Work Permit in the United Kingdom

Why Are Work Permits Needed?

A work permit is an official document that validates an individual’s right to reside and work in
a foreign country.

The UK is among the most desirable countries for foreigners, but one cannot just move to
the country and start working. A work permit in the UK is mandatory to work here legally.

About the UK Job Market

England is one of the most popular destinations in the world for expats. Other than tourism
and educational opportunities, a lot of people look forward to migrating to the UK for
employment. The flexible labor laws, high-paying salaries, and market-oriented economy
make it an ideal country where people can work.

The country has a lot of opportunities, especially for skilled workers in multiple sectors such
as wholesale and retail, healthcare, administration, and scientific fields.

Let us understand few essential things about the UK job market:

Number of Expats: 6.5 million (Figures subject to change)

Expat Job Websites: EURES, Careerbuilder, FindAJob, Totaljobs

Popular Industries for Expats in the UK: Engineering, Hospitality, Healthcare, IT,
Science and Technology, Marketing

Types of UK Work Visa

The United Kingdom’s immigration is based on a points-based system (PBS). An applicant
has to apply for one of the five tiers based on the desire to work, study, invest or undergo
training in the country.

A UK work visa is broadly classified under several types of short-term work visas, Long-term
work visas, and Investor, Business development and Talent visas.

Different categories of UK work visas are divided under these tiers:

Tier 1: These work visas are for highly skilled workers, entrepreneurs, investors and
graduate students living outside the EU and EEA. These applicants do not necessarily need
to have a job offer to apply for this visa.
The different types of UK work visas under this category include:

- Innovator Visa: This visa is meant for foreigners who want to set up their own
business in the UK.
- UK Start-up Visa: This visa is for foreigners authorized by government bodies to
start their own business in the country.
- UK Graduate Entrepreneur Visa: Graduates who have been endorsed of having
credible business ideas can apply for this visa.
- UK Investor Visa: This UK work visa is specifically for investors who want to invest
£2,000,000 or more in the country.

Tier 2: If you want to hire foreign employees, they will majorly fall under this category of the
PBS. Skilled workers and professional sportspeople outside the EEA can apply for visas
within the Tier 2 category. These are long-term work visas for which employees need to have
an initial job offer in hand.

The different types of UK work visas under Tier 2 are:

- Skilled Worker Visa: This general work visa or skilled worker visa UK is for those
who have a job offer from an employer approved by the Home Office.
- Intra-company Transfer Visa: This visa is for employees who have been offered a
role in the UK branch of their organization.
- Minister of Religion Visa: This visa is issued to people who have been offered a job
in the UK within a faith community (missionary or member of religious order)
- Sportsperson visa: This visa is applicable for an elite sportsperson or qualified
coach recognized by the sport’s governing body for being at the highest level of their
profession internationally.

Tier 3: These visas are meant for low-skilled workers for temporary labor. However, the
government does not accept immigrants outside the EU for this category, so these visas are
no longer available.

Tier 4: This category includes students who wish to study at a school, college, or university
in the UK.

Tier 5: This category is applicable for temporary workers and young people who wish to
work in the UK on working holidays. The sub-categories of UK work visas under this tier are:

- Charity worker visa: This visa is issued to those who want to do unpaid voluntary
work in the country. The charity organization has to be recognized by the
government.
- Creative and Sporting Visa: This visa is issued to people who have been offered
work as a sportsperson or creative worker in the country.
- Government Authorized Exchange Visa: Those coming to the UK for training or
overseas Government Language Program, research fellowship through an approved
government authorized exchange scheme, or to gain some work experience come
under this work permit UK.
 - International Agreement Visa: People who work for a foreign government or a
private servant in a diplomatic household in the country should apply for this UK work
visa.
- Seasonal Worker Visa: Applicants under this UK work visa can travel to the UK to
do farm work for up to 6 months.
- UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa: This is a special visa issued to people between
the age of 18-30 who have certain types of British Nationality or are from certain
countries.

Besides these, there are other UK visas that allow certain people to seek a work permit in
the UK, such as:

Ancestry Visa: A commonwealth citizen who can prove their grandparents were born in the
UK is eligible to work in the UK under this visa.

Requirements for UK Work Permit

Given that there are so many types and categories of work visas in the UK, the list of
requirements also varies.

Most of your employees to whom your company has offered a job will fall under the Tier 2
long-term visas. The skilled worker visa UK is the most common for hiring foreign employees
outside the EEA and Switzerland.

To apply for a UK work visa, the employer must be a licensed sponsor for the employees.
This Certificate of Sponsorship is necessary for your employee to apply for their work permit.

Given below is the UK work permit document checklist:

● Application form
● Recent color photographs
● Valid passport
● Signed employment contract
● Certificate of Sponsorship
● Financial documents as proof to cover the cost of living in the UK
● Proof of accommodation
● Detailed travel itinerary
● Certificate of character determining no criminal record against the employee
● Biometric information
● Payment receipt of UK Visa fees

UK Work Visa Application Process

The process of getting a work visa in the UK starts with the employer. So, you have to issue
the letter and sponsorship certificate first.
The process for your employee gets lengthier because of the points-based assessment. An
applicant has to get a certain number of points based on the requirements for each tier.
Additionally, the PBS requirements and evaluations change for each tier.

The PBS evaluation is based on the following factors:

- Qualifications
- Future salary expectations
- Sponsorship certificate
- English speaking skills
- Financial means
Note: A UK work visa for Indians requires a score of 70 points.

So, ensure your employees have the required documents at the time of making the
application.

● Once you issue the employment contract and sponsorship letter, they can begin the
application process.
● The applications can be made online through the official website of UK Home Office
Visas and Immigration Services.
● Submit the forms and the required documents.
● Pay the UK work visa fees
● Wait for the processing of the UK work visa.

Timeframe for UK Work Visa Processing

Your employees should apply for a UK work visa about three months prior to beginning their
work. This date is listed on the certificate of sponsorship. The visa processing can take up to
three weeks, so it is better to start the application early. Since the PBS evaluations change
for each visa type, it takes a little longer for processing.

UK Work Visa Fees

The below table gives all the costs of UK work visas:

Visa Type Fees (In US$)

Innovator Visa $1382

Start-Up Visa $491

Graduate Entrepreneur $491

Investor Visa $2198

Skilled Worker Visa $1256

Intra-Company Transfer Visa $826

 Minister of Religion $826

Tier-5 Temporary Worker $330.5

How Does Multiplier Help With Work Permits?

As a global EOR solution, Multiplier helps organizations onboard and manage employees
across the globe. With a local presence in over 150 countries, we efficiently provide
end-to-end HR solutions.

Getting a work visa in the UK seems tedious, so you can partner with Multiplier to ease the
process. Let our team of in-house experts take care of the rest. You can apply for a UK work
visa via our SaaS-based system. From documentation to costs, we will keep you informed at
all points from the beginning to the end.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the validity of a UK work visa?

A Skilled worker visa UK lasts for five years. This is a long-term visa. In contrast, the
short-term work visas are valid for one year.

Do Romanians need a visa to work in the UK?

Yes, Romanians are required to apply for a visa to work in the UK under the points-based
immigration system.

How can I apply for permanent residency in the UK?

A holder of a work permit in the UK can qualify for permanent residency after spending a
minimum of five years in the country.

Can I work in the UK on a student visa?

A student can work in the UK if they have a Tier 4 student visa. One cannot work on a
short-term study visa. However, working for up to 10 hours per week during term time and
full-time during vacations is possible.

To work after completing graduation, students need a post-study work visa in the UK.

Do EU citizens need a work permit in the UK?

Starting 1 July 2021, EU passport holders have to prove evidence of lawful immigration
status in the UK. In addition, EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens wanting to work in the UK for longer
than six months need to apply for a work visa. So a UK permit for EU citizens is necessary to
undertake long-term work in the country.