Why Apply for UK Work Visas?

• Gain employment in the UK for a period of five years.

• Receive a quicker decision on your application.

• The optimal pathway to immigrate to the UK.

• The average annual gross salary in the UK ranges from £35,000 to £45,000.

A UK work visa may be an important landmark on your path and a chance to live in a country with time-tested know-how in politics and culture. UK immigration is very popular. Nevertheless, the actualities of the processes involved, the processing times, the costs, and the specific visa types can be bewildering. We have therefore endeavoured to dedicate this guide to all the facets of work visas in the UK, including UK work visa cost, UK work visa processing time, UK work visa for Indians, and more. We will be unpacking them chunk by chunk for clarity and to empower you with the knowledge needed to confidently pursue work in the UK.

What is Work Permit UK?

In UK immigration law, the term "work permit" is also known as the "work visa." Traditionally, the work permit UK system enabled UK employers to hire from outside the EEAA region. The employers were obligated to get the okay from the nation's government. When the country-preferred formal work permit UK system changed into the Points-Based System (PBS), which included various categories for visa applicants and skilled workers, the term work permit came to an end. The word work permit UK remains in people’s.

Understanding UK Work Visa Categories

There are various types of UK work visa categories that can be specified below. Here are the major types of UK work visa categories:

• Skilled worker visa

• High-potential individual visa

• Global business mobility visa

• India Young Professionals Scheme Visa

• Scale up visa

• Temporary worker visa

• Graduate visa

• Global talent visa

• UK ancestry visa

1. Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker visa allows skilled professionals from outside the UK to be employed by a UK-based sponsor. Introduced in December 2020, it replaced the former Tier 2 (General) work visa. 

Eligibility:

To apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you must have a job offer from a licensed sponsor in the UK for a role listed as a skilled occupation. You will also need to meet the minimum salary requirement for your position, which is the higher of either £38,100 per year (or the equivalent in another currency) or the 'going rate' for the job you are undertaking.

2. High Potential Individual Visa

The UK government introduced the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa in May 2022. It aims to attract recent graduates from leading universities worldwide to live and work in the UK.

Eligibility:

• You must be 18 years or older.

• You must have earned a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD from a university on the Global Universities List within the past five years.

• You must be able to speak English at a B1 level on the CEFR scale (roughly an IELTS score of 4.0).

• You must have enough money to support yourself without using public funds. Typically, this means around £1,270 per month if you live outside London or £2,400 per month if you live in London.

• You cannot have previously been granted permission to stay in the UK under the Graduate route or the Doctorate Extension Scheme.

3. Global Business Mobility Visa

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa, introduced by the UK government in April 2022, merges five previous temporary work visa categories. It is for overseas businesses seeking to establish a UK presence or transfer staff for specific activities.  

The GBM visa is there for all sorts of people working for businesses abroad with ties to a UK sponsor. This includes top officials like senior managers for Intra-Company Transfer, Intra-Company Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Workers, Independent Professionals and Service Suppliers, and secondment Workers.

Eligibility:

• Be sponsored by a company with an approved A-rated Sponsor Licence.

• Meet the minimum salary requirement, which varies based on the category.

• Hold a legitimate position within the sponsoring company.

• Possess the required skills and qualifications for the role.

4.  India Young Professionals Scheme Visa

The India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) Visa offers young Indian citizens the opportunity to reside and work in the UK for a maximum period of two years.

Eligibility:

• Be an Indian citizen aged between 18 and 30.

• Possess a bachelor's degree or higher qualification.

• Have no dependent children under 18.

• Fulfil financial criteria (approximately £2,530 in savings).

5. Post-Study Work Visa UK

A Post Study Work Visa UK, known as the Graduate Route, is also provided by the country. It enables international students who have finished their studies in the UK to remain for two or three years afterwards.

Eligibility:

• Possess a valid Tier 4/Student visa.

• Obtain an offer from a higher education provider that sponsors the Graduate route.

• Successfully finish a qualifying course at the undergraduate level or above.

UK Work Visa Requirements for Indians in 2024

Let’s take a deep dive into UK work visa requirements.

1. Eligibility Criteria

The first thing on the list of UK work visa requirements is to define your eligibility criteria. To become eligible for a UK work permit, the applicants must satisfy the set admission criteria, such as having a signed job contract from a UK employer, meeting English proficiency requirements, and establishing enough finances to manage their support in the UK.

2. Sponsorship Requirement

UK work visa requirements will mainly be organized through the sponsorship of a UK-licensed employer who will be in charge of the visa application. The employer must have a Tier 2 sponsor license holder and give the applicant a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

3. English Language Proficiency

One of the most important things in UK work visa requirements is having English language proficiency. Foreign nationals may be offered UK work visas after showing evidence of their English language ability by going through an approved English language test or having a university degree with English as its medium of instruction.

UK Work Visa Processing Time in 2024

UK work visa processing time might depend on the type of visa, the country applicants are coming from, and the volume of applications being used in question. There is a range of UK work visa processing times. The range is from a couple of weeks to several months. But, notwithstanding the fact, some expedited processing options could be eligible for some visa categories while the processing decision can be made within a shorter time because of paying an additional fee.

UK Work Visa Cost for Indian Applicants in 2024

The UK work visa may vary from one type of visa to another. Here is a brief outline of UK work visa costs that you can refer to: 

Note: The cost mentioned here is as of May 23, 2024, and the present conversion rates of Pounds to INR

Top 10 High-Paying Jobs in the UK in 2024

Imp Note: 

• Salary figures are approximate and can vary depending on experience, location, and specific company.

• INR conversion is based on the May 23, 2024 exchange rate and may fluctuate.

How to Apply for a UK Work Visa for Indians in 2024?

Indian nationals make up a considerable number of the people who immigrate to the UK seeking employment every year. Whether you are a highly skilled professional looking for a means of securing a job in the UK or a fresh graduate who desires to start his or her career, you can find navigating a UK work visa for Indians as daunting as it seems. 

However, the process of a UK work visa for Indians depends on the type of visa one applies for. Here are some of the general steps for applying a UK work visa for Indians:

1. Secure a job offer: Start by finding a genuine job offer from a company in your desired country that's allowed to hire people from abroad.
2. Research visa requirements: Each country has its own process for visa applications. Look into the specific requirements for the work visa category of your chosen country. You'll probably need to check out the embassy or consulate website.
3. Get your documents together: Collect important documents like your passport, educational certificates, work experience proof, medical clearance, and job contract. The documents you need can vary depending on the country.
4. Fill out the application form: You can usually do this online or get a form from the embassy or consulate.
5. Set up an appointment (if needed): Some countries may want to interview you in person as part of the application.
6. Cover the application costs: Be ready to pay the fees for applying for a work visa.
7. Hand in your application: Attend any interviews and submit your documents to the embassy or consulate.
8. Wait for processing: The time it takes to process your visa can vary, depending on how busy they are and the country's procedures.

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