Navigating UK Work Visas 

As an international job seeker eyeing the UK job market, securing a valid visa is your first step. But the visa you require hinges on factors such as your nationality, desired role, and qualifications, so here’s a helpful rundown of the most common visas encountered by the Harvey John team. 

Here’s a breakdown of the most common visas in the UK:

• Skilled Worker

This visa is for skilled workers who have a job offer from a Home Office-approved employer. The job must be on the list of eligible occupations, and the salary must meet the minimum requirements which currently stands at £25,600 per annum. You will also need to have a certificate of sponsorship from your employer.

• Senior or Specialist Worker (Global Business Mobility)

This visa allows you to come to the UK if you are an experienced worker who is being transferred to the UK by your overseas employer. You must have been working for your overseas employer for at least 12 months in the last 12 months.

• Graduate 

This visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 2 years after you graduate from a UK university with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. You must have been studying full-time at a UK university and you must have met the academic requirements of your course.

• Graduate Trainee  (Global Business Mobility)

This visa allows you to come to the UK if you are a graduate who is being sponsored by a UK employer to undertake a training program. You must have been offered a training program that is at least 12 months long.

• Youth Mobility Scheme 

This visa allows you to come to the UK to work or volunteer for up to 2 years. You must be aged 18-30 and you must be from one of the eligible countries.

• High Potential Individual (HPV)

This visa is for individuals who have graduated from a top university outside of the UK in the last five years. You do not need a job offer to apply for this visa, but you will need to have been studying a STEM subject and achieved a certain grade point average.

• Global Talent 

This visa is for individuals with exceptional talent in a field such as science, engineering, technology, medicine, humanities, or the arts. You do not need a job offer to apply for this visa, but you will need to be endorsed by an endorsing body. 

• UK Expansion Worker (Global Business Mobility)

This visa allows you to come to the UK if you are being employed by a UK business that is expanding its operations in the UK. You must have been working for your overseas employer for at least 12 months in the last 12 months.

• Service Supplier (Global Business Mobility)

This visa allows you to come to the UK if you are being supplied to a UK business by your overseas employer. You must have been working for your overseas employer for at least 12 months in the last 12 months.

• UK Ancestry 

This visa allows you to come to the UK if you can prove that you have a British grandparent or parent. You must also meet certain other requirements, such as having a clean criminal record and being able to speak English.

• Spousal 

This visa allows you to join your spouse or civil partner in the UK if they are a British citizen or settled in the UK. You must be able to prove that you are in a genuine relationship, and you must meet certain financial requirements.

• Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

Grants you permanent residency and work rights in the UK. You can apply for a settlement visa after you have lived in the UK for a certain number of years, depending on your visa type. For example, if you have been in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa for 5 years, you may be eligible to apply for a settlement visa.

*The exact requirements for a settlement visa will depend on your individual circumstances. It is important to check the UK government website for the latest requirements.

• Representative of an Overseas Business

This visa allows you to come to the UK if you are a senior executive who is being sent to the UK to set up or manage a branch of your overseas business. You must have been working for your overseas employer for at least 12 months.

• Secondment Worker (Global Business Mobility)

This visa allows you to come to the UK if you are being seconded to the UK by your overseas employer. You must have been working for your overseas employer for at least 12 months in the last 12 months.

• Service providers from Switzerland 

This visa allows you to come to the UK if you are a service provider from Switzerland who are coming to the UK to work for a Swiss company. You must have been working for your Swiss company for at least 12 months in the last 12 months.

As recruiters, we are not experts in immigration law. Our insights are based on the visas we currently observe in the market. For further details, please consult the UK government website.