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22 ways to enter

United Kingdom visas

United Kingdom work visa

Separate work routes cover skilled jobs, temporary work, business transfers and other types of employment.

Ways to get a United Kingdom work visa

  1. Skilled Worker visa

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the Skilled Worker route.

  2. Health and Care Worker visa

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the Health and Care Worker route.

  3. Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work)

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the temporary Charity Worker route.

  4. Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the temporary Creative Worker route.

  5. Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the temporary Government Authorised Exchange route.

  6. International Agreement visa (Temporary Work)

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the temporary International Agreement route.

  7. Religious Worker visa (Temporary Work)

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the temporary Religious Worker route.

  8. Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work)

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the temporary Seasonal Worker route.

  9. Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the Graduate Trainee business mobility route.

  10. Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the Secondment Worker business mobility route.

  11. Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the Senior or Specialist Worker business mobility route.

  12. Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the Service Supplier business mobility route.

  13. UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the UK Expansion Worker business mobility route.

  14. Graduate visa

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the Graduate route.

  15. International Sportsperson visa

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the International Sportsperson route.

  16. Minister of Religion visa (T2)

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the Minister of Religion route.

  17. Overseas Domestic Worker visa

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the Overseas Domestic Worker route.

  18. Representative of an Overseas Business visa

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the Representative of an Overseas Business route.

  19. Scale-up Worker visa

    Visa needed

    Applicants under the Scale-up Worker route.

  20. Service providers from Switzerland visa

    Visa needed

    Service providers applying under the Switzerland route.

  21. Frontier Worker permit

    Other permit

    Applicants under the Frontier Worker permit route.

  22. Exempt vignette

    Other permit

    Applicants who qualify for an exempt vignette.

Who needs it

Travellers planning work in the UK need permission that allows their activity. Ordinary visitor permission generally does not allow UK employment.

How to apply

  1. Register an online account and complete the application form.
  2. Pay the fee.
  3. Attend a visa application centre appointment and provide biometrics, unless exempt.

What to bring

  • Fingerprints and a digital face image, unless exempt.
  • Tuberculosis test evidence if the residence and intended stay rules apply.

Good to know

  • The work route list is dated September 2023.
  • Entrepreneur (Tier 1), Investor (Tier 1), Start-up, Turkish Businessperson and Turkish Worker visas are listed as closed to new applications.
  • Special work schemes are listed separately below.

Questions

Do I need a work visa for the United Kingdom?

Travellers planning work in the UK need permission that allows their activity. Ordinary visitor permission generally does not allow UK employment.

What are the ways to get a work visa for the United Kingdom?

There are 22 options: Skilled Worker visa (a visa from an embassy); Health and Care Worker visa (a visa from an embassy); Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work) (a visa from an embassy); Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work) (a visa from an embassy); Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work) (a visa from an embassy); International Agreement visa (Temporary Work) (a visa from an embassy); Religious Worker visa (Temporary Work) (a visa from an embassy); Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work) (a visa from an embassy); Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility) (a visa from an embassy); Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility) (a visa from an embassy); Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility) (a visa from an embassy); Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility) (a visa from an embassy); UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility) (a visa from an embassy); Graduate visa (a visa from an embassy); International Sportsperson visa (a visa from an embassy); Minister of Religion visa (T2) (a visa from an embassy); Overseas Domestic Worker visa (a visa from an embassy); Representative of an Overseas Business visa (a visa from an embassy); Scale-up Worker visa (a visa from an embassy); Service providers from Switzerland visa (a visa from an embassy); Frontier Worker permit (a special permit); Exempt vignette (a special permit).

How long does a the United Kingdom work visa take?

Most visa applications are decided within 3 weeks.

What documents do I need for a the United Kingdom work visa?

Fingerprints and a digital face image, unless exempt.; Tuberculosis test evidence if the residence and intended stay rules apply..

How do I apply for a the United Kingdom work visa?

1. 1. Register an online account and complete the application form. 2. 2. Pay the fee. 3. 3. Attend a visa application centre appointment and provide biometrics, unless exempt.

Does my passport change whether I need a work visa for the United Kingdom?

Yes. Rules depend on the country that issued your passport. Open the United Kingdom visa page and choose your passport for a plain answer.

Can a work visa for the United Kingdom be refused?

Yes. Officials can refuse a visa or entry, even after you apply. Give true answers, bring the documents asked for, and keep proof of your onward trip and money.

Where do I check the latest the United Kingdom work visa rules?

On the United Kingdom's official immigration or foreign ministry website, or at its embassy. Rules change, so check close to your trip.

Can I change my work visa once I am in the United Kingdom?

Often you cannot switch visa type inside the country. Ask the immigration office before you travel if you might need to.

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