As from 1 January 2021, any overseas nationals that needs permission to enter or remain in the UK can apply for this visa type.

If the overseas national is from the EU, if they were not in the UK before 2021, they will also fall under these visa types.

Yes, you do.

You can contact any UK business, public sector organisation or charity and apply to their vacancy positions.

If you want to find out in advance if they hold a sponsor licence, click here and if the sponsor is not listed. If not listed, they could an application pending or simply not applied yet.

If the propsoed sponsor does not have a sponsor licence yet and would like to have one to sponsor you, contact us today and we guide you and the sponsor what to do.

Yes, you can switch to this visa route if you hold a valid UK visa and the visa type you hold is on the non-approved list:

• as a Visitor; or
• as a Short-term student; or
• as a Parent of a Child Student; or
• as a Seasonal Worker; or
• as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
• outside the Immigration Rules.

If you have one of the above visa types you cannot apply within the UK for this visa type.

Once you accept an ‘unconditional’ job offer under sponsorship, you are in a legally binding contract of employment. A ‘conditional’ job offer can be withdrawn if you fail to meet the employer’s conditions which can include:

• Satisfactory references
• Health records
• CRB check

Employment contract types

It is likely your UK sponsor will offer you one of these:

• Full-time or part-time contracts; or
• Fixed Term.

As the sponsored job falls under the immigration rules, other conditions apply such as:

• If your visa application is refused
• Your visa is approved but you fail to turn up for work.
• Your sponsor has their sponsor licence revoked.
• Your visa falls under curtailment.

If your employer withdraws their job offer, legal action can be taken but only in certain cases such as:

• Discrimination can be proved.
• The job offer was unconditional, or the applicant has met all conditions.
• The job was conditional, but you did not meet the conditions (you cannot take legal action).

If your employment commences under immigration control, you have the same rights as any other UK employee except for one area:

• your employment could cease if your visa is under a permanent employment contract.

Tip: You should not resign from your current employer until the following is obtained:

• Employment job offer or letter of intent or unconditional’ job offer has been signed by the employer.
• You received confirmation that your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) has been assigned to you.
• The Home Office approves your new work visa*.

The eligible occupation codes are all 4-digit numbers. The 4-digit number defines the salary you must be paid regardless of the £25,600 threshold.

If you were offered a job as a professional electrical engineer, the 4-digit code you would fall under 2123. The salary rate for 2123 is a mimimum salary of £37,000 based on a 39-hour working week or £18.24 per hour.

If you are to be employed under 40 hours per week, your annual income must be £37,939.20 which means the £25,600.00 base saalry does not apply to you.

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You are permitted to take secondary employment up to 20 hours per week but you must comply to these guidelines:

• Secondary job must be in the same 'Occuptation Code' or
• General 'Occuptation Code' falls under the shortage occupation list or
• Health & Education 'Occuptation Code' falls under the shortage occupation list. 

Leave to Enter

If you are applying to enter the UK on these visa types, you can apply within 3 months before the day you are due to start your work.

The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) 'Work Start Date' governs this date. If the CoS work date states 1/6/2022, you cannot submit your visa before the 1/3/2022. If you do, your application will be rejected.

The visa processing times are:

• Standard = 3 week (15 working days)*
• Priority = 1 week (5 working days)*
• Super Priority = 1 working day*

Leave to Remain

If you have a valid UK visa and you plan to extend your visa or switch into visa category, the processing times are:

• Standard = 8 weeks (40 working days)*
• Priority = 1 week (5 working days)*
• Super Priority = 1 working day*

*The days stated could be affected by the following:

1. Bank holidays in the UK and overseas
2. Natural disasters such as Covid-19
3. Ukraine war
4. Your UK or overseas good character or immigration history
5. Failing to provide the Home Office the correct information / documents.

Note: The visa processing times commences from the date of your biometric appointment unless you use the ID App to submit your biometrics, then the processing time starts from when you submit yuor documents online. Also note, when a visa decision is made, you need to allow for time for your passport to be returned to the overseas commercial partner office (unless you paid for courier service to your home or office).

Leave to Enter visa applications

Most overseas commercial partners offer the service where you can pay a fee to retain your passport whilst the Home Office is assessing your application. If you pay this fee, you can travel but you must return to the overseas visa centre when requested to allow a visa sticker to be entered into your passport for UK travel.

Leave to Remain visa applications

If you have submitted your visa application and processed your biometrics, you are not permitted to travel outside of UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you receive a visa decision. Your application could be withdrawn if you do.

If you submitted your visa application online but yet to submit your biometrics, it might be possible to travel, contact us first for guidance.

