UK Work Visas

The United Kingdom offers a variety of visas for foreign nationals wishing to visit or immigrate to the UK to find work or undertake employment. To find out more about the UK work visas get in touch with Global visas today by visiting the Global Visas online assessment area.

The Highly Skilled Migrants Programme

The Highly Skilled Migrants Programme (HSMP) is points based assessment system designed to attract the most highly qualified immigrants to the UK. It offers a direct route to Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, and subject to the minimum residency requirements, the opportunity to apply for a grant of UK citizenship. The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme or HSMP visa as it is commonly known reviews candidates in several key areas.

HSMP Visa Benefits

The benefit in obtaining an HSMP, successful applicants do not need a job offer from a UK company to apply. Candidates who meet the minimum pass mark of 75 points may live and work in the UK with no restrictions on their choice of employer or position. Another key benefit is that unlike the group of visas commonly known as ‘UK business visas' the HSMP does not require any investment or the creation of jobs. An HSMP visa for the UK is granted for two years after which it can be extended. After 5 years, HSMP holders may apply for UK citizenship.

The visa also makes provision for spouse immigration and the spouse or partner of a successful applicant may apply for a UK dependency visa. A spouse or partner must cohabit with the main applicant and non married dependents must be able to show that their relationship has been in existence for at least two years.

Applying for an HSMP Visa

The HSMP assesses it applicants on their age, educational qualifications, previous earnings, and work experience. An applicant's age may be worth up to 20 points whilst the two most heavily weighted assessment areas, education and previous earnings, may be worth up to 50 points and 45 points respectively. Applicants who want to relocate to the UK in order to seek employment as doctors and dentists will be awarded extra points and holders of MBA qualifications will automatically reach the 75 point minimum, or 'quota'.

In addition to the key areas of the point's assessment, the HSMP also requires candidates to be proficient in English and to intend to make the United Kingdom their main home. Applicants must be able to support themselves financially without public funding and will not be eligible if they have been bankrupt at any time.

UK Work Permits

Unlike the HSMP, applying for a UK work permit is based on obtaining a ob offer, which involves a UK employer applying on behalf of a potential foreign national employee. It is important that a firm offer of employment is obtained from a UK company before an application is submitted.

UK work permits are designed to help UK businesses bring foreign national workers to the UK to fill positions which cannot be filled by a resident UK permanent resident or UK citizen. Unlike the HSMP, they do not offer the right to begin living and working in the UK per se and are valid only for the sponsoring organisation in the position specified. Any change of employer or post will require a new application to be made.

Benefits of a UK Work permit

A work permit may be valid for between one day and five years and although they are not specifically intended as a route to permanent settled status in the UK, after 5 years of holding the same permit, a applicant may apply for Further Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR). As a result, like the HSMP, work permits allow the spouse, fiancé or long term partner of a candidate to join them in the UK through a UK dependency visa.

Applying for a UK Work Permit

The prearranged offer of employment must be at or above NVQ level 3 and candidates must possess a degree or equivalent, a relevant HND or a non-relevant HND plus a minimum of one years experience in a similar post. Alternatively a candidate may qualify based on 3 years of relevant work experience.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers wishing to bring a foreign national to work in the UK must show that they have advertised the position for at least 28 days within the EU work force and been unsuccessful in finding a suitable candidate. However, where positions are deemed to be in a shortage occupation this requirement will be waived.

Applying for an Intra Company Transfer

Advertising a position is also unnecessary where an employer is bringing a foreign national to the UK on an Intra Company Transfer visa or ICT. ICTs are a specific form of work permit which allow a UK company to transfer an employee from an overseas branch or subsidiary for an agreed period. Candidates must have been working for the company for a minimum of six months and must have specific and relevant knowledge of the company's products or services. An ICT may be valid for up to 5 years however; this particular class of work permit will not lead to the opportunity to apply for permanent residency and the spouse or partner of an applicant may relocate to the UK with them, however, like the principle applicant, they will need to return to their country of residence when the permit expires.

The Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme

In the UK several categories of visa also exist which permit non UK nationals to come to Great Britain in order to undergo work experience and training.

The Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme allows foreign nationals graduating from Scottish universities to live and work in Scotland for a further two years by finding a position of employment or by starting a business. Although the scheme does not lead to permanent residency, it does permit candidates to switch into a UK business visa category or obtain a work permit, which may in time lead to the opportunity to apply for indefinite leave to remain. In order to qualify for this scheme a candidate must have graduated from a Scottish educational institution and must be able to support him or herself throughout the time spent on the Fresh Talent Scheme.

The Training and Work Experience Scheme

The Training and Work Experience scheme (TWES) offers non EU nationals the opportunity to train in the UK in a position which involves 30 hours per week or more, with a view to applying their learning in their own country of residence. The TWES allows foreign nationals to benefit from on the job training in the UK which is unavailable in their own country and requires a sponsoring company to be in place. A TWES visa can be issued for up to 2 years however it will not lead to permanent residency and candidates will be obliged to leave the UK at the end of their training. Positions must be at or above NVQ level 3 and candidates must have a degree or a combination of qualifications and experience.

UK Working Holiday Visas

Working Holiday Visas are available to foreign nationals aged between 17 and 30 and allow a candidate to live and work in the UK for a period of up to two years. However, working holidays do not lead to permanent residency in the UK, and to emphasise the temporary nature of a working holiday visa, the employment part of a working holiday should not be the overriding reason for the trip. Candidates may work for no more then 12 months of the 2 year overall duration.

Visit our online assessment at Global Visas area now to begin your application. Just take a moment to complete one of our quick and easy assessment forms and a consultant will contact you.