Visa Types Required to Work in the UK as Foreigner

Visa Types Required to Work in the UK, are up.

Visa Types Required to Work in the UK

You can live and work in the UK with the following:

• The Tier 1 (Highly Skilled Worker) visa
• Tier 2 (General) visa
• Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa, and
• The Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

The Tier 1(Highly Skilled) UK Visa

The Tier 1 (Highly Skilled Worker) visa is a type of visa that allows highly skilled individuals to live and work for up to 5 years. Extendable for an additional five years.

It was a no-job-offer entry visa, but that feature was removed in 2016.

After five years on the visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which allows you to stay in the UK permanently

Benefits

The Tier 1 visa offers several advantages. You can work for any employer in the UK and bring family members with you. With the ability to apply for permanent residency in the UK after five years

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Tier 1 visa, you must score enough points in the UK Points-Based System. Points are awarded based on factors such as your age, education, work experience, English language skills, and funds available for maintenance.

Application

Apply for a Tier 1 visa online through the UK government’s Visa and Immigration website.

You’ll be required to provide personal information, documentation of your qualifications and experience, and evidence of funds available for maintenance

Tier 2 (General) UK Visa

The Tier 2 (General) visa is a UK work visa that allows skilled workers outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to work in the UK for a UK-based employer who has been issued a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Benefits

Tier 2 (General) visa can be valid for up to 5 years and 14 days or the time given on the Certificate of Sponsorship, whichever is shorter. 

You can apply to extend your visa as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. You may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settlement. 

Spouses and partners with children under 18 are welcome as Tier 2 (General) visas dependents. However, you have to prove that you’re buoyant enough.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Tier 2 (General) visa, you must have a job offer from a UK employer. Such an employer must have a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Also, the job must be at a skill level equivalent to National Qualifications 

Framework (NQF) Level 6 or above. 

You must also score enough points under the points-based system. It includes points for having a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, meeting the English language requirements, and meeting the maintenance requirements.

Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) UK Visa

A Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa is a UK work visa that allows foreigners to come to the UK for a temporary period to work or perform other non-economic activities such as volunteering, charity work, or sports-related activities. Valid for 1 or 2 years.

Categories: Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa

There are five different categories under the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa:

• Creative and Sporting: for individuals coming to the UK to work as sportspeople, entertainers, or creative artists.
• Charity Worker: individuals coming to the UK to do voluntary work for a charity.
• Religious Worker: for individuals coming to the UK to work as religious workers.
• Government Authorized Exchange: for individuals coming to the UK to undertake work experience, training, research, or a fellowship through an approved government-authorized exchange scheme.
• International Agreement: for individuals coming to the UK under international law, such as diplomatic staff, or under a reciprocal agreement between the UK and another country.

Benefits

If you apply under the Creative and Sporting or Government Authorized Exchange categories, you can bring your family on a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visaCreative and Sporting or Government Authorized Exchange categories. However, if you are applying under any other category, you cannot bring dependents with you.

Eligibility

The eligibility requirements for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa depend on the specific category you are applying under.

However, you must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK-based employer or organization, meet the English language requirements, and meet the maintenance requirements.

The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) UK Visa

The YMS visa is a UK work visa that allows individuals aged 18-30 from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea, or Taiwan to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa restrictions, include:

• You cannot extend your stay in the UK beyond the 2-year limit.
• You cannot switch to another visa category while you are in the UK on a YMS visa.
• You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or coach.
• You cannot work as a doctor or dentist in training.
• You cannot access public funds.
• You cannot bring your family or dependents with you on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you must:

• Be a citizen of a participating country (Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, or Taiwan).
• Be aged between 18-30 at the time of application.
• Have £2,530 in savings in your bank account.
• Not have any dependent children.
• Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your home country’s government (except for citizens of Hong Kong and the Republic of Korea).

Visa Types Required to Work in the UK FAQS

#1. How do I know which visa to apply for?

The work access you should apply for will depend on your circumstances, including your job offer, qualifications, and work experience. You can use the UK government’s Visa and Immigration website to determine which visa is right for you.

#2. Can I work in the UK without a visa?

In most cases, you will need a visa to work in the UK as a foreigner. However, there are some exceptions for certain types of work and specific nationalities. It’s best to check with UK immigration authorities to determine your eligibility.

Conclusion

Protip: Check the sites provided on each Visa for the whole information. What you have here is a summary of the main thing.

The type of UK work visa you should apply for depends on your circumstances and the type of work you will be doing in the UK. Good luck.