Finances & Money

Can You Work in the UK Without A Visa?

If you plan to work in another country, you should know what requirements to prepare beforehand. No matter if it’s with an immigration agency or you’re independently applying, doing so will make the whole process much more manageable.

Not only that, but if you work with lawyers for employees, you will have a better idea of the legal issues. This is most especially when it comes to work visas, where there are complex processes and requirements needed.

If you’re wondering about whether you can work in the UK without a visa, then you’re in the right place. In the following sections, we’ll try to answer the question and provide some other details that you may need to know.

Is A Visa Necessary for Working in the UK?

If you’re not a citizen of Europe or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), you need a visa to work in the UK. Basically, this means that if you’re from any other country moving to the UK for work purposes, then you need a visa.

In general, if you’re coming to the UK solely for work purposes, you need to apply for a work visa. This will let you work in the country for one year. Once the period ends, you need to apply for a renewal of your visa.

There is also a permanent work visa that you can consider if you want to reside in the UK permanently. Either way, you can expect to gain validity for UK employment.

How to Apply for a UK Work Visa

If you need a work visa, then here are the steps that you should follow when applying for a regular work visa:

1. Check eligibility for UK Work Visa.
2. Prepare requirements.
3. Apply either online or through an immigration agency.
4. Wait for approval.

Note that there are different kinds of work visas that you can apply for in the UK. This is where you will depend on when checking eligibility and requirements. Some choices include:

• Skilled Worker Visa
• Intra-Company Transfer Visa
• Healthcare Worker Visa
• Temporary Work Visa (For Charity Workers, Government Program Workers, and International Agreement Workers)

Make sure to ask a professional about which will be best for your needs, so you can avoid signing up for the wrong visas. Another thing, there are various requirements depending on what state in the UK you want to work for. For instance, London has different criteria when compared to the Birmingham visa requirement.

What Requirements Do You Need for a Work Visa?

Here are the most common requirements that you have to prepare for a work visa, no matter the type:

• Valid Proof of Identification (Passport and/or Government-Issued IDs)
• Proof of Eligibility for Self Financial Support
• Proficiency in the English Language
• Proof of Payment for Fees (Visa Fees, Health Surcharge, Optional Insurance Fees)

In some types of visas, like the Skilled Worker Visa, you will be asked if you have a confirmed job offer. This is a requirement before you can proceed. The interviewer will also evaluate if your skills and credentials match the field that you’re in.

More often than not, you will be subject to a financial requirement. No matter the visa type, you will need to have £1,270 of savings.

What Other Kinds of Visa are Accepted Work in the UK?

If you don’t prefer applying for a work visa and you’re looking into other options, then you’ll be glad to know that there are other visas that can still permit you to work in the UK.

Some examples of accepted visas are for self-employed people. These include Innovator Visa and Start-Up Visa. The former will allow up to three years with renewal options, but the offer is fixed for 2 years. It can’t be renewed.

A Family Visa, long-term Student Visa, Spouse Visa, and other long-term applications are also permitted to legally work in the state.

Who Can Work in the UK Without A Visa?

Now, when can you work without a visa? Here are the standards set by the UK government:

• Must be a British Citizen
• Must be a registered resident of EU/EEA/Swiss
• Must have an Indefinite Leave to Remain Certification based in the U

You need to be eligible for at least one of these criteria before you can freely travel and work around the UK.

Summary

To wrap it up, immigrants generally need a visa to work in the UK. There are certain conditions that you should first meet if you want to work without one. Specifically, you have to be a registered citizen of Britain or the EU. Otherwise, you’ll need a certificate proving that you have an Indefinite Leave to Remain in the said state.

Note that your options for working are not limited to the UK. If you apply for a Schengen visa, you will be permitted to work in 26 countries in Europe. This means more opportunities and possible income sources for you.