Who can work in the UK
This information is an overview of the requirements for non-British Citizens to work in the UK. Although we review and update the information regularly, you should not take any of the information as definitive. We have included links which will take you through to relevant section within the Governments UK Border Agency and we recommend that you utilise these if you have any further questions or wish to progress with applying for work in the UK.
1. Highly Skilled Workers, Investors and Entrepreneurs
Applicants in all the points based system categories will be subject to General Grounds for Refusal. This means that even if the applicant qualifies under the specific category of the Rules under which he/she is applying to come here, there may be other reasons (such as his/her previous immigration history), that may lead to the application being refused.
The highly skilled worker category is designed to allow highly skilled people to come to the United Kingdom to look for work or self-employment opportunities. Unlike sponsored skilled workers - tier 2, you do not need a job offer to apply under the highly skilled worker category. When you apply you are awarded points based on your qualifications, previous earnings, United Kingdom experience, age, English language skills, and available maintenance (funds).
For further information: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier1/general/#header2
2. Tier 2 (Sponsored Skilled Workers)
Tier 2 is broken down into four categories:
General – for people coming to the United Kingdom with a job offer to fill a gap that cannot be filled by a settled worker, this category is also for applicants coming to fill shortage occupations.
Intra Company Transfers - for employees of multi-national companies who are being transferred by an overseas employer to a skilled job in a United Kingdom based branch of the organisation.
Sportsperson - for elite sportspeople and coaches whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at the highest level.
Ministers of Religion – for those people coming to fill a vacancy as a Minister of Religion, Missionary, or Member of a Religious Order.
For further information: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/tier2guidance.pdf
3. Tier 5 (Temporary Worker)
An applicant must have both a sponsor and a valid certificate of sponsorship before applying. Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) has five sub-5. categories:
Creative and sporting - for people coming to the United Kingdom to work or perform as sports people, entertainers or creative artists for up to 12 months.
Charity workers – for people coming to the United Kingdom to do voluntary work and/or unpaid work for a charity.
Religious workers – for people coming to the United Kingdom to work as religious workers. Duties may include preaching, pastoral and non pastoral work
Government authorised exchange – for people coming to the United Kingdom through approved schemes that aim to share knowledge, experience and best practice.
International agreement – for people coming to the United Kingdom under contract to provide a service that is covered under international law.
Applicants in all the points based system categories will be subject to General Grounds for Refusal. This means that even if the applicant qualifies under the specific category of the Rules under which he/she is applying to come here, there may be other reasons (such as his/her previous immigration history), that may lead to the application being refused.
For further information: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier5/internationalagreement/
4. European Economic Area and Swiss nationals
All EEA and Swiss nationals are free to enter and live in the United Kingdom without the need to apply for permission. If you are a national of a country that joined the European Union (EU) in 2004 you may need to register with when you start work. If you are a national of Bulgaria or Romania, you may need to apply for permission before you start to work.
All other EEA and Swiss nationals are free to take work in the United Kingdom without needing to apply for our permission.
For further information: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/eea/
5. Worker Registration Scheme
If you are a citizen of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia, and want to work for an employer in the United Kingdom for more than one month, you will normally have to register under the Worker Registration Scheme.
For further information: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/eea/
6. Other categories
Clinical attachments and dental observer posts - You may apply to come to the United Kingdom to take a clinical attachment or a dental observer post for a maximum of six months.
Domestic workers - You may apply to come to the United Kingdom to work as a domestic worker in a private household.
Entertainers - You may come to the United Kingdom as an entertainer without a work permit.
Film crew on location - If you are part of a film crew on location you may come to the United Kingdom without a work permit.
Overseas qualified doctors taking the PLAB test - You may apply to come to the United Kingdom to take the performance and linguistic assessments board (PLAB) test if you are an overseas qualified doctor.
Postgraduate doctors and dentist - You may apply to come to the United Kingdom as a postgraduate doctor or dentist.
Sole representatives of overseas firms - You may be able come to the United Kingdom as a sole representative of an overseas firm without a work permit.
This section contains information about other work-based categories available to people wanting to come to the United Kingdom to work. It is currently under review and it is likely that these categories will be incorporated into a new visitor category.
For further information: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/othercategories/