the work you will be doing in the UK, as well as your individual circumstances.
If you need legal advice or help with any type of UK work visa application, our experienced immigration lawyer can provide you with the help you need.
Call Rex Law Chambers on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form for immigration advice and help with your UK work visa application.
What are the different types of UK Work visas?
There are several types of UK work visas available, including:
Popular work visas
Start a business
Work visas you can apply for without a job offer
There are several other UK work visa categories you can apply for without a job offer such as High Potential Individual (HPI) visa, India Young Professionals Scheme visa, Youth Mobility Scheme visa and British National (Overseas) visa.
Temporary work visas
- Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Religious Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- International Agreement visa (Temporary Work)
- Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)
Other work visas and permits
- International Sportsperson visa
- Minister of Religion visa (T2)
- Scale-up Worker visa
- Frontier Worker permit
- Representative of an Overseas Business visa
How to apply for a UK work visa?
To apply for a UK work visa, you will need to complete a correct application form depending on the type of your application and provide supporting documents.
Generally, you need to provide documents such as your passport, a job offer letter, and proof of your qualifications and experience. You may also be required to attend an interview and provide biometric information, such as fingerprints and a photograph.
UK work visa requirements
The specific requirements and application process may vary depending on the type of work visa and the individual circumstances of the applicant.
For most work visas in the UK, the applicant must have a job offer from a licensed sponsor in the UK. The job must be skilled and the applicant must have the necessary qualifications and experience for the job. The employer must also provide a certificate of sponsorship to confirm the job offer.
Other requirements may include passing a tuberculosis test (depending on the country of origin), providing biometric information, and having enough money to support oneself without needing public funds.
The most fundamental requirements for UK work visa applications are:
- You must be aged 18 or over
- You need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- You must meet funds and financial requirements
- You must meet the English language requirements
- You must meet Tuberculosis (TB) test requirements (if applicable)
You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements depending on type of application and your personal circumstances. Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.
UK work visa processing time (outside the UK)
You should get a decision on your UK work or investment visa within 3 weeks if applying outside the UK using standard service. However, it may take longer depending on the complexity of the matter.
UK work visa processing time (inside the UK)
If you want to extend or switch to a UK work visa from inside the UK, you will get a decision within 8 weeks. However, you may be able to use super priority service to get a faster decision.
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