If you hold dual nationalities and hold another passport, you may be permitted to travel. Contact us first for guidance.

The TB (tuberculosis) certificate is only required if applying to enter the UK under certain conditions.

Who does not need a TB?

• Applying as a diplomat accredited to the UK
• Coming back to the UK as a returning UK resident and have not been away from the UK longer than 2 years.
• You have lived for at least 6 months in a country where TB screening is not required by the UK, and you have been away from that country for no more than 6 months.

Which country nationals require a TB certificate?

The Home Office has produced a country ID list, click here to see if the passport nationality you hold is listed.

Important Notice

If you do not use the approved clinic per country ID, the test certificate issued to you will be rejected by the Home Office.

What if I am a child?

Children under the age of 18 should see a clinician who will decide if they need a chest x-ray or not. Note: Children aged under 11 will normally have a chest x-ray.

What if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant the conditions are different, you will be offered one of these options:

• Have an x-ray with an extra shield to protect you and your unborn child in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters or
• Take a sputum test (phlegm coughed up from your lungs). You could have to wait 8 weeks for a decision and this option is likely to incur an additional fee or
• Wait until after delivery of your child if your UK entry is not urgent.

Sputum Test but no TB certificate

If I have a sputum test showing 'Negative' and you cannot obtain a TB certificate, but you urgently need to submit a visa application to enter the UK, is this possible? Yes, it is.

If you explain in your visa application the 'genuine' reason why you cannot obtain a TB certificate, submit the sputum test evidence and state will forward when have access to it, the caseworker is unlikely to process your visa application until received, the caseworker is likely to email you requesting this evidence. 

Our advice to avoid a visa refusal or delays, obtain the TB certificate first, then submit your visa application.

If you need to see if a UK organisation has a sponsor licence you can check here.

Under column 'Type & Rating' we have:

• Worker (A Rating)
• Temporary Worker (A Rating)
• Worker (A (SME+)).

Then under 'Route' we have:

• Charity Worker
• Creative Worker
• Global Business Mobility: Graduate Trainee
• Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker
• International Sportsperson
• Skilled Worker
• Tier 2 Ministers of Religion.

A Rating means the UK organisation holds a valid sponsor licence.

If you see B Rating, this means the organisation is in breach of minor offences and the Home Office has allowed them 90 days to correct these issues.

What if a company I want to approach is not listed?

We have 3 potential reasons:

1. UK organisation has yet to apply for a sponsor licence; or
2. UK organisation has applied for a sponsor licence and the decision is still pending; or
3. The UK organisation could have a sponsor licence as is either trading under a different name or part of a sponsor licence group licence.

The Home Office has different processing times if you are planning to enter or remain in the UK.

They have two links that can help you understand their processing times, go to UK entry visa processing times) and Service standards to explore more.

If you need a visa decision in a hurry, contact us to see if a priority or super priority options are available.

The UK Sponsor must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and assign it to you.

You must be aged 18 or over at the time you submit your visa application to the Home Office.

The CoS is a virtual work permit which is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter the UK, switch into the visa route and extend employment under this visa route.

Read below eligibility for who can obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) under this visa type.

The UK sponsor can only assign two types of CoSs:

• Defined CoS (Leave to Enter visa applications only).
• Undefined CoS (Leave to Remain applications only).

A 'Defined' CoS basically replaces the previous version called 'Restricted CoS'. The UK sponsor makes a request to the Home Office via their Sponsorship Management System (SMS). Normally in a few working days the Home Office approves or rejects the CoS request.

Once approved, the CoS can be assigned instantly to the approved overseas national.

You must score points for this visa type. If you score the 50 points, this means you should qualify under this visa route if the points are legitimate.

You will need:

• 20 points for Sponsorship
• 20 points for job at the appropriate level
• 10 points for English language.

The points options will depend on several factors which is explained below.

We have tradeable and non-tradeable points.

Tradable points:

• Salary of £20,480 (minimum) – £23,039 equal 0 points.
• Salary of £23,040 – £25,599 equals 10 points.
• Salary of £25,600 or above equals 20 points.
• Job in a shortage occupation (as designated by the MAC) equals 20 points.
• Education qualification: PhD in subject relevant to the job equals 10 points.
• Education qualification: PhD in a STEM. subject relevant to the job equals 20 points.

Non-tradeable points

• Offer of job by approved sponsor equals 20 points.
• Job at appropriate skill level equals 20 points.
• Speaks English at required level equals 10 points.

Based on the above the minimum salary permitted with tradeable points is £20,480.00. Any salary below this you will not obtain a visa under Skilled worker.

