Sanwar Ali: UK work visa options review

By Sanwar Ali:

Entry to the UK can be difficult.  Probably you will need to be a skilled worker sponsored by an employer with a sponsor licence.   This can be an expensive and complicated process.  We are looking below at options for various categories of worker to the UK:

Skilled worker for someone with good English

The option that is most likely to be relevant is the Skilled Worker visa to work for an employer with a sponsor licence.  The occupation needs to be on the Skilled Worker occupation list.  If you are not from a country on the list of majority English speaking countries or have already met the English requirements previously, then you will likely either need to have a degree taught in English or pass a UKVI version of the English language test with IELTS or some other approved provider.

Intra-Company Transfer Visa

Perhaps unusually, under the intra-company transfer visa, there is no English language requirement.  However, this scheme is not that popular as it is not a direct route to indefinite leave to remain.  Those under the Intra-Company Transfer visa will most likely need to apply for a different visa first to gain indefinite leave to remain.  Maybe worth considering in some cases if the employer wishes to transfer employees to the UK.   

Youth Mobility Scheme visa

The Youth Mobility visa is for those under thirty years of age and a citizen of a limited number of countries.  If you come under one of the UK nationality categories that do not grant you residence in the UK (somewhat bizarrely!), or are a national of one of the following countries the Youth Mobility scheme allows entry for two years with few restrictions on work.  

• Australia

• Canada

• Hong Kong

• Japan

• Monaco

• New Zealand

• Republic of Korea

• San Marino

• Taiwan

Temporary Worker visas

There may be other options such as working as a temporary worker intern or perhaps by coming under a Government exchange scheme.  The Temporary Worker visa scheme does not by itself lead to indefinite leave to remain.

Global Talent visa

The Global Talent visa is difficult to come under.  You need to apply to an endorsing body and come under “Exceptional Talent” or “Exceptional Promise”.  One good thing about this scheme is that you do not need to have an employer.

Start-Up Visa

The Start-Up visa is limited to those who can come under a relevant endorsing body to start a new business in the UK.  May be difficult to come under.

Innovator Visa

You must have £50,000 to invest in a new business.   Again, the difficulty is that you need to obtain an endorsement from an endorsing body.

Other UK visa routes

There may be schemes available from time to time such as the UK truck driver scheme and seasonal worker visa.

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, workpermit.com can help.

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