General Work Visa UK: Eligibility & Application Guide

Although there is no general work visa in the UK – one which covers every scenario when it comes to hiring an overseas national – there are various different routes available under the UK’s Immigration Rules to work in the UK. The primary route for workers is the Skilled Worker visa.

In this guide, we look at how to hire an overseas national under the skilled worker route, including the eligibility requirements, what this route allows and how much this costs, not to mention the all-important sponsorship requirement for employers. We also provide an overview of alternative types of UK work visas, including those visas for which no sponsorship is required to those specifically designed for short-term hires.

 

Who needs a work visa for the UK?

 

Most non-UK nationals require a visa to work in the UK, unless they have permission to live and work in the country through another immigration status. The specific visa required depends on the individual’s nationality, the type of work they will be doing, and whether they meet the relevant eligibility criteria.

Citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland now require a visa to work in the UK, unless they have settled status or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Irish citizens, however, do not need a visa due to the Common Travel Area agreement.

 

Is there a general work visa for the UK?

 

Under the current immigration system, there is no general work visa route in the UK, although a range of visas are available that cater for different types of workers and work.

The most commonly used type of UK work visa used to recruit overseas nationals is the skilled worker visa. This is a sponsored immigration route which will allow an overseas national to apply for permission to work in the UK, provided they meet the relevant route-specific requirements. These include the offer of a job within an eligible skilled occupation from a licensed sponsor that meets the applicable salary threshold. As such, the process of hiring an overseas national on the skilled worker route is twofold, requiring the following applications from both the employer and employee:

 

• the employer’s application for a skilled worker sponsor licence
• the employee’s application for a skilled worker visa.

 

 

Employer applies for a sponsor licence

 

Before an overseas national with the offer of a skilled job role in the UK can apply for a visa to work in that role, any UK business looking to recruit an overseas national under the skilled worker route must first have in place a Home Office-approved sponsor licence. As such, if an employer is not currently licensed to hire a skilled migrant worker, they will first need to apply for permission to sponsor their prospective new recruit.

To apply for permission to sponsor a skilled migrant worker, the employer will need to register its organisation’s details with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), complete an online application and pay the appropriate fee. They will also need to appoint an authorising officer to manage their sponsor licence application. This will need to be a senior and competent person within the business who will be responsible for the recruitment of migrant workers, together with a key contact to liaise with UKVI and a level 1 user to access the Home Office online sponsorship management system once a licence is granted.

To be eligible for a skilled worker sponsor licence, UKVI must be satisfied that the employer runs a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK, and that the employer’s business is suitable for sponsorship. In assessing suitability, UKVI will consider if the organisation is able to offer genuine employment meeting the minimum skill and salary thresholds under the skilled worker route. It will also take into account if the employer is honest, dependable and reliable, and capable of carrying out its sponsorship duties. Sponsor duties include:

 

• Reporting duties: Sponsor licence holders are required to submit specific information or events to the Home Office through the SMS within specific time frames.
• Record-keeping duties: Sponsors are responsible for maintaining records for each worker they support.
• Complying with Immigration Rules: Respecting all requirements of the Worker and Temporary Worker Sponsor Guidance and UK immigration laws.
• Complying with UK laws: Sponsor licence holders have a responsibility to abide by UK law generally (other than immigration law).
• Acting in public good: All sponsors have a duty to conduct in a way that is compatible with core values and does not harm the greater benefit of society by refraining from behaviour or actions that are not beneficial to society.

 

The employer will need to submit a number of detailed documents as evidence that it meets the requirements.

The Home Office has the discretion to make a pre-licence compliance visit before determining a licence application. This entails attending the sponsor licence applicant’s premises and inspecting personnel documentation and HR records. The accuracy and completeness of the information you supply on your sponsor licence application may be checked by the Home Office. You must make sure that the documents and files listed in Appendix D of the sponsor guidance are readily available.

The licence applicant must work with the officers and grant access to any locations under their control to any of their representatives.  In addition, the Home Office might confirm with HMRC that you are paying your employees fairly. To make sure you are complying with your duty to stop illegal working, the Home Office may also check on the immigration status of other foreign employees.

The cost of applying for a sponsor licence will depend on the employer’s size or status. For small and charitable sponsors, the application fee will be £536, with a higher fee of £1476 for medium or large sponsors. Employers will also be liable to pay the Immigration Skills Charge of £364 for the first 12 months for small or charitable sponsors, or £1000 for medium or large sponsors, plus £182 or £500 respectively for each additional 6 months. The point at which the employer assigns a certificate of sponsorship (CoS), following the grant of the licence to sponsor a migrant worker, there will be an additional fee of £239 for skilled workers, or £25 for temporary workers.

 

Employee applies for a skilled worker visa

 

To apply for a skilled worker visa, the new recruit will need to satisfy a number of eligibility criteria, including having been assigned a valid CoS as proof of a genuine job offer with a licensed UK sponsor. The job role must fall within an eligible occupation code, with the required skill level of at least RQF3. The role must also meet the relevant minimum salary threshold.

Finally, the applicant must meet the English language and financial requirements.

