Getting a work visa or permit for the UK usually requires a job offer from an employer with a sponsorship license. There are exceptions, like the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa and the Graduate visa, as outlined below. Since Brexit, EU nationals who want to work in the UK also need a work visa or permit.
However, EU nationals with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme don’t need a visa to work in the UK.
There are several types of UK Work Permits and work visas available, including:
Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa is a sponsored work visa route that allows skilled foreign nationals to work in the UK, replacing the previous Tier 2 (General) visa. To apply for a Skilled Worker visa, applicants must meet the Home Office’s points-based system (PBS) requirements by:
- Having a job offer from a licensed sponsor
- Holding a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Working in a qualifying occupation
- Meeting the minimum salary requirements (£38,700 or the going rate for your occupation, though lower thresholds may apply in certain cases)
- Meeting the English language requirements
Skilled Worker visa holders are typically granted up to five years of stay, after which they can apply to extend their stay or pursue indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after five years.
Health and Care Worker Visa
The Health and Care Worker visa is similar to the Skilled Worker visa but is specifically for qualified healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and adult social care professionals, who are sponsored to work for a licensed healthcare employer in the UK. Applicants must have a qualified job and meet the category-specific salary requirements.
Scale-up Visa
The Scale-up visa, introduced in August 2022, is for highly skilled or qualified foreign nationals employed by a UK company in the scale-up phase. The visa is expected to have both sponsored and unsponsored options. To qualify, applicants must:
- Possess a high level of skill or be considered academically elite
- Have a job offer from a Scale-up company with a Certificate of Sponsorship
- Earn at least £33,000 annually
- Meet English language requirements
The Scale-up visa can be extended, and holders may be able to settle in the UK (ILR) after five continuous years.
Temporary Worker Visa
Temporary Worker visas allow foreign nationals to work in the UK for a limited duration for specific purposes. There are several types of Temporary Work visas, including:
- Charity Worker visa
- Creative Worker visa
- Government Authorized Exchange visa
- International Agreement visa
- Religious Worker visa
- Seasonal Worker visa
Temporary Worker visas are typically issued for a duration of three months to two years, depending on the specific visa. Applicants must usually be at least 18 years old, have a job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed sponsor, and have sufficient funds to support themselves. While you can extend your Temporary Worker visa, there are maximum stay limits, and it does not directly lead to settlement in the UK. However, you may switch to a different visa type that qualifies for ILR.
Global Business Mobility Visa
The Global Business Mobility visa, launched in 2022, includes five new visas designed to facilitate the operation of foreign businesses in the UK. These visas allow existing employees of foreign firms to work in the UK or, in the case of the expansion worker visa, to establish a new branch or subsidiary. The visas include:
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa (replacing the Intra-Company Transfer Visa)
- Graduate Trainee visa (replacing the Intra-Company Transfer Graduate Visa)
- UK Expansion Worker visa (replacing the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa)
- Secondment Worker visa
- Service Supplier visa
Applicants for the Global Business Mobility visa must have a Certificate of Sponsorship and meet specific criteria for the visa they are applying for. The length of stay allowed under this route varies, with some visas allowing a stay of up to five years. While it is possible to extend the visa within the maximum allowable stay, none of the Global Business Mobility visas directly leads to settlement, though switching to a different visa type that qualifies for ILR is possible.
How to Get a UK Work Permit Without a Job Offer
You can obtain a UK work visa or permit without a job offer by applying for a High Potential Individual visa, Graduate visa, or Global Talent visa. While a job offer isn’t necessary, applicants must meet other criteria to submit a valid application for an unsponsored work visa in the UK.
High Potential Individual Visa
The High Potential Individual (HPI) visa is a new route for foreign nationals with a recent degree-level qualification from a top university listed by the Home Office. HPI visa applicants don’t need a job offer and can seek employment once they arrive. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a degree from an institution on the Global Universities List obtained within the last five years, meet the English language requirements, and have sufficient funds (at least £1,270) to support themselves.
HPI visa holders can typically stay for up to two years (or three years with a PhD), but the option to extend is not available. However, ILR is not possible under this visa. Those wishing to stay longer or settle will need to switch to a different visa type, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
Graduate Visa
The UK Graduate visa is for foreign nationals who have completed a degree or postgraduate course in the UK, allowing them to stay for an additional two years (three years with a PhD). Graduate visa applicants must apply from within the UK, hold an existing or Tier 4 student visa, and have completed a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree in the UK.
Graduate visa holders cannot extend their stay or apply for settlement, but it is possible to switch to a different visa type if they wish to continue staying in the UK.
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent Visa is for foreign nationals recognized as leaders or potential leaders in academia, arts, culture, or digital technology. Applicants must be 18 years or older and have endorsement as a leader or potential leader from an approved endorsing body.
Successful Global Talent visa applicants are usually granted a stay of up to five years, which can be extended further. The Global Talent visa also allows holders to apply for ILR after three or five years. To qualify for fast-track settlement after three years, Global Talent visa holders must have been endorsed by a recognized body such as the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society, UK Research and Innovation, Arts Council England, or Tech Nation.
UK Ancestry Visa
The UK Ancestry visa is intended for Commonwealth citizens and British Overseas citizens or nationals. Applicants must have a grandparent born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. Ancestry visa holders can stay for up to five years, after which they can apply for ILR.
Eligibility criteria for the Ancestry visa require applicants to be at least 17 years old, be a Commonwealth citizen, British Overseas citizen, British Overseas Territories citizen, British national (overseas), or a citizen of Zimbabwe. Applicants must also apply from outside the UK, provide proof that their grandparent was born in the UK or one of the islands, intend to work in the UK, and have sufficient funds to support themselves and any dependents.
Other UK Work Permits
In addition to the above work visas, other immigration categories allow for work, including:
- Frontier Worker Permit
- Dependant family permit
- Overseas Domestic Worker visa
- British National (Overseas) visa
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa
Those looking to work in the UK may also consider applying for a business visa, such as the Innovator visa or Start-up visa, which allow for setting up and running a business in the UK. If you’re unsure which work visa route is best for your needs, how to get a work visa in the UK, or whether you qualify, consult with an immigration lawyer who can provide advice based on your circumstances.
FAQs
Q1: Can I switch from a Temporary Worker visa to a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, you can switch from a Temporary Worker visa to a Skilled Worker visa if you meet the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker visa, including having a job offer from a licensed sponsor and meeting the points-based system requirements.
Q2: What happens if my High Potential Individual visa expires?
Once your High Potential Individual visa expires, you cannot extend it. If you wish to remain in the UK, you must switch to a different visa type that allows for a longer stay or leads to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
Q3: Do I need a job offer for the Global Talent Visa?
No, a job offer is not required for the Global Talent Visa. Instead, you need to be endorsed by an approved body as a leader or potential leader in your field.
