UK: Visa options and requirements

The UK offers a variety of visa options for both individuals and employers looking to hire international talent. Understanding these options helps in making informed decisions about hiring and relocation. This guide provides an overview of the main visa types in the UK and their requirements.

Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker visa allows professionals to work in the UK for an approved employer. It lasts up to 5 years and can be extended indefinitely as long as eligibility requirements are met.
Partners and children of the applicant can also apply to join them or stay in the UK as “dependants” if they’re eligible. 

After 5 years, holders can apply for permanent settlement (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’). This permanent settlement grants the right to live, work and study in the country indefinitely, and apply for benefits if eligible.

Requirements:

- Employment with a UK Home Office-approved employer.
- Certificate of sponsorship from the employer.
- Job in an eligible occupation.
- Minimum salary requirements (depending on job type).
- English language proficiency (B1 CEFR).

Skilled Worker Visa holders can: 

‍- work in an eligible job
- study
- bring a partner and children as ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
- take on additional work in certain circumstances
- do voluntary work
- travel abroad and return to the UK

Applications can be submitted up to 3 months before the intended start date, and decisions are typically made within 3 weeks for applicants outside the UK. 

Health and Care Worker Visa

The Health and Care Worker visa allows medical professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care. It lasts for up to 5 years with the option to extend.

Requirements:

- Qualified doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care professional.
- Employment in an eligible health or social care job.
- UK Home Office-approved employer.
- Certificate of sponsorship.
- Minimum salary requirements.
- English language proficiency (B1 CEFR).

Similarly to the Skilled Worker Visa, after 5 years, holders can apply for permanent settlement. Applications can be submitted up to 3 months before the intended start date, and decisions are typically made within 3 weeks for applicants outside the UK. 

Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

Replacing the Intra-company Transfer visa, this visa is for employees of multinational companies transferred to their UK branch. The stay is typically up to 5 years, with extensions allowed under certain conditions.

Requirements:

- Employment with a Home Office-approved sponsor.
- Certificate of sponsorship.
- Job in an eligible occupation.
- Minimum salary of £48,500 per year.
- English language proficiency (B1 CEFR).

A Senior or Specialist Worker visa allows a stay in the UK for whichever is shorter: the time given on the certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days or 5 years. Extensions or reapplications are possible up to a maximum total stay of 5 years in any 6-year period if earning less than £73,900 a year, or 9 years in any 10-year period if earning £73,900 or more.

This visa allows working for the sponsor, studying, volunteering, bringing dependants, and traveling abroad and returning to the UKs.

Applications can be submitted up to 3 months before the start date, with decisions typically made within 3 weeks for applicants outside the UK. 

Business Visit - Standard Visitor Visa

This visa is for business visits up to 6 months, covering activities like attending meetings, conferences, and training.

Permitted Activities:

- Attend interviews, meetings, conferences, and seminars.
- Negotiate and sign deals.
- Promote business at trade fairs.
- Get work-related training.
- Give certain types of paid and unpaid talks.
- Conduct site visits and inspections.

Applications can be made online up to 3 months before travel. Decisions are typically made within 3 weeks, although expedited options may be available depending on the applicant's location.

India Young Professionals Scheme Visa

This visa allows Indian citizens aged 18-30 to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.
To apply for this visa, applicants need to enter the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot and be one of the selected entries.

Requirements:

- Indian citizenship.
- Age 18-30.
- Eligible qualification.
- £2,530 in savings.

After the visa application, identity and documents check, a decision is typically made within 3 weeks.

Indefinite Leave to Remain

Indefinite leave to remain, also called ‘settlement’, gives the right to live, work and study in the UK indefinitely, as well as to apply for benefits if eligible. It can be used to apply for British citizenship.

There are different ways to apply for indefinite leave to remain:

If Working in the UK

An individual may be able to apply if they’re holding a work visa. Typically, five years of living and working in the UK is required, but this period can be shortened to 2 or 3 years depending on the person’s visa. Meeting salary or financial requirements may also be necessary, depending on the visa.

The application process varies based on whether the person has a:

- Tier 2, T2, International Sportsperson, or Skilled Worker visa
- Scale-up Worker visa
- Global Talent, Tier 1 Entrepreneur, or Investor visa
- Innovator Founder visa
- Representing an overseas business
- Turkish Worker or Businessperson visa
- Private servant in a diplomatic household with an International Agreement visa, or a domestic worker

If Having Family in the UK

An individual may apply if they have a partner, parent, child, or other relative settled in the UK as a British citizen or someone with indefinite leave to remain. The application process depends on the visa type and how the family member settled.

Other ways to apply include:

- If the partner has died
- If the relationship ended due to domestic violence

If Living in the UK for 10 Years

An individual may apply if they have been living in the UK for 10 years or more (conditions apply). 

If a Commonwealth Citizen

An individual can apply if they have lived in the UK for 5 years on a UK Ancestry visa. Some Commonwealth citizens have the 'right of abode' in the UK, meaning they can live or work without immigration restrictions.

Scale-up Worker Visa

A Scale-up Worker visa allows professionals to immigrate to the UK to do an eligible job for a fast-growing UK business (or a ‘scale-up business’). The UK employer must meet specific eligibility criteria to sponsor scale-up workers. 

This visa allows for a stay of up to 2 years with the possibility of unlimited 3 year extensions (as long as the requirements are met) and permanent settlement after 5 years.

Requirements:

- Job offer from an approved scale-up business.
- Certificate of sponsorship.
- Eligible occupation.
- Minimum salary requirements.
- English language proficiency (B1 CEFR).

Applications can be submitted up to 3 months before the start date, with decisions typically made within 3 weeks for applicants outside the UK and 8 weeks for those inside the UK.

Graduate Visa

A Graduate visa allows international students to stay in the UK for 2 years (3 years for PhD holders) after successfully completing a course in the country. This visa is not extendable.

Requirements:

- Current Student or Tier 4 visa holder.
- Completed a UK bachelor’s or higher degree.
- Confirmation of course completion by the education provider.

Applications must be submitted before the current visa expires. Decisions are usually made within 8 weeks.

Other Visas

Additional visa options include:

- Youth Mobility Scheme visa
- Global Talent visa
- British National (Overseas) visa
- UK Ancestry visa
- High Potential Individual (HPI) visa
- Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)
- Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- International Agreement visa (Temporary Work)

The UK offers multiple visa options to meet the needs of employers and attract skilled professionals, healthcare workers, and young talents from around the world. Being familiar with these options and knowing how to navigate changes in regulations guarantees employers access to the best international talent.

This blog post is intended for informational purposes only. The appropriate visa or permit for an individual will be determined based on their specific circumstances and eligibility criteria. 

Jobbatical provides expert assistance and end-to-end support with visa applications and relocation in the UK. Our team handles all the details, ensuring a smooth transition for both employers and employees. Learn more about our services and how we can assist with your relocation needs here.