Under the English language requirement, where required, the applicant has to prove knowledge of English when applying by either:

 

• Passing an approved English language test with at least CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening, or
• Having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by UK ENIC, the UK National Information Centre for global qualifications and skills (formerly UK NARIC pre-Brexit).

 

Nationals from certain, majority English-speaking countries, such as Australia, New Zealand or America, will not need to prove knowledge of English.

Under the maintenance requirement, applicants will need to prove they have had £1,270 in their bank account for a period of 28 days before applying for the skilled worker visa. This is to show that they can support themselves financially upon arrival in the UK.

Applicants will not need to prove personal savings if they have a fully approved A-rated sponsor who can guarantee that they will cover their costs for the first month following their arrival in the UK. This must be confirmed by the sponsor on the CoS.

 

Applying for the skilled worker visa

To apply for a skilled worker visa, the migrant worker will need to complete an online application and submit their supporting documentation, including the following:

 

• A current passport or other travel document to prove they can travel
• Expired passports or travel documents to show their travel history
• Proof of knowledge of English, where applicable
• Proof of personal savings, where applicable
• Tuberculosis test results if from a listed country
• A criminal record certificate from any country they have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years where they are planning to work with vulnerable people.

 

Applicants may also need to provide additional documentation in support of their application depending on their circumstances. As such, it is always best to seek expert legal advice to ensure that any visa application is not unnecessarily delayed by failing to provide the correct documents.

Additional costs when applying for a skilled worker visa can include a £19.20 fee for the applicant to enrol their biometric information, if applicable, together with payment of an annual Immigration Health Surcharge to gain access to the UK’s NHS.

However, on the grant a skilled worker visa, the successful visa-holder will have permission to work in the UK for a period of up to 5 years. Provided they continue to meet the relevant requirements, they can also apply to extend their stay as many times as they like, with the possibility of applying to settle after meeting a 5-year continuous residence requirement.

 

Alternative work visa options for the UK

 

In addition to the skilled worker visa, there are various other types of general work visas, all potentially allowing UK employers to take advantage of a rich pool of overseas talent to help fill their skills gaps. Below we set out a brief summary of some of these key work visas, including the basic requirements, what each route allows and how much each visa will cost:

 

Graduate visa

 

The graduate route allows recent international graduates, having successfully completed a UK course of study at bachelor’s degree level or above, to undertake work in the UK for at least 2 years after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and 3 years after a PhD or other doctoral qualification.

This is an unsponsored immigration route designed to retain international graduate talent, with the flexibility for these individuals to work at any skill or salary level. Shortly prior to expiry of their graduate visa, and provided they are in a suitably skilled and well-salaried job role, a graduate worker can also apply to switch to the skilled worker visa, ensuring that employers do not lose valuable and integrated talent from within their workforce.

 

High potential individual visa

 

As another unsponsored work route, the high potential individual (HPI) visa will again give the visa-holder permission to undertake any type of work in the UK for at least 2 years for those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and 3 years for those with a PhD or other doctoral qualification.

To apply, an applicant must have been awarded a qualification by a top global university during the last 5 years. The list of eligible universities is updated annually by the Home Office.

Although UK universities are not eligible, an overseas graduate already in the UK on a student visa may instead be able to apply for the graduate visa described above.

If applying for a HPI visa from outside the UK, the applicant will also need to show proof of funds of at least £1,270 and, in either case, meet an English language requirement to level B1 CEFR.

 

Health and care worker visa

 

The health & care worker visa allows healthcare professionals to work in an eligible job role with either the NHS, an NHS service provider or within the adult social care sector for up to 5 years. The health and care worker visa is essentially a sub-category of the more general work visa under the skilled worker route, specifically aimed at qualified doctors, nurses and allied health or adult social care professionals trained to a recognised standard.

To apply for this type of visa, the applicant must have the offer of an eligible job role from a UK licensed sponsor that pays the relevant minimum salary level. They must also be able to meet an English language requirement to at least level B1 CEFR and show that they can support themselves on arrival in the UK if applying from overseas.

 

Scale-up visa

 

The scale-up visa allows workers to come to the UK to do an eligible job for a fast-growing UK business paying a minimum salary of £36,300 per year.

As a sponsored route, an employer must be an eligible scale-up business and licensed to sponsor this category of worker, although sponsorship will only last for 6 months. As the visa-holder will be granted a scale-up visa for a period of 2 years, they have the flexibility to leave their sponsored job role after just 6 months, to work in an unsponsored role for someone else, although they must continue to meet the minimum earnings requirement. The applicant must also meet an English language and financial requirement.

 

Global business mobility visas

 

There are various different visa options available under the global business mobility (GBM) umbrella, aimed at overseas businesses looking to establish or expand their business in the UK. To obtain any one of the GBM visas, the applicant will need to be sponsored by an approved licence-holder, authorised to sponsor the specific sub-category of worker. These categories include senior or specialist workers, graduate trainees, UK expansion workers, service suppliers and secondment workers, each with their own route-specific requirements.

Depending on the sub-category, the length of leave granted under a GBM visa can vary.

