UK Work Visas: Which One is Right for You?
If you are currently in the UK on a visitor visa or perhaps you wish to move over to widen your career opportunities, or maybe you are being transferred with your job to a different branch within the UK, there is a different type of worker visa just for you. There are several different types that are suited for a range of unique circumstances when you wish to apply to live and work within the UK.
It’s important that before you apply for a work visa, you do your research so you apply for the right one. It’s not as straightforward as sending over your information and them assigning you a visa that is best suited to you. Only if you apply for the wrong one, you will have to pay again to go through the application process, which will be very expensive.
Introduction
Not only since Brexit have UK immigration laws changed but as a matter of fact, they have changed due to the current unpleasant world affairs within the Middle East and Russia with American influence. For example, prices of applying for a skilled worker visa have increased by 58% since 2021. This is a huge jump and makes it difficult for people in working positions to come over, which is something that some industries need within the UK.
Types Of UK Work Visas
Overall, there are 3 category types of work visas with multiple types falling into each of those categories. These are the 2 most popular categories and their subcategories are as follows:
Short-Term UK Work Visa
Short-term work visas typically last six months to a year and are mostly used for temporary work assignments in the UK. In some cases, you might be able to extend your visa. The points-based visa system typically does not include short-term visas, which are granted for particular kinds of employment.
Here is a list of short-term UK work visas:
- Charity worker temporary visa
- Creative worker temporary visa
- Government authorised the exchange of a temporary visa
- International agreement temporary visa
- Religious worker visa
- Seasonal worker visa
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa
- Graduate Visa
- Student Visa
Likely Requirements
You will often need to have received a job offer from a licensed sponsoring organisation in addition to meeting the particular work requirements associated with the type of short-term visa. Generally speaking, you will also need to have savings of at least £1,270 to sustain yourself while visiting. Additionally, you must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for some short-term visas.
It’s important to remember that the majority of short-term UK work visas prevent you from receiving public funds like unemployment insurance. The NHS does, however, provide free treatment; nonetheless, you will typically be required to pay the healthcare surcharge, which is presently up to £624 annually. Usually, your partner and any dependent children are welcome to accompany you; a separate visa for them will be required.
How To Apply & Costs
You can apply online, but I would strongly recommend that you gather all of the relevant documents to finish the application on time and make it a much smoother process.
As of 2024, you are likely to pay anything between £115 to a couple of thousand, but this is completely dependent on type and how long you plan on staying; short-term visas can be up to 2 years.
Long Term UK Work Visa
These are visas that are typically valid for between two and five years and are renewable. Because they entitle the holder to a longer residency in the UK, often with the chance of eventually applying for permanent residence or UK citizenship, they have higher requirement thresholds.
Current long-term UK work visas are:
- Skilled worker visa
- Health and care worker visa
- Senior or specialist worker visa
- Minister of religion visa
- International Sportsperson visa
- Representative of overseas business visa
Likely Requirements
You need to get 70 points on the points-based system to be eligible for the majority of long-stay work visas in the UK, particularly those for skilled worker posts. Each applicant must meet a minimum of 50 points of these specific requirements, which are:
- Work offer from authorised sponsor (20 points)
- Work at a suitable degree of expertise (20 points)
- Minimum level English skills, usually at least B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) scale (10 points)
You can then make up the remaining 20 points from the following:
- Salary of £25,600 or the going rate for the profession, whichever is higher (20 points)
- Job in an official shortage occupation (20 points)
- PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job (20 points)
- Salary of between £23,040 and £25,599 or at least 90% of the going rate for the profession. (10 points)
- PhD in a non-STEM subject relevant to the job. (10 points)
You also need to have a certain amount of money in your savings to support yourself until your first wage. You have to be working more than 20 hours per week and can be two different jobs.
How To Apply & Costs
You can apply online, with the help of immigration solicitors in London and again, I would recommend doing this after you’ve gathered all the evidence and documentation. You can apply up to 3 months before you intend to move to the UK, as the application process can take up to 8 weeks and possibly longer.
You are looking to spend anything between £400 and £10,000, as it is completely dependent on what type of visa you are applying for.
