United Kingdom (UK) Visa & Work Permit Guide

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The U.K. Skilled Worker visa is the most common route for legal employment, requiring employer sponsorship and meeting salary and skill thresholds.

Dependents (spouse, children) can accompany the main applicant, with similar residence rights.

RemoFirst’s RemoVisa service ensures full compliance, helping employers hire international talent in the U.K. without setting up a local entity by handling end-to-end immigration and onboarding logistics.

Work Authorization and Legal Residence Overview

Foreign nationals who wish to work in the U.K. typically require both a work visa and a legal residence permit.

The most common legal pathway is the Skilled Worker visa, which combines work authorization and residency in a single permit. Most permits are initially granted for up to five years and are renewable.

Exceptions may apply to business visitors, treaty-based professionals, or those under special mobility agreements.

Types of Work Visas and Permits Available

Skilled Worker Visa

For foreign nationals with a job offer from a U.K. employer licensed to sponsor visas.
Valid for up to 5 years, renewable.
Requires sponsorship, proof of English proficiency, and job matching the shortage list.
Can lead to permanent residence.

Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker

For intra-company transfers to a U.K. branch or affiliate.
Validity varies by assignment length; does not lead to settlement.
Requires employer sponsorship.

High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa

For graduates from top global universities within the last 5 years.
No employer sponsorship needed.
Valid for 2 years (3 years for PhDs); not extendable.

Start-up and Innovator Founder Visas

For entrepreneurs starting a business in the U.K.
Requires endorsement by an approved body.
The innovator route can lead to settlement.

Global Talent Visa

For leaders or emerging leaders in academia, arts, or tech.
No job offer required.
Valid for up to 5 years; leads to permanent residence.

Exemptions From Work Permit Requirements

Nationals of Ireland are exempt under the Common Travel Area.
U.K. ancestry visa holders (Commonwealth citizens with U.K. heritage).
Spouses or partners of U.K. citizens or residents with work authorization.
Visitors on short-term business trips may not need a work visa for activities such as attending meetings (must not perform paid work).

These exemptions are case-specific and require verification of eligibility.

Common Hiring Scenarios in United Kingdom

Scenario	Permit Required?	Notes
Foreign employee hired by local company	Yes	Skilled Worker visa required with a Certificate of Sponsorship from the employer.
Business owner starting own company	Yes	Requires an Innovator Founder visa and formal endorsement.
Remote employee hired by foreign employer	Yes	Must meet Skilled Worker or Global Talent visa eligibility criteria.
Secondment from foreign headquarters	Yes	Global Business Mobility visa applies under the intra-company transfer route.
Highly skilled professional	Yes	May qualify under Global Talent or Skilled Worker visa routes depending on sector.
Dependent spouse of a foreign worker	No	Can work in the UK if granted dependent status.

Most Common Route for Foreign Employees

The default pathway for foreign professionals in the U.K. is the Skilled Worker visa:

An employer (or EOR like RemoFirst) issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Applicant submits visa application with supporting documents.
Applicant attends biometric appointment at a U.K. Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) center.
Upon approval, receive a visa vignette and collect Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days of arrival.

This is the most widely used and reliable route for full-time international employees hired into the U.K. labor market.

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa)

Is Employer Sponsorship Required?

Yes. Most U.K. work visas require employer sponsorship.

Sponsoring employers must:

Hold a valid sponsor license from the Home Office
Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Submit a compliant job description and salary details

Exemptions:

Global Talent visa
High Potential Individual visa
Certain family reunion or ancestry cases

Labor market testing is no longer mandatory but jobs must meet salary and skill criteria.

Eligibility and Employer Requirements

Who Qualifies (Employee Side):

Non-U.K. citizen
Valid job offer from a licensed sponsor
University degree (RQF Level 6) or 5+ years of relevant experience
English language proficiency (SELT, or proof of English-taught degree)
Clean criminal record
Proof of qualifications and accommodation

What the Employer Must Provide:

Valid sponsorship license
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference
Salary details meeting minimum threshold (EUR 41,700, or EUR 33,400 for shortage roles)
Job description matching official occupation list
Proof of business operations

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/documents-you-must-provide)

Other Important Considerations

Exemptions and Alternative Pathways:

Graduate Visa for recent international students in the U.K.
High Potential Individual visa for top-tier graduates globally
Innovator Founder for entrepreneurs with endorsement
Global Talent for researchers and creatives

Tax and Compliance Considerations:

Visa holders taxed as U.K. residents once they pass the 183-day rule
Income tax and National Insurance contributions required
Employers must run PAYE and report wages monthly
Non-compliance risks fines and license suspension

Long-term Residence and Permanent Residency:

Eligible after 5 years on Skilled Worker or other qualifying visa
Must meet salary, language, and residence requirements
Leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
British citizenship typically possible after 1 year of ILR

Typical Processing Times and Common Delays

Document gathering and CoS assignment: 1–2 months
Visa application: 1–2 weeks
Biometric appointment: within 1–2 weeks
Decision: Standard (8 weeks), Priority (5 days), Super Priority (1 day)
Common delay sources include:
- Incomplete documents or CoS errors
- Peak season backlogs
- Delays in biometric appointments

How RemoFirst (RemoVisa) can Help

Navigating the United Kingdom’s work permit and residence environment can be complex. That’s where RemoVisa adds value. We help employers and foreign hires by:

Managing employer-sponsored visa applications: We guide your legal entity registration (if needed), draft compliant job documentation and vacancy justification, and submit work permit requests through the official portal.
Ensuring compliant work permit + residence permit processing: We coordinate all required documents (passport, translations, contracts, proof of housing, legal attestations) and monitor approvals.
Leveraging global coverage (110+ countries): As part of a broad global EOR network, we make the U.K. just one option among many, scaling hiring across regions.
Providing managed support from immigration experts: Our team knows the nuances, common pitfalls, and how to anticipate delays or required follow-ups.
Bundling visa support with payroll, benefits, onboarding. Foreign hires become fully integrated employees without burdening your internal HR — from employment contract to residency compliance to payroll and benefits delivery.

Plus: If your new hire has dependents (spouse or minor children), we can help with dependent permits, housing support, and compliance with resident-application requirements.

Find out what specific permits or visas in the U.K. we support under our Employer of Record and RemoVisa service.

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Disclaimer

This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and work permit requirements in the United Kingdom may change, and the final decisions are made by local authorities. Always consult with immigration professionals — like through our RemoVisa service — for the most up-to-date and personalized guidance.

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