It’s no surprise that many people are eyeing the UK for a permanent job. With a lot of multinational companies headquartered in the country, more fresh graduates and skilled workers are trying to get to the UK to work to improve their financial situation.
Aside from the skills, qualifications, and experience, a lot of companies are considering foreign nationals as their employees given that different nationalities are now migrating to the UK. Due to this, language skills became an advantage to people who are seeking permanent employment in the UK. A lot of companies have opened their doors to international graduates due to the country’s large job sectors.
Given that the country has flexible working conditions, high salaries, healthcare, education, and social security benefits, applying for a visa for work can be complicated and stressful.
When Should You Apply For a Working Visa?
Even with strict immigration laws, non-UK residents still find the country the best way to have a stable job and build a home.
Typically, you need to apply for a working visa at least three months before the start date of your employment which is indicated on the certificate of sponsorship. The process may take time since you need to provide necessary documents and prove to the UK Home Office that you can pass the points-based immigration system.
With the UK government limiting the number of migrant workers, a points-based immigration system is now imposed. Before you can enter the UK to work, you need to obtain the right working visa if you are a non-EU migrant. The PBS is implemented to ensure that the country is effectively hiring the best-skilled migrant workers.
With the PBS, a scoring system is implied that measures the visa applicant’s skill level on the job applied, a job offer from an approved employer, salary level, educational credentials, and English language proficiency.
Once all the documentary, identity, and skill requirements are passed, you will be able to receive a decision from the Home Court if you will be granted a visa.
Who Needs to Apply for a Working Visa?
All foreign nationals outside the UK are required to secure a working visa to live and get a job in the country. However, citizens from EU/EFTA countries, Canada, Australia, the US, and Japan can stay in the UK for a maximum of six months. If these citizens intend to get a job in the country, they will have to apply for a working visa.
Types of Working Visa
UK working visas are divided into three categories: short-term, long-term, and entrepreneur or talent visas.
If you intend to work in the UK for six months, you need to apply for a short-term visa. These do not need to pass the points-based immigration system and are only issued to employees who have a specific types of jobs.
The short-term visa is often granted to charity, creative, religious, and seasonal workers. Graduates that completed their UK study course may also apply for a short-term visa.
Long-term working visas are issued to workers who have passed the points-based immigration system such as skilled, healthcare, and senior or specialist workers. They are only granted a visa if they have scored at least 70 points in the PBS and have at least £1,270 in their bank accounts to prove that they can support themselves during their stay in the UK.
With a long-term visa, you are also allowed to work on another job for at least twenty hours a week as long as it is in the same industry and does not affect your current job schedule and responsibilities.
Validity and Renewal
The length of the visa validity depends on its type. A short-term visa is valid for one year but can be extended for another year. If a short-term visa is valid for two years, it is not renewable.
Getting a long-term visa will ensure that you can work and live legally in the UK for up to five years. This type of visa can be renewed if you still can meet the requirements. You need to prove that you have not changed jobs since the certificate of sponsorship was issued and when your visa was granted and that you are still working for the same employer under the same occupation code.
Some other requirements for renewal may also be required such as English language proficiency level, biometric information, enough funds in your bank account to support yourself, a new certificate of sponsorship, and the salary level that is matched on your job.
Long-term visa holders have a chance to get a permanent residency in the UK through the Indefinite Leave to Remain application if you are eligible.
