Advancing your career abroad is a great opportunity. With many companies sponsoring U.K. work visas, it’s one of the best destinations to work, train, and study!
If you desire to work in the U.K., you must obtain a U.K. work visa or a work permit. While both prove the holder’s legal right to work in the country, they serve different purposes. Keep reading as we discuss everything the U.K. work visa and U.K. work permit entails.
This article will help guide your decisions on which to go for!
What is a U.K. Work Visa?
The U.K. work visa is a stamp on a passport issued by the consulate or U.K. embassy. Contrary to the work permit, a work visa is given for short-term work commitments, allowing entry or exit from the United Kingdom.
They can also be used as authorization to travel for further training, study, or visit. U.K. work visas permit the user to make a single or multiple entries.
This implies that the visa holder can enter and leave at different times during its validity. Obtaining a work visa notifies that a foreign national has applied and has been thoroughly checked.
What is a U.K. Work Permit?
The U.K. work permit is an actual card issued by the U.K. government. If you desire to work legally in the country for ample time, the work permit is your best shot!
Often, the process begins while the applicant is already in the U.K. A work permit and visa are required for possible employment in the country. Obtaining a work permit can be a hassle because sometimes it involves proof of certified diplomas, work history, proven experience in relevant fields, and more.
Differences Between a U.K. Work Visa and a U.K. Work Permit
The most noteworthy contrast is that you can live and work in the U.K. for up to five years on a Work Visa, whereas a Work Permit will only allow you to take up employment in the U.K. for a maximum of two years.
Here are some other main differences:
- A UK work visa is granted for a particular job, while a Work Permit is not.
- A UK work visa is often issued for a specific time (generally up to five years), while a Work Permit is indefinite.
- You will need an employer to sponsor you for a U.K. work visa, while a work permit does not require a sponsor.
- You must obtain a valid job offer before applying for a U.K. work visa, while a work permit does not necessarily require a job offer.
- With a U.K. work visa, you can apply for permanent residence after five years, while a Work Permit does not.
Can I Obtain a U.K. Work Permit Without a Job Offer?
Yes, that’s right! You can obtain a work permit in the United Kingdom even if you do not have a job offer yet. There are several ways to make this possible, such as applying for a high-potential individual visa, graduate visa, or global talent visa.
Even though a job offer is not needed, applicants must meet other criteria to apply for an unsponsored work visa in the U.K successfully. The process can take several weeks, so start as early as possible.
High Potential Individual Visa
The High Potential Individual visa (H.P.I.) is for foreign nationals with an overseas ‘degree-level’ qualification. H.P.I. visa applicants do not require a job offer and are free to find work once they are in the country.
In addition, they must be 18 years old and possess an overseas degree from an educational institution on the Global Universities List gained five years prior.
They must also meet the English language requirements and possess adequate funds of at least £1,270 to support themselves. Potential Individual visa holders can stay for up to two years (or three years if they have obtained a Ph.D.).
However, there is no option to extend the H.P.I. visa. Receiving I.L.R. as a High Potential Individual visa holder is also impossible. If you wish to stay longer or settle, you must consider changing to a different type of visa, like the Skilled Worker visa.
Graduate Visa
If you are an international student in the U.K. and have completed a degree or post-graduate course, you can stay an additional two or three years with a PhD.
However, these applicants must apply from within the U.K., hold a Tier 4 student visa, and have completed a bachelor’s or post-graduate degree in the U.K.
Graduate visa holders cannot extend their stay or apply for settlement, but they can switch to a different type of visa if they want to continue living in the country.
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent Visa is issued to foreign leaders or potential leaders in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology. These applicants must be 18 or older and be approved as a leader or potential leader from an appropriate body.
After receiving a successful Global Talent visa application, you can live for up to 5 years, which can be extended further. The Global Talent visa allows holders to apply for permanent settlement (I.L.R.) after 3 or 5 years.
Therefore, to qualify for fast-track settlement after three years, Global Talent visa holders must have been endorsed by the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society, U.K. Research and Innovation, Arts Council England, or Tech Nation.
U.K. Ancestry Visa
The U.K. Ancestry visa is intended for Commonwealth and British Overseas citizens and nationals. Applicants must have a grandparent born in the U.K.
Ancestry visa holders can stay for up to 5 years, after which they can apply for I.L.R. The Ancestry visa’s eligibility criteria require applicants to be 17 years or older.
They must also be a commonwealth citizen, a British overseas citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British national (overseas), or a citizen of Zimbabwe. Applicants must submit their application from outside the U.K.
In addition, they must demonstrate that their grandparent was born in the U.K., the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. They must intend to work in the country and be financially strong enough to support themselves and their dependents.
Documents Required For U.K. Work Visa
If you want to apply for a U.K. work visa, you must provide several documents as part of your application, including:
- A valid passport
- Two passport photographs
- A completed application form
- A letter from your employer confirming your job offer and details of your salary
- Evidence that you have the required skills and qualifications for the job
- A criminal record certificate from your home country
- A medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner
- Proof of your financial status (bank statements or payslips)
Documents Required For U.K. Work Permit
You must have a valid job offer from a U.K. employer to apply for a U.K. work permit. You will also need to meet the following requirements:
- You must be aged 18 or over.
- You must have the required skills for the job.
- You must be able to speak English to a certain level.
- You must have enough money to support yourself during your stay in the U.K.
- You must have comprehensive health insurance.
- You must have a valid passport.
After all these required documents, you can easily apply for a work permit online.
So, Which is Right For Me?
To determine which work visa or work permit to apply for will depend on your circumstances. If you have a precise, valid job offer from a U.K. employer, you must apply for a U.K. work visa.
But, if you intend to enter the U.K. and start searching for work, you must apply for a U.K. work permit. A UK work visa is the best option if you need the flexibility to change jobs or bring your family to the country.
A work permit is better if you want to live and work in the U.K. indefinitely. Meanwhile, navigating the processes involved can be demanding, but with the correct information and guidance, you’ll have the best chance of obtaining the required solution to work abroad.