See below how can I achieve the mandatory points required.

The key to obtaining sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route is obtaining the right salary. The base salary is £25,600 unless you can obtain tradeable points or you occupation code salary is greater than £25,600 per annum meaning, you must be paid higher than base salary. Note: Skilled Worker salaries are based on 39 hours per week.

Also note that the occupation code must be in Table 1 or Table 2 and the job is at or above RQF Level 3 plus, you can provide evidence of meeting the English requirements for the visa route. 

You need to achieve 50 points for this visa route and below will guide you further.

We will provide you two examples how the tradeable points work: 

Example 1: Occupation code 2136 Programmers and software development professionals.

Base salary for 2136 is £33,300 (based on 39 hours per week) or £16.42 per hour.

Example 2: Occupation code 1190 Managers and directors in retail and wholesale.

Base salary for 1190 is £21,900 (based on 39 hours per week) or £10.80 per hour.

Tradeable points flow like this:

90% of going rate (Skilled Worker - option B)

80% of going rate (Skilled Worker - options C and D)

70% of going rate (Skilled Worker - option E)

Option A = The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds all of the following:

£25,600 per year;

£10.10 per hour; and

the going rate for the occupation code.

Note: Option A does not apply to example 1 as the salary must be at or above £33,300.

Option B = Educational qualification: PhD in a subject relevant to the job and the applicant’s salary equals or exceeds all of the following:

• £23,040 per year;
• £10.10 per hour; and
• 90% of the going rate for the occupation code.

In this entry, 10 points will be awarded for the educational qualification and 10 points will be awarded for the applicant’s salary.

Note: Option B only applies if you have a PhD and you can reduce the example salaries down by 10%.

Option C = Educational qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and the applicant’s salary equals or exceeds all of the following:

• £20,480 per year;
• £10.10 per hour; and
• 80% of the going rate for the occupation code.

Note: Option C only applies if you have a PhD in a STEM subject and you can reduce the example salaries down by 20%.

Option D = Job in a shortage occupation and the applicant’s salary equals or exceeds all of the following:

• £20,480 per year;
• £10.10 per hour; and
• 80% of the going rate for the occupation code, for occupation codes where a going rate is specified.

Note: Option D only applies if you occupation code is on the shortage occupation, if yes, you can reduce the example salaries down by 20%.

Option E = Applicant is a new entrant to the labour market and their salary equals or exceeds all of the following:

• £20,480 per year;
• £10.10 per hour; and
• 70% of the going rate for the occupation code.

Note: Option E only applies if you’re a new entrant to the labour market, if yes, you can reduce the example salaries down by 20%.

When calculating the tradeable points, if the salary goes below £20,480 per year or £10.10 per hour, you visa will be refused.

A New entrant normally refers to a student in the UK that has graduated and obtained one of these qualifications:

• a UK bachelor’s degree; or
• a UK master’s degree; or
• a UK PhD or other doctoral qualification; or
• a Postgraduate Certificate in Education; or
• a Professional Graduate Diploma of Education; and the applicant has completed (or is applying no more than 3 months before they are expected to complete) the course in (iii) above, or the applicant is studying a PhD and has completed at least 12 months study in the UK towards the PhD, or (g) the applicant’s most recent permission, other than as a visitor, was as a Graduate, and that permission is either current or expired less than 2 years before the date of application.

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You are permitted to switch to this visa type if you hold a valid UK visa.

If you hold one of these visa types, you cannot switch within the UK:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds.

You can:

• Work in an eligible job
• Do additional work (up to 20 hours per week) in the same occupation code and at the same level as your main job in a shortage occupation.
• Do voluntary work
• Study in the UK
• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
• Leave and enter the UK multiple times
• Apply under settlement status once met the qualifying period which is normally 5 years. You must meet the other eligibility requirements.

You cannot:

• Apply or access most benefits that includes public funds or the State Pension.
• Change your occupation code or employer without the Home Office approval unless otherwise stated such as Covid-19 concession rules.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for a Skilled Worker
• Suitability requirements for a Skilled Worker
• Eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker
• Settlement as a Skilled Worker
• Dependants of a Skilled Worker

To see these rules click here.

Yes, you can.

This visa route allows you to sponsor the following types of family members to enter or switch from a current UK valid visa:

• your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner.
• your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay.
• your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant.

Click here to read the Home Office guidance for UK sponsors who plan to employ a person under this visa type.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

The UK Sponsor must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to assign to you.

The CoS is a virtual work permit that is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter the UK, switch and extend employment under this visa route.

If your UK sponsor falls under the NHS or is regulated as an adult social care, you can apply.

A Health and Care Worker visa allows qualified doctors, nurses, and health and adult social care professionals to come to the UK to do eligible healthcare or social care work.

Note: This visa category now caters to Senior Carer and Care workers.

You must be aged 18 or over at the time, you submit your visa application to the Home Office.

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1. An NHS Foundation Trust in England, an NHS Trust in England, the Care Quality Commission, Health Education England, Health Research Authority, Human Fertilization, and Embryology Authority, Human Tissue Authority, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, NHS Blood and Transplant, NHS Business Services Authority, NHS Digital (the Health and Social Care Information Centre), NHS England (the NHS Commissioning Board), NHS Improvement (Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority, NHS Resolution (the NHS Litigation Authority or Public Health England, a Local Authority or Clinical Commissioning Group; or
2. A local Health Board in Wales, Health Education & Improvement Wales, Public Health Wales, The Welsh Ambulance Service or Velindre NHS Trust; or
3. A Health Board or Special Health Board constituted under section 2 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978, Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service (established under Section 10 of that Act), Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (known as the Care Inspectorate) established under Section 44 of the Public Services (Reform) (Scotland) Act 2010 or Scottish Social Services Council established under section 43 of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001; or
4. A Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, Northern Ireland Guardian Ad Litem Agency, Northern Ireland Medical, and Dental Training Agency, Northern Ireland Practice, and Education Committee, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, Patient, and Client Council, Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-Being (the Public Health Agency), Regional Business Services Organisation, Regional Health and Social Care Board or Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority; or
5. A person who is employed to provide, or to support the provision of, regulated activities as prescribed in Schedule 1 (read with Schedule 2) to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2936), and who is also employed or engaged by an institution or organisation registered with the Care Quality Commission; or 
6. For the purposes of an establishment or agency in Wales regulated under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000; or 
7. For the purposes of a service regulated under Part 1 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016; or
8. A person who is employed or engaged by a party to a general medical services contract to provide primary medical services, or an agreement for the provision of primary medical services under section 50 of the NHS (Wales) Act 2006; or 
9. A general dental services contract to provide primary dental services, or an agreement for the provision of primary dental services under section 64 of the NHS (Wales) Act 2006; or
10. A person who is providing care services as defined in section 47(1) of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and registered under that Act; or 
11. Is employed or engaged by an organisation registered with Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland; or 
12. Is, or who is employed or engaged in connection with the provision of services under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 by, a party (other than a Health Board) to: - an arrangement to provide services under section 2C of that Act; - an agreement to provide services under section 17C of that Act; - a contract to provide services under section 17J of that Act; or - an arrangement to provide services under section 25, 26 or 27 of that Act; or
13. A person who is employed or engaged by a General Practitioner Federation or by any entity with which the Northern Ireland Regional Health and Social Care Board has a contract or an arrangement under the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 to provide Family Practitioner Services; or
14. A person who is employed or engaged by a body registered with, or monitored or inspected by, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority, and who, if that body were in England and they were employed or engaged by it, would meet the criteria set out in (vi) a), above; or
15. A person employed or engaged by, or registered with, one of the following organisations: General Chiropractic Council; General Dental Council; General Medical Council; General Optical Council; General Osteopathic Council; General Pharmaceutical Council; Health and Care Professions Council; Northern Ireland Social Care Council; Nursing and Midwifery Council; Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland; Scottish Social Services Council (under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001) or Social Care Wales, or
16. A person employed by an organisation providing adult social care services. Adult social care services mean any services which an English Local Authority must or may provide or arrange to be provided under section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 – (After-care) / Part 1 of the Care Act 2014 (Care and Support). 

You must score points for this visa type. If you score 50 points, this means you should qualify under this visa route which is the same as 'Skilled Worker' if the points are legitimate.

The key is finding the correct 'Occupational Code', not every job title under a code is permitted so you might want to search for similar job titles that are approved. Note: The key in the Home Office eyes is not the job title itself but more your job role as this defines your job. 

The points options will depend on several factors which is explained below.

There are different salary rules if you work in some healthcare or education jobs. The ‘going rates’ for these jobs are based on the national pay scales set by the relevant independent body, for example the NHS.

Click here to see the table of national pay scales for eligible healthcare jobs - listed by NHS pay band and area of the UK.

Click here to see the table of national pay scales for eligible teaching and education leadership jobs - listed by role and area of the UK.

If you have been offered a sponsored job under occupation code 6145 (6145 Care workers and home carers) or 6146 (Senior care workers) these codes are now