 

Temporary worker visas

 

The UK’s temporary worker routes are specifically designed to recruit various types of overseas workers in a variety of different roles. These include creative workers, charity workers, government authorised exchange workers, international agreement workers, religious workers and seasonal workers. Depending on the category of visa sought, the applicant may be allowed to stay in the UK for up to 2 years, although seasonal workers will not be granted a visa for more than 6 months. Still, any UK business looking to recruit a temporary worker, even on a short-term basis, will need an approved sponsor licence.

There are various route-specific requirements for each temporary worker category.

The fee to apply for a temporary worker sponsor licence is just £536, regardless of the size or status of the employer’s business, with a reduced fee of £25 to assign an CoS to a new temporary worker. These reduced sponsor licence and CoS fees also apply under each of the GBM routes, with the exception of the senior or specialist worker route, for which the sponsorship fees match those under the skilled worker route.

 

How long does it take to get a UK work visa?

 

The earliest workers can apply for a skilled worker visa is 3 months before they are due to start work in the UK, as stated on the certificate of sponsorship.

When applying from outside the UK, applicants should get a decision on their skilled worker visa within 3 weeks of attending their appointment at the visa application centre. If the application is not straightforward and more information is needed before a decision can be made, the applicant should be informed within the standard timescales for the visa.

Applicants are advised that UKVI continues to experience delays in application processing.

 

Need assistance?

 

As UK immigration law specialists, we can assist if you have any queries about hiring and sponsoring non-UK workers and the UK work visa routes available to overseas workers. Speak to our experts today for advice.

 

General Work Visa UK FAQs

 

Is there a General Work Visa for the UK?

No, there is no visa officially called the General Work Visa. Most foreign workers apply for a Skilled Worker Visa, which allows them to work in eligible roles for a UK-based employer with a Sponsor Licence.

 

What is the Graduate Visa, and who can apply?

The Graduate Visa allows international students who have completed a UK degree at bachelor’s level or higher to stay and work in the UK for 2 years, or 3 years if they have a PhD. No sponsorship is required, and applicants can work at any skill level.

 

What is the High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa?

The HPI Visa is for graduates of top-ranked global universities outside the UK. It allows work in any job for 2 years, or 3 years for PhD holders, without the need for sponsorship. The university must be on the UK government’s approved list.

 

How does the Health and Care Worker Visa differ from the Skilled Worker Visa?

The Health and Care Worker Visa is a specialised route for healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and social care workers. It offers lower visa fees and exemptions from the Immigration Health Surcharge.

 

What is the Scale-up Visa, and how does it work?

The Scale-up Visa allows workers with a job offer from a fast-growing UK business to stay in the UK. After 6 months with the sponsoring employer, the visa holder can switch to an unsponsored role if they continue meeting salary requirements.

 

What is the Global Business Mobility (GBM) Visa?

The GBM Visa covers different categories for overseas businesses transferring staff to the UK, including senior specialists, graduate trainees, and expansion workers. Sponsorship from a UK-licensed employer is required.

 

Can a temporary worker extend their stay in the UK?

Some Temporary Worker Visas allow extensions, depending on the category. Seasonal Worker Visas, however, are limited to 6 months and cannot be extended.

 

Can family members join a visa holder in the UK?

Most work visas allow dependants (partner and children) to join the main applicant. They must meet financial requirements and pay visa and healthcare fees.

 

Glossary

 

 

Term	Definition
Skilled Worker Visa	The main work visa for non-UK nationals with a job offer from a UK employer that is a licensed sponsor.
Sponsor Licence	A permit issued by the UK Home Office allowing employers to hire skilled foreign workers.
Graduate Visa	A visa allowing international graduates of UK universities to stay and work for 2 years (3 years for PhD holders) without needing sponsorship.
High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa	A visa for graduates of top-ranked global universities, allowing them to work in the UK for 2 or 3 years without employer sponsorship.
Health and Care Worker Visa	A visa for qualified healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and social care workers, with lower fees and an exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Scale-up Visa	A visa for workers employed by high-growth UK businesses, requiring sponsorship for the first 6 months but allowing flexibility afterwards.
Global Business Mobility (GBM) Visa	A visa category for overseas businesses transferring staff to the UK, covering roles such as senior specialists, graduate trainees, and expansion workers.
Temporary Worker Visa	A short-term work visa for specific industries, including charity, creative, seasonal, and government-authorised exchange workers.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)	A mandatory fee paid by visa applicants to access NHS healthcare while living in the UK.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)	An electronic record issued by an approved UK employer to confirm a job offer for a visa application.
Shortage Occupation List	A government-published list of jobs that have a shortage of workers in the UK, allowing lower salary thresholds and reduced visa fees.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)	A status allowing a non-UK national to live and work in the UK permanently after meeting residency and eligibility requirements.
Salary Threshold	The minimum salary a worker must earn to qualify for certain UK work visas, which varies by job type and visa route.
Financial Requirement	The amount of money an applicant must show they have to support themselves when applying for a visa.
Dependants	A visa applicant’s partner or children who may be eligible to join them in the UK under certain work visa categories.