How to get a Work Visa in the UK

Health and Care Worker visa

Health and Care Worker visas allow medical professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care. A Health and Care Worker visa can last up to five years before the need to extend it.

Applicants can apply from within the UK and can switch to the Health and Care Worker visa from an eligible one upon meeting the eligibility requirements.

Minister of Religion visa (T2)

Persons who have been offered a job within a faith community (for example as a minister of religion, missionary, or member of a religious order) in the UK and meet other eligibility criteria can apply for the Minister of Religion visa (T2).

As part of the eligibility requirements, applicants are required to have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor. Holders can stay in the UK for a maximum of up to 3 years and 1 month, or the time given on their certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

Applicants can apply from within the UK and can switch to the Minister of Religion visa from an eligible one upon meeting the eligibility requirements.

Senior or Specialist Worker visa

Holders of the Senior or Specialist Worker visa can come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job at their employer’s UK branch. They can stay for whichever is shorter of five years or the time given on their certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days.

Interested applicants can switch to this visa from within the UK and from an eligible one or extend if renewing the visa.

International Sportsperson visa

Individuals who meet the requirements and whose application is endorsed by an approved governing body can apply for the International Sportsperson visa.

An endorsement by a Home Office-approved Sports Governing Bodies implies that:

• The applicant is an elite sportsperson or a qualified coach and is internationally established.
• The applicant’s employment will develop his/her sport in the UK at the highest level.

As part of their requirements, an applicant must have a CoS from an approved sponsor. The International Sportsperson visa can last for up to three years and is extendable. Applicants can apply from within the UK and can switch to the visa from an eligible one upon meeting the eligibility requirements.

Who is not allowed to switch to Long-Term Visas?

Persons who are not allowed to switch to the long-term visa category are those currently in the UK:

• On a visit visa.
• On a short-term student visa.
• On a Parent of a Child Student visa.
• On a Seasonal Worker visa.
• On a Domestic Worker in a private household visa.
• On immigration bail.
• Because they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, such as on compassionate grounds.

Investor, Business and Talent Visas

This visa category applies to highly skilled workers and talented applicants who intend to come to the UK without a sponsor or job offer. They include the visa types outlined below.

Innovator visa

Innovator visa applicants are those who have a business or business idea which has been endorsed by an approved endorsing body, or who want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK. They must meet the applicable eligibility requirements to apply.

Holders of Innovator visas can stay in the UK for three years regardless of if they switched or if they came to the UK with the visa. Applicants can apply from within the UK and can switch to this visa from an eligible one if they meet all eligibility requirements.

Start-up visa

A start-up visa permits its holder to set up a completely new and innovative business in the UK. Applicants must be endorsed by either a UK higher education institution or a business organisation with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs.

The Start-up visa is valid for two years and is non-extendable. Applicants can apply from within or outside the UK and can switch to this visa from an eligible one.

Global Talent visa

Global Talent visas allow holders who are leaders or potential leaders in fields such as digital technology, arts and culture, and academia or research to work in the UK.

As part of their requirements, they must have won an eligible award or hold an endorsement as proof that they are leaders in their field. Holders of the Global Talent visa can live and work in the UK for up to five years.

Applicants can apply from within the UK and can also switch to this visa from an eligible one, upon meeting the eligibility requirements.

Who is not allowed to switch to the Investor, Business and Talent Visa?

Persons who are not allowed to switch to this visa category are those currently in the UK:

• On a visit visa.
• On a short-term student visa.
• On a Parent of a Child Student visa.
• On a Seasonal Worker visa.
• On a Domestic Worker in a private household visa.
• On immigration bail.
• Because they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, such as on compassionate grounds.

Except for a few temporary visas, the short-term work visa requires having at least £1,270 in savings unless exempted, paying £259 application fee and £624 Healthcare surcharge fee per year.

• The Seasonal Worker visa applicant is exempt only from paying the health surcharge fee.
• The Graduate visa applicants must pay a £715 application fee and are exempt from submitting proof of funds.
• The Youth Mobility Scheme visa applicants, in addition to paying the usual application fee, must have at least £2,530 as proof of funds and pay £470 per year as health surcharge.
• High Potential Individual visa applicants must pay £715 application fee and £210 ECCTIS checking fee in addition to the usual health surcharge fee and proof of funds.

For long-term visas, the application fee varies depending on the visa type and the number of family members indicated in the application form. Applicants are generally required to pay the health surcharge fee (£624) and have proof of funds of at least £1,270.

• Health and Care visa applicants are exempt from paying the health surcharge
• Skilled Worker visa applicants get to pay a lower application fee if their job is on the shortage occupation list.

The application fee and health surcharge for visa applicants under the Investor, Business and Talent Visa categories differ depending on if applying alone or with eligible family members.

The documents required for the UK visa application differ, especially considering the length of the visa.

• Short-term visa categories – Except for the Youth Mobility Scheme, every short-term visa require that applicants have a certificate of sponsorship provided by a Home Office-approved employer. Other documents required include:
• • Proof of required funds such as bank statements.
  • Sponsorship reference number
  • Valid passport or other ID showing identity.
  • Tuberculosis test results, if applicable.
  • Name of sponsor and sponsor licence number.
  • Proof of relationship with your partner and children if they are applying with you.
  • Proof of knowledge of English, if applicable to your visa route.
  • Any other requested documents.
• Long-term visa categories – Generally, the documents required are:
  • Criminal records certificate, if applicable.
  • Proof of funds.
  • Tuberculosis test results, if applicable.
  • Name of sponsor and sponsor licence number.
  • Job title and annual salary.
  • Valid passport or any other document that shows identity.
  • Proof of relationship with your partner and children if they are applying with you.
  • Any other requested documents.
• Investor, Business and Talent visa categories – Generally, the required documents are:
  • Valid passport or any other document that shows identity.
  • Tuberculosis test results, if applicable.
  • Proof of investment capital.
  • Proof of English language requirements, if applicable.
  • Any other requested documents.

You must follow the steps outlined below to make an application for a work visa:

• Proceed to the UK government website page that has the list of work visas.
• Select your preferred visa type from the list.
• Select ‘Switch to this visa’ from the content. Read the eligibility requirements to ensure you meet them. Read about the documents you need to collect to ensure you have them all ready and make digital copies.
  If you are applying for your partner and/or children, read the section that holds the related guidance to ensure you have all the required documents and that they meet the requirements. They will usually require a separate application each.
  Make sure that you meet the ‘proof of funds’ requirements and have both the application and healthcare surcharge fee on your bank card.
• Select ‘Apply’ on the page and follow the instructions to complete your application.

Note that you are allowed to save your application and complete it later.