Introduction to the UK Visa System
In the wake of leaving the European Union in 2020, the UK immigration system has undergone a range of radical changes. Many of the old popular visa routes have been closed and they have been replaced with a range of new UK working visas. If you would like to live and work in the UK you will need to be approved for one of these new visas. The new UK visa system can appear extremely intimidating, and it can be difficult to work out which UK working visa is the right one for you.
While at first glance the UK’s new visa system may appear to be designed to make it more difficult for people to come to the UK to work, this is not the case. In the year leading up to March 2022, the UK issued a record number of visas, mostly skilled worker visas. Though this number may be skewed by many EU citizens who previously lived and worked in the UK under the free movement principles but now must obtain a UK working visa.
In this article, we are going to explore some of the most popular visa options for people looking to emigrate to the UK. We will look at the key features of each type of visa to help you try to work out which is appropriate for you. We will also show you how to apply for each of the UK work visas and highlight a few of the useful resources out there to help you navigate the UK visa system.
The different types of UK working visas can be separated into two categories: Long-Term Work Visas and Short-Term Work Visas. We will look at the most common examples of each and help you work out which is the best to suit your needs. There are also many organisations available, like LifeSolvers group, who can guide you step by step through the process of applying for a UK working visa and answer any questions you might have about how to apply for a UK working visa.
Long-Term Work Visas
Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker Visa has replaced the old ‘Tier 2 (General)’ Visa and has become the main route for non-UK residents to begin working in the UK. The Skilled Worker Visa accounts for 61% of work-related visas issued by the UK with over 125,000 begin issued in 2021. The Skilled Worker Visa is available to any individual who can score 70 points on the new UK points-based immigration system.
Points are awarded for things such as having a minimum level of English comprehension, certain levels of skill or qualification, or an offer for a job listed on the eligible jobs list.
There is a wide range of jobs on the eligible jobs list so if you are a qualified professional with an A-level or Bachelors’ degree level qualification there is an excellent chance you would be approved for a Skilled Worker Visa.
Key Points
Requires a certificate of sponsorship from an approved employer
Must be for a job on the eligible jobs list
Must meet minimum salary requirements
Lasts for 5 years and can be extended
After application you should receive a decision in 3 weeks (if you’re outside the UK)
Health Care Worker Visa
The Health Care Worker Visa has been set up to help the UK deal with the shortage of qualified healthcare workers it currently suffers from. The visa is available to people who wish to work in a wide range of health and social care roles, from health care assistants up to doctors and nurses. To be eligible for the visa you do need to have a confirmed job offer in an applicable role, however, as there is a huge shortage of health care workers in the UK currently this should not be difficult to obtain.
Key Points
Must work in an eligible social care job
Requires a certificate of sponsorship from an approved employer
Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English
Lasts up to 5 years if you stay in an eligible job, can be updated if you move to another ‘skilled job’
After application you should receive a decision in 3 weeks (if you’re outside the UK)
Scale Up-Visa
The Scale-Up Visa has been introduced to allow rapidly expanding UK-based companies in a range of sectors to find exceptional employees in order to allow them to continue expanding. To qualify for this visa, you need to have a job offer from a UK business which meets certain ‘Scale-Up’ criteria, including employee numbers and profit growth targets.
Most of these companies are in the technology sector so if you are a rising star in this niche then the Scale-Up visa may be applicable to you.
Key Points
Available to people with a job offer from a ‘fast-growing UK business
Requires a certificate of sponsorship from an approved employer
Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English
Initial visa is for 2 years and can be extended in 3-year increments.
Application costs £715
Applicants need to meet minimum savings requirements
Short Term Work Visa’s
Global Talent Visa
Like the Scale-Up visa the Global Talent visa is designed to allow the UK to attract the best and brightest workers and create a pathway for their emigration. As the Scale-Up visa is primarily aimed at tech workers, the Global Talent visa allows leaders in other industries such as academia, arts and culture to be endorsed to live and seek work in the UK.
The visa is also open to applicants who have been awarded prestigious prizes, such as the Booker Prizes or an Oscar, as the UK is always looking to attract the most talented people available.
Key Points
Only available to people who are leaders or potential leaders in the following fields:
Academia or research
Arts and culture
Digital technology
Your application must be endorsed by an expert panel approved by the Home Office
Allows you to live and work in the UK for 5 years can be extended afterwards
Application costs £623
Allows you to bring your partner and children to the UK with you
Innovator Visa
The Innovator Visa was created to provide a pathway for those with creative and unique business ideas to come and use the UK as their base for expansion. In order to apply you must have a minimum of £50,000 in investment funds and have your business plan approved by an endorsing body of experts.
Key Points
Visa Is for those who wish to set up an innovative business in the UK
The business must be different from anything else on the market which will be judged by an endorsing body
Allows you to live and work in the UK for 3 years which can be extended when your visa is due to expire
Endorsement can be cut short if your business is judged to be no longer viable
Application costs £1,036
Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
The Youth Mobility Scheme works in a similar way to other countries’ work/travel visas. It allows people between the ages of 18 and 30 to come to the UK to work if they have the financial resources to support themselves. This gives young people from other counties a fantastic opportunity to come to the UK without having to already have a job lined up. This gives them a chance to decide if the UK is where they want to be long-term.
Key Points
Only available to applicants who are aged between 18 and 30
Allows you to live and work in the UK for 2 years
You must have at least £2,530 in savings to support yourself
Only available to applicants from particular countries
You are not able to bring family members with you as part of your application, they would need to apply for their own relevant visa
Final Thoughts
The visas we have shown here are not an exhaustive list, more information can be found on the UK government’s visa homepage. There are many options for people looking to live and work in the UK, in addition to the ones we have mentioned there is a wide range of specialist working visas such as the International Sportsperson visa and Charity Worker Visa.
If you are still not sure which visa would be best for you, or if you would like help with the application process the best advice we can offer you is to get in touch with our team of experts who could guide you every step of the way.