British work visa
11 Oct 2023

In the UK, you can enjoy a high and safe quality of life, with excellent medical services and effective government support. There is also a competitive and balanced job market that offers ample opportunities. Besides, you can benefit from a modern and completely free education system. These benefits come with prestigious international universities with a long history of excellence. Therefore, it is no wonder that the UK is becoming an attractive destination for job seekers at this time.
British visa for work
UK immigration laws stress that foreign individuals cannot enter to work without a contract with a UK company sponsoring it. Even if your profession is on the required occupational list, you will need an invitation from a British employer to obtain permission to enter Britain. Different types of work visas are issued in Britain.
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Learn about the best tourist places in Britain.
Types of work visas in Britain
The types of work visas in the United Kingdom vary according to the Points-Based System adopted in the British immigration system. Here are some common types of UK work visas:
- Skilled Worker Visa: Allows qualified and skilled individuals to work in the United Kingdom after obtaining a confirmed job offer from a British company.
- Investor Visa: Allows individuals who want to invest in the United Kingdom and meet specific financial requirements to obtain long-term residency and work in certain professional activities.
- Sponsorship Visa: Allows individuals to work in the United Kingdom with an employer who is licensed as a sponsor by the British Immigration Service.
- Start-up Visa: Allows entrepreneurs to open and work in their own company in the United Kingdom.
- Self-Employed Visa: Allows individuals wishing to work as independent workers or in the field of crafts to work in the United Kingdom.
There are different levels of work visas, and the requirements and conditions differ for each type. Visa categories include the following levels:
Level 1: For highly skilled workers, investors, professional athletes and postgraduate students living outside the EU and EEA. These candidates do not need a job offer to apply.
Tier 2: Includes skilled workers, professional athletes and clergy outside the European Economic Area who receive a job offer. (The Skilled Worker visa has recently been replaced by the Tier 2 visa).
Tier 3: Tier 3 visas were intended for low-skilled workers to fill temporary jobs, but these visas have been cancelled.
Level 5: This category has 6 sub-levels for temporary workers in creative and sporting fields, charities, religious workers and young people working in the UK.
Documents required to obtain a British work visa
Requirements for a UK work visa vary depending on the visa type and category. All applicants for a general work visa must have a licensed employer or sponsor. UK immigration policy means that requirements and assessments change based on each category, and some categories may include additional requirements.
The required paperwork usually includes:
- Application form.
- Two (2) color photographs taken within the past six months.
- A valid passport.
- Evidence of sufficient financial means to cover the costs of living in the UK.
- Biometric data.
- If the individual will be staying with a friend or family member in the UK, they may need a letter of invitation to obtain a visa.
- Pay visa fees.
- Certified translation of any document into English.
- Fill out the form.
A UK visa application must usually be submitted three months before your start date. It can take up to three weeks to process your visa application, so it is important to apply well in advance at an application center or online via the UK Home Office Visas and Immigration Services website.
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Learn about the best tourist places in Britain.
How can I get a work visa in the UK?
The process of obtaining a work visa in the United Kingdom requires significant time and preparation, so you must ensure that you meet all the necessary requirements and conditions. Here are some points you should keep in mind:
- You must obtain a confirmed job offer before applying for your visa.
- You must be an employee of an employer based in the UK who has been approved by the Home Office.
- You must obtain a sponsorship certificate from your employer.
- You should receive the minimum wage required for the job you will be doing.
- Your English level must be at least B1, i.e. you are fluent in English speaking and writing.
- Your job must be listed among the eligible occupations.
Note that this is general information, and there could be additional requirements depending on the type of work visa you are seeking. It is always recommended to speak with a professional immigration lawyer or consultant to ensure compliance with all laws and conditions.
Professions in demand in Britain
The British labor market has been greatly affected by the phenomenon of population aging and the decline in the number of people able to work. This has greatly increased the demand for some professions. Here is the latest list of the most in-demand jobs in the British labor market:
- Programmers and software developers.
- Cyber security specialists.
- Health and residential care providers and laboratory technicians.
- Architects.
- Graphic designers.
- Physicists.
- Sales assistants.
- Operations managers.
- Business analysts.
- the doctors.
- Dentists.
- Nurses.
- Pharmacists.
- Physiotherapists.
- Psychiatrists.
- Radiology technicians.
- Speech and language therapists.
- Surgeons.
This list reflects the prevailing needs of the UK labor market and current employment guidance.
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