Insights into UK Work Visas for 2023

By Sanwar Ali:

Artificial Intelligence

We will be providing suggested prompts for AI (artificial intelligence) systems on a trial basis. At the time of writing we would suggest Google Bard, Claude 2, and ChatGPT4. Claude 2 is officially only available in the UK and the USA. It has the advantage over ChatGPT4 that you can put in external links for it to look at, and you can upload attachments. It is likely you will need to pay for ChatGPT4. ChatGPT3.5 remains free.

Chat Prompt Suggestion by Bard:

Please provide a comprehensive overview of the current types of work visas available in the UK as of 2023, including the following information:

• The name of each visa type
• The purpose of each visa type
• The eligibility requirements for each visa type
• The application process for each visa type
• Any other relevant information

Please ensure that your response is comprehensive and up-to-date, and that it includes all of the relevant types of work visas available in the UK as of 2023.

Additional notes:

• You may want to include a table in your response to summarize the key information for each visa type.
• You may also want to include links to the relevant government websites for more information on each visa type.

This technology is still quite new and some answers may be unreliable. These are the issues we have found:

1. Bard made some mistakes. Overall did the best.

2. Claude 2 has some out of date information.

3. ChatGPT4 is out of date as it was last updated in January 2022.

Introduction

The United Kingdom, attracts hundreds of thousands of overseas workers each year on work visas. Many overseas workers require some form of a work visa frequently requiring an UK employer with a sponsor licence. The UK employs a points-based system for immigration, making certain types of visas more accessible to skilled workers, entrepreneurs, investors, and specific schemes designed to attract certain profiles of workers. This comprehensive guide aims to provide detailed information on the various types of UK work visas, their eligibility requirements, costs, and procedures.

Types of UK Work Visas

In the sections to follow, we will discuss various types of work visas that the UK offers. For each visa type, we will provide information on the target audience, validity, eligibility requirements, costs involved, and the possibility for settlement.

Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker Visa is a sponsored UK work visa aimed at migrant workers intending to work in a specific job within an eligible skilled occupation for a Home Office-approved employer. This visa provides an opportunity to work in the UK for up to 5 years. To qualify, applicants require a job offer from a UK licensed sponsor that meets the minimum salary and skill requirements. The UK visa cost ranges from £625 to £1423, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge and in many cases the immigration skills charge.

Global Business Mobility Visa

The Global Business Mobility Visa is designed for workers with specific expertise. This visa does not lead to settlement, but allows workers to be deployed to the UK to support specific projects or commercial needs. There are five sub-categories under this route: Senior or Specialist worker visa, Graduate Trainee visa, UK Expansion Worker visa, Service Suppliers visa, and Secondment Workers visa.

Health and Care Worker Visa

The Health and Care Worker Visa is designed for overseas medical professionals to work in an eligible job role with the NHS or NHS supplier, or within the adult social care sector. The application fee is either £232 or £464, depending on the length of stay, and applicants are exempt from the healthcare surcharge.

Graduate Visa

The Graduate Visa is an unsponsored UK work visa designed for overseas students who have been awarded their degree to stay on in the UK to work for at least 2 years. The cost of applying for this visa is £700, plus the healthcare surcharge.

High Potential Individual Route

The High Potential Individual Route is aimed at attracting international graduates to the UK. It allows international graduates from certain high calibre, overseas universities to come to the UK without a job offer or a UK degree, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent Visa is an unsponsored UK work visa designed for leaders or potential leaders in the fields of academia, research, arts and culture, or digital technology. The cost of applying for this visa is £608, plus the healthcare surcharge.

Innovator Founder Visa

The Innovator Founder Visa is for entrepreneurs with a unique business idea approved by an endorsing body, who can dedicate their time to their business venture.

Temporary Worker Visas

In addition to the various unsponsored and long-term sponsored work routes, there are also a number of short-term sponsored UK work visa routes. These include Creative Worker visa, Charity Worker visa, Religious Worker visa, Government Authorised Exchange Worker visa, International Agreement Worker visa, and the Seasonal Worker visa.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you get a work visa for the UK?

To get a UK work visa, you will need to apply online, pay the application fee and the healthcare surcharge, and submit your supporting documents. You may also need to attend an appointment to give your biometric information.

Is it difficult to get a UK work visa?

Some UK work visas are more difficult to obtain than others, with different route-specific requirements. In many cases, the applicant will need to have the offer of a job meeting minimum skill and salary requirements from a licensed sponsor. In many cases the most difficult part of the process is finding a job with an employer who is able and willing to sponsor you.

How much money is required for a work visa in the UK?

There is the visa application fee that varies depending on the the type of application. Applicants may also need to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge. Unless the employer certifies maintenance the applicant may need to have a certain level of funds in their bank account.

Can I apply for a UK work visa without a job offer?

In most cases you will need a job offer from an employer with a sponsor licence. There are a number of UK work visas which do not require a job offer from a UK licensed sponsor, including the High Potential Individual Visa, the Graduate Route and Global Talent Visas, although various other route-specific requirements must still be met.

Conclusion

The UK offers a variety of work visas catering to different needs and circumstances. It's important to carefully consider the most suitable category based on personal circumstances, eligibility, and long-term goals. Much of the time a job offer from an employer with a sponsor licence is required.

How Workpermit.com Can Help with Sponsor Licences

If you need help with employing Skilled Workers and help to apply for a Sponsor Licence, including complying with your Sponsor Licence obligations, HR responsibilities, etc Workpermit.com can help.

For more information and advice, please contact us at 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com(link sends e-mail)