UK Work Visas
In the UK a wide range of work visas are available for foreign nationals wishing to visit or work in the UK to seek or undertake employment. You can find out which UK work visa service is right for you and set your application in motion today by visiting the Global Visas online assessment area.
Tier 1 visas
The UK Home Office have designed Tier 1 UK immigration for the 'brightest and best' new immigrants, as such, the requirements are high and if you don't have a Masters Degree and a previous position paying £20k you will not qualify for any of the four cateogries:
The Tier 1 General category applies to highly skilled immigrants who wish to enter the UK in order to undertake employment.
The Tier 1 Entrepreneur category is for migrants wishing to start or take control of a UK business.
The Tier 1 Investors category is aimed at those contributing a substantial investment in the UK economy.
The Tier 1 Post-study work category provides the most talented graduates the opportunity to live and work in the UK after completing their Masters degree. Unlike the other three categories of Tier 1, this UK visa is only granted for a maximum of two years and does not count towards permanent settlement in the UK. Candidates who remain in Britain under this category will be obliged to switch their status into another part of the points system as soon as they are able to do so.
Applicants in the General, Investors, or Entrepreneur categories will be granted a three-year visa, with the option to extend this by a further two years if the requirements continue to be fulfilled.
Tier 2 Work Permits
To be granted a Tier 2 work permit a firm job offer from a UK company must be in place and requires a UK employer applying on behalf of a potential foreign national employee.
A UK work permit may be valid for between one day and five years and although they are not specifically intended as a route to permanent settled status in the UK, after 5 years of holding the same permit, a applicant may apply for Further Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR). As a result, like the HSMP, work permits allow the spouse, fiancé or long term partner of a candidate to join them in the UK through a UK dependency visa.
Applying for a UK Work Permit
The prearranged offer of employment must be at or above NVQ level 3 and candidates must possess a degree or equivalent, a relevant HND or a non-relevant HND plus a minimum of one years experience in a similar post. Alternatively a candidate may qualify based on 3 years of relevant work experience.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers wishing to bring a foreign national to work in the UK must show that they have advertised the position for at least 28 days within the EU work force and been unsuccessful in finding a suitable candidate. However, where positions are deemed to be in a shortage occupation this requirement will be waived.
Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer
Advertising a position is also unnecessary where an employer is bringing a foreign national to the UK on an Intra Company Transfer visa or ICT. ICTs are a specific form of work permit which allow a UK company to transfer an employee from an overseas branch or subsidiary for an agreed period. Candidates must have been working for the company for a minimum of six months and must have specific and relevant knowledge of the company's products or services. An ICT may be valid for up to 5 years however; this particular class of work permit will not lead to the opportunity to apply for permanent residency and the spouse or partner of an applicant may relocate to the UK with them, however, like the principle applicant, they will need to return to their country of residence when the permit expires.
Applying for an Intra Company Transfer
Advertising a position is also unnecessary where an employer is bringing a foreign national to the UK on an Intra Company Transfer visa or ICT. ICTs are a specific form of work permit which allow a UK company to transfer an employee from an overseas branch or subsidiary for an agreed period. Candidates must have been working for the company for a minimum of six months and must have specific and relevant knowledge of the company’s products or services. Like a work permit, an ICT may be valid for up to 5 years however, this particular class of work permit will not lead to the opportunity to apply for permanent residency. As with standard work permits, the spouse or partner of an applicant may relocate to the UK with them, however, like the principle applicant, they will need to return to their country of residence when the permit expires.
Youth Mobility Scheme
The Youth Mobility Scheme or YMS is a cultural exchange scheme designed for the 18-30 year olds. The scheme is currently only open to Australia, Japan, Canada and New Zealand, with young people from the United Kingdom open to travel and work in these countries and vice-versa for up to two years, contributing to the economy by working, paying taxes and spending on goods and services while young UK nationals enjoy similar opportunities in those countries.
Visit our online assessment at Global Visas area now to begin your application. Just take a moment to complete one of our quick and easy assessment forms and a consultant will contact you.
