The Ultimate Guide to Getting a UK Work Visa for Foreigner

If you’re not a UK citizen or British-national passport holder, it can be tricky to get permission to work in the United Kingdom. Here’s everything you need to know about getting the UK work visa for foreigners with this ultimate guide! Whether you want to move here permanently or just go on holiday, it’s important to understand the UK work visa requirements before you book your trip. We’ll cover how to get a UK-to-work visa for foreigners from all over the world, so let’s get started!

What is a Work visa?

If you want to come to the United Kingdom (UK) to work, you will need to apply for a work visa. The type of work visa you will need depends on the kind of work you plan to do and how long you plan to stay in the UK. If you are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you will also need to show that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. You can apply for a work visa up to 3 months before your trip.

About Work Visa in the UK

There are several types of work visas in the United Kingdom, each with its own set of requirements. The most common type of work visa is the Tier 2 (General) visa, which is for highly skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). To be eligible for this visa, you must have an offer of a skilled job from a licensed employer and meet the points-based criteria.

General Information

If you're looking to move to the UK and start working, you'll need to obtain a work visa. The process can be daunting, but we're here to help. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about getting a UK-to-work visa as a foreigner.

First of all, let's take a look at the categories of visas that are available: Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Tier 2 General Visa Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme Short-Term Visitor Visa.

Each category has specific criteria you must meet before you can qualify for a visa, so it's important to understand what type of visa will best suit your needs.

For example, if you want to launch your own business in the UK or secure a job with an international company, then applying for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa would be ideal. However, if your goal is long-term employment with a local business or organization, then opting for something like Tier 2 General is probably best.

Type of Visas in the UK

Here we are discussing the most common visa in the United Kingdom:

Student Visas

If you want to come to the United Kingdom to study, you'll need to apply for a student visa. The process can seem daunting, but we're here to help. Here's everything you need to know about getting a student visa for the UK. After reading this blog post, you will have learned that there are three types of visas available for students:

Tier 4 General Student, Tier 4 Child Student, and Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme. You will also learn what documentation is required for these different types of visas and how long it takes to receive your document before entering the country.
Learn more at How To Get a UK work visa for Foreigner!

Skilled Worker Visas

If you want to come to the UK to work, you'll need a skilled worker visa. The good news is that the process is relatively straightforward, as long as you have all the required documentation. Here's what you need to do

1) Complete the online application form.
2) Collect your passport and evidence of identity from your home country.
3) Provide documents that prove your qualifications in your chosen field.
4) Provide evidence of qualifications in the English language if it is not your first language.
5) Arrange to attend an interview at the British Embassy or Consulate near where you live in person (there are few exceptions).
6) Collect your passport and evidence of identity from your home country.
7) Provide documents that prove your qualifications in your chosen field.
8) Provide evidence of qualifications in the English language if it is not your first language.
Business Visas

There are many types of business visas available for foreigners who want to come to the UK to work. The most common type of visa is the Tier 2 (General) visa, which allows skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to come and work in the UK. To be eligible for this visa, you must have an offer of employment from a licensed sponsor and meet the other eligibility criteria.

Spouse Visas

If you're married to a British citizen or someone with settled status in the UK, you may be eligible for a spouse visa. The process can be complicated, but it's worth it if it means being able to live and work in the UK with your partner. Here's what you need to know about getting a spouse visa. A spouse visa is granted under specific circumstances:

-You are an EU national and have been living outside of the EU for less than 3 years;
-You are not an EU national, but have had indefinite leave to remain in the UK for more than 1 year;
-Your sponsor is a British citizen;
-You've been married less than two years.
Temporary Entry (Tourist)

If you want to come to the United Kingdom (UK) to visit, study or work, you'll need to apply for a visa. The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose and duration of your stay. You may be able to get your work visa from inside the UK if you're from one of these countries: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, and Singapore.

Permanent Residence (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or Permanent Residence Card (CER)

Permanent residence status, also known as indefinite leave to remain (ILR), gives you the right to live and work in the UK without any time limit. You can apply for permanent residence status after you’ve lived in the UK for a certain number of years, depending on your visa category. If you have permanent residence status, you can usually apply for British citizenship after living in the UK for 12 months.

You must apply online.

How you apply depends on whether you’re:

• outside the UK and are coming to the UK
• inside the UK and extending your current visa
• inside the UK and switching from a different visa
• If you want to change your job or employer, you must apply to update your visa.
• You can include your partner and children in your application to stay in the UK if they are eligible.

How long does it take:

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity, and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

• 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
• 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

It’s currently taking 4 weeks on average to get a decision on Skilled Worker visas when you apply from outside the UK. Find out visa decision waiting times.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.

How much does it cost?

Get all you need;

You, your partner, or your children will each need to:

pay the application fee
pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay
prove you have enough personal savings
Check how much money you’ll need.

If you work in public sector healthcare
If you’re a doctor or nurse, or you work in health or adult social care, check if you’re eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead. It’s cheaper to apply for and you do not need to pay the annual immigration health surcharge.

What you can and cannot do
With a Skilled Worker visa you can:

Work in an eligible job

Get all you need to know Today;

Study:

Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
take on additional work in certain circumstances
do voluntary work
travel abroad and return to the UK
apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements

You cannot:

apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
change jobs or employers unless you apply to update your visa
If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Skilled Worker visa.

Final Thought

If you're looking to move to the UK for work, you'll need to obtain a work visa. The process can seem daunting, but we've got you covered with this step-by-step guide on how to get a UK-to-work visa for foreigners. Just be sure to start the process early, as it can take some time. Additionally, you'll want to stay up-to-date on any changes in visa policies and requirements. For more information about visas in general, check out our blog post here.