What we do

UK Work Permit Visa 

• The UK work permit is a gateway for individuals seeking employment opportunities in the United Kingdom. This visa allows holders to legally work and reside in the United Kingdom, contributing to the dynamic economy and diverse workforce.

• Alongside the UK work permit, there are other visa options available, such as the UK work visa and the UK job seeker visa. Each visa type serves different purposes and caters to various employment needs, providing flexibility for individuals exploring opportunities in the United Kingdom.
• The UK work permit offers individuals the opportunity to work and reside in the United Kingdom, one of the leading business hubs in the world. This visa allows holders to secure employment with a UK-based employer and contribute to the city's vibrant economy.

UK Immigration

The UK is a melting pot of diversity – the 2021 census showed that in England & Wales, one in six people was not born in the UK, rising to 37% within London. Immigrating to the UK continues to be desirable due to its high standard of living – with a strong economy, profitable job opportunities, a world-renowned education system, and generous welfare and healthcare provisions.

Whilst this makes the UK appealing, it also means competition is rife. Our immigration consultants ensure you have the best chance at success in an ever-changing landscape.

Benefits of Working in UK

How to Work in the United Kingdom?

Looking to work in the United Kingdom (UK)? Prestige Visa Solutions Agency could be your trusted partner for securing your UK work permit visa. Our highly experienced team is here to understand the overall intricacies of the UK immigration process and is here to guide you through every step in order to get access to the UK job seeker visa.

Whether you're seeking employment opportunities or even if you're planning to apply for a UK work visa, we are here to provide you with comprehensive UK job seeker visa services tailored to your needs. From understanding UK job seeker visa requirements to navigating the entire application process, we're here to ensure a stress-free experience and eventually, you'll get access to the United Kingdom work permit visa.

With Prestige Visa Solutions Agency, you can always trust that your UK work permit application will be handled with professionalism and expertise and you'll get access to the United Kingdom work visa. Contact us today to begin your journey towards working in the United Kingdom!

Why choose Prestige Solutions Agency for United Kingdom Visa?

Worldwide Visa Assistance

We make it easy and quick to get visas for all international countries.

End-to-End Process

From submitting documents to getting your visa in your email, we assist you with everything.

Pay As You Wish

Select the payment method to pay for your United Kingdom visa fees.

Track Your Visa Application

You can track your visa application in real time.

UK Work Visa

Complete guide to obtaining an employment visa and working permit for the UNITED KINGDOM

What is a work visa in the UK?

In the UK, a work permit (or work visa) is a document issued by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), a Home Office department that permits a foreign national to legally work for an employer in the United Kingdom. The UK offers a mix of short and long-stay visas, with the latter lasting anywhere between two and five years.

Foreign nationals who wish to work in the UK usually need a job offer to be eligible to apply for a work visa (although this isn't always the case). Employers who want to hire non-UK citizens need to apply for a sponsor license and must demonstrate that the position they're hiring for meets the government's requirements for suitable pay and skill levels.

The UK work permit system can be complex and ever-changing, but with the right information, it can open doors to a diverse pool of skilled professionals. In this guide, we'll break down the different types of work permits, eligibility requirements, application processes, and your responsibilities as an employer.

Work permits in the UK are the same as work visas - they are a document issued by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), a department of the Home Office, permitting foreign nationals to work in the UK for a specified period.

To be allowed to work in the United Kingdom, you as well as the company hiring you must fulfill the following conditions:

• You must be at least 18 years old;
• Have a job offer from a UK employer;
• Your employer must be on the list of licensed sponsors approved by the Home Office;
• The license of the company hiring you has to be valid;
• You must meet the minimum salary requirements: £38,700 per year or your job's going rate, whichever is higher;
• The company must not have any violations;
• The work you do must correspond to the nature of the company hiring you.

Who Needs Work Permits in the UK?

Anyone who isn't a citizen of the United Kingdom must have a valid work permit if they wish to work in the country. The only ones exempted are Irish nationals.

Hence, if you are an employer wishing to hire someone from another country, your job offer must be contingent on their right to work as evidenced by a valid work permit.

The Consequences of Illegal Employment

In the UK, employers hiring individuals without the right to work face severe consequences. These include hefty fines, up to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first offence, and even potential imprisonment. Moreover, their reputation and business can suffer significant damage, leading to loss of trust and clients.

The good news is, the government has now made it easier for employers to check an individual's right to work through an online share code. This is very important because hiring a foreign national without a valid work visa is considered illegal employment, and there are legal consequences to this Your employer and/or an authorized agent has to obtain the work permit on your behalf. 

Legal Framework Around UK Work Permits

The legal framework governing work visas are designed to regulate the entry and employment of foreign nationals. It helps ensure that foreign nationals entering and working in the UK have the skills and qualifications required to carry out their role. Regulating their entry also aids in keeping the labour market healthy.

The bedrock of the UK's work visa policy is the Immigration Rules, a set of regulations issued by the Home Office. These rules outline the eligibility criteria, application procedures, rights, and responsibilities of visa holders. They also cover the various types of work visas available, each with specific requirements. These rules also govern the Points Based System and the employee sponsorship. Upon the complete submission of documents, it usually takes about 14 working days for the Ministry to issue the work permit. 

Types of UK Work Permit, Eligibility and Length of Stay

Understanding the different types of work permits in the UK is crucial for employers because the type dictates what work can be done by the foreign employee and for how long. Here are the types of visas depending on the employment situation.

You Have a Job Offer

If you have a job offer, there are two popular work Visas in the UK:

Health and Care Worker Visa

This visa is for medical professionals who want to work in the UK for the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care. To be eligible, the employee must:

• Be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care professional and work in an eligible health or social care job.
• Work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office (hence, you must be approved)
• Have a certificate of sponsorship from you, and be paid a minimum salary.
• Be able to support themselves by showing their bank account (unless you as an employer can cover for them at least in the first month)

This visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it.

Application fee depends on how long the employee stays in the UK: £284 for up to 3 years, £551 for more than 3 years.

Skilled Worker Visa

This visa allows employees to work in the UK for an approved employer in an eligible job. To be eligible, the employee must:

• Work for a UK employer that's been approved by the Home Office
• Have a certificate of sponsorship from you
• Do a job that's on the list of eligible occupations, and be paid a minimum salary
• Be able to support themselves by showing their bank account (unless you as an employer can cover for them at least in the first month)

This visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it.

The application fee ranges from £719 to £1,639, and there's also the need to pay for the health surcharge, which can be up to £1,035 per year.

How long does it take to get a work permit in the UK?

If the employee is applying by himself and/or through an authorized Agent for a work permit and still living outside the UK, it'll take two weeks for the Home Office to make a decision about their application. Foreign nationals who are already living in the United Kingdom can expect to hear back in one week.

Occasionally, there are some exceptions to these processing times, and an employee may be able to get a decision faster. However, this mostly depends on whether they're already living in the UK or not. They'll be able to figure out whether they're eligible for a faster processing time when they fill out the application.

Application process for work permits under the UK visa system

Applying for a UK work visa is a relatively simple process. All an employee and/or an authorized Agent on behalf of him needs to do is go online, prove their identity, pay the appropriate fee, and submit the necessary documents.

The exact documents an employee and/or the authorized Agent on behalf of the employee will need may vary based on the visa they're applying for. For instance, to obtain a skilled worker visa, an employee and/or the authorized Agent needs to provide the following:

• Their certificate of sponsorship (CoS) reference number
• A valid passport or another document that proves their identity and nationality
• Their job title and annual salary
• Proof of their knowledge of English
• Their job's occupation code
• The name of their employer and their sponsor license number

Depending on their individual circumstances, employees might also be asked to provide the following to qualify for a skilled worker visa:

• Bank statements to prove they have adequate savings to support themselves while they're living in the UK
• Proof of relationship with their partner and/or dependents if they're applying with the other members of their family
• Criminal record certificate
• Their tuberculosis test results, depending on which country they're coming from

Citizens of the EU, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Iceland (also called EEA–or European Economic Area-citizens) don't need to have a blank page in their passport so long as they have a passport with a biometric chip in it. Citizens of all other countries need a blank page in their passport.

How to apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa?

The process of applying for a Skilled Worker visa from outside of the UK is either online or at the offices of the Home Office. You will be in a position to complete and submit your application once you have your job offer, Certificate of Sponsorship, and the supporting information listed above. The application can be submitted by the employee and/or an authorized Agent.

The application steps are as follows:

1. Check your eligibility for a Skilled Worker Visa
2. Secure a job offer from a licensed sponsor in the UK
3. Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship from your UK employer
4. Prepare the documents you will need to prove your eligibility for a Skilled Worker visa
5. Pay the application fee and healthcare surcharge.
6. Upload any documents required to support your application.

• You can expect to receive a decision within 2/3 weeks of your application date if submitted outside the UK. If more information is needed to support your application, you will be contacted by UKVI.

Skilled Worker Visa extension

Yes, you can. All types of Work Visas for the United Kingdom are issued for 1-5 years and can be renewed. 

You will be able to extend your visa before it expires as long as you are still with the same sponsor/employer and you are still in the same occupation (this must be in the same occupation code as your current visa). If you plan to change your job or employer, you will need to apply for a new visa rather than extend your current visa. It is possible to extend your visa as many times as you wish.

UK Work Permits (General Category) & Permanent Residency 

As a UK work permit holder you can qualify for permanent residence if you have lived and worked in the UK for a minimum of five years. Once you have satisfied the five year requirement you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK, which can be then be followed by British Naturalisation as a UK citizen.

How We Can Help You

• Assessment of Your Personal Circumstances
  We know that every case is different. Our registered consultants are here to listen, understand and provide you with accurate advice about the best UK visa route according to your personal circumstances.
• Documentation
  Following our comprehensive assessment of your circumstances we will provide you with full details of all documentation we require to prepare and submit a successful work permit application on your behalf.
• Preparation and Submission of Your Application
  Once you've provided all of the request documents your dedicated case manager will collate all documentation and prepare your application in accordance with the latest immigration rules and requirements.
• Advertising the Role
  If necessary, we can advise and assist with ensuring the advertisement placed meets the government criteria.
• Application Monitoring and Liaising with UKBA
  Your case worker will submit your application to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) on your behalf and monitor progress, keeping you up to date at every step of the way. We will also manage any requests for additional information from the UKVI. Then as soon as UKVI have approved your work permit application we'll notify you immediately. Our team of qualified immigration consultants know first-hand the stress involved with making a UK visa application and we're on hand to answer any questions you have throughout the application process.