UK Work Visa Process 2023- All interested candidates who want to travel to the UK for either a work basis or education will need a work visa permit to enter the country and start their desired work. In this post, we will try to explain the process of acquiring a work visa and why it is necessary to have a work visa. We will try to cover all the questions that arise in your mind regarding the work visa application process.
UK Work Visas and Employment-based Visas
To live and work in the UK, you will need a work permit and an employment visa. There are many types of work visas, depending on the length of your stay or the type of work you will do. Furthermore, you can find out your UK work permit eligibility and which visa applies to you by following the steps in this useful tool.
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UK Work Visa and Employment Visa Overview
The UK visa system is complex, even more so if you are bring you family along. Our Visa Solutions Team can introduce you and your loved ones to the most suitable visa and work permit options, and help you with all the documentations required in the process.
How Long Does UK Work Visa Process 2023 Take?
A UK work visa takes two to three months to be approved and allows you to work at a specific location and do a specific job. Your new employer must file the work permit on your behalf. However, you will not be allowed to enter the country or work until the proper visa has been issued, and you have entry clearance for yourself and any dependents you may have. You will also need to pay a healthcare surcharge.
In general, entry clearances take one to two weeks after the work permit has been issued. Security clearances for people from Russia, North Korea, Libya, Iraq, and China (PRC) take much longer. The visa will be in your passport. Once in the UK, if you want to switch jobs, a new employer will have to apply for a new work permit for you.
Who doesn’t Need a UK Work Visa?
Anyone who falls into one of the following categories does not require one:
- Citizens of the 25 EEA countries.
- Spouses and partners (not legally married but with two years of co-habitation) of EEA nationals.
- Permanent Residents. Spouses of holders of works permits, training permits, sole representatives, investors, students, and ancestry visas.
- Asylum seekers with pending applications.
- Commonwealth citizens with Ancestry visas (with a grandparent born in the UK).
Application should take place at the British High Commission in their home country. They last four years, after which the candidate is eligible for permanent residence.
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Types of UK Work Visas and Requirements
Tier 2 (General) visa is for people who have skilled jobs (earning at least 25,000 GBP or 32,000 USD). Sponsorship by a licensed organization in the field is required and is valid for up to six years.
Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa is for people working for a UK employer who are based overseas and are offered work in the UK. It is valid for six months to nine years.
Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa is for people who work for a sponsor faith community. It is valid for up to three years and can be extended.
Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa is for elite athletes or coaches endorsed by their sport’s national governing body. It is valid for up to three years and can be extended another three years.
Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa is for sponsored temporary workers (charity volunteer, athletes, artists, and religious workers), on official exchange or as part of an international agreement. It is valid for 1- 2 years.
Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa is for people aged 18-30, from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea or Taiwan and who have around 2,000 GBP (2,500 USD) in savings. So, is valid for up to two years.
Domestic Workers in Private Household visa – for private domestic workers who have worked for their employer for at least a year. It is valid for a maximum of six months.
Permitted Paid Engagement visa is for short-term paid work in the UK without sponsorship. Therefore, is valid for one month.
Types of Special UK Work Visas and Requirements
Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa – 1,000 of these visas are issued each year. As a result, is valid for up to five years with a possibility of extension for another five years. This visa is issued to experts in the fields of science, humanities, engineering, medicine, digital technology, and the arts.
Tier 1 (Investor) visa- for those willing to invest at least 2 million GBP (2.6 million USD) in the UK. So, is valid for three years and can be extended for a further two years.
Start-up visa- for citizens of countries outside of the EEA/Switzerland who want to start a business and have enough means to support themselves in the process. It is valid for two years.
Innovator visa- for people that have an “endorsement letter” to a business or idea, approved by an endorsing body from this list.
Furthermore, for Turkish nationals and Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK, there are specific UK work visas available.
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UK Work Visa Application Forms.
You will have to make an appointment to apply for a UK work visa in your home country. In addition, you can find locations of application centers in this list.
Furthermore, you can download work permit visa application forms prior to your appointment. The processing times for each visa type vary. In addition, may be notified to register your work visa after your arrival to the UK. If you need assistance with your applications forms or any other service related to your relocation, you can easily get in touch with our team of experts.
Basic Documents Required for UK Work Visa Process 2023
Here are the basic documents needed to process your UK Work Visas;
- Valid passport or travel ID.
- Corona Virus Test results
- Proof of financial means enough to support you during your stay (bank statements or sponsor confirmation).
- Proof of English language fluency
- Proof of payment of the healthcare surcharge.
- TB test if you will stay longer than six months and are a citizen of a listed country.
UK Work Visa Process 2023 Costs
The UK visa fees will vary depending on the type of visa and the length of time you are staying in the UK and there is a useful tool to work out the specific cost of your UK visa application.
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