Visa and Immigration Issues- Please note the visa and immigrations rules are being continuously revised
Getting a UK work visa is possible for a wide variety of people, although the country will take your personal situation into account before granting one to you. Those who will be holding a high paying job when they enter the country will have an easier time acquiring a work visa. The UK determines your eligibility to enter the country based on the number of points you can accumulate in their system. Each immigration tier features a set number of points that you will need when applying under that tier, so make sure that you will have enough points before applying. The UK Immigration website has a point calculator, which will help you out along the way.
The best way to get into the country is through tier one, as this is for highly skilled workers, investors and entrepreneurs. Previously, you had to attain at least a Master’s degree before applying under tier one, but this is no longer the case. The main thing that you will be judged on is how much money you make, since the UK wants people who will be able to spend money and put it back into the economy. This type of visa is the best to attain because it is highly likely that it will be approved, since you will clearly be a more beneficial member of society.
Tier two immigration visas are slightly below tier one, as they go to skilled workers. The income of these workers might be slightly lower, as they will be more working class. The jobs that these individuals will fill are highly important, but their acceptance is based on the demand for workers to fill the positions. Unless your employer is in a shortage occupation, you might have some difficulties unless the employer fills out a resident labour market test to see if the job can be filled by someone within the country first. You must make at least £20,000 to fall under this category, but you will receive a higher score if you make over £32,000. You must also prove that you can speak English and have at least £8,000 in savings when you arrive.
Tier three is currently on hold, as it was reserved for unskilled workers. Many of these jobs were seasonal, so your work visa would not be permanent, but would rather only last for a few months. The UK now feels as though it can handle the demand for these seasonal workers from within the European Union, so those from outside of Europe can no longer apply for these visas. Workers from Romania and Bulgaria are of particular interest for these positions, since citizens from these countries had sanctions placed on them when their countries joined the European Union. These changes have angered some agricultural workers within the UK, since it has made it harder for them to attract enough workers to meet their demands.
Only students can apply for tier four, although they must fit the criteria before being allowed to work. These students must have sponsorship from the school that they wish to attend before being considered. They must also complete their courses at an acceptable level and have enough money to pay for the courses and their cost of living before arriving. Students can work for 20 hours per week during school and 40 hours per week during their holidays, which helps to pay for things outside of school. Most students can also stay in the country for an additional four months once the course has ended, which provides them with additional opportunities to work. Students can also apply under tier one once they graduate, as there is a post-study work category that exempts them from the high earnings portion of that tier.
Tier five is for temporary workers and in most cases, these visas are granted to young people who want to work in the country for a short period of time. This program is only for people from certain countries, so make sure that you are eligible before applying. You must be between the ages of 18 and 30 to apply for a temporary visa and your stay in the country will be less than two years. You also cannot reapply to another tier once you arrive, as this must be done from your own country.
It is also possible to get a work visa if you are from a Commonwealth country and have recent ancestors that were born in the UK. You have the proper documentation to prove that your ancestors were born in the UK and must have a job and be able to support yourself once you arrive. You can apply for work under any tier while in the country, which gives these individuals the most freedom. Many countries that are included under this provision will be able to help you secure the proper documentation, making it much easier for you to gain access to the UK.
As you can see, there are many ways to acquire a work visa to work in the UK, although the country will not accept everyone. If you are a skilled or highly skilled worker with a degree, you have a good chance of getting a work visa. Likewise, students and young people can often get into the country, provided they meet the criterion that is needed. While there might be problems that people from certain countries will run into, getting a UK visa is possible through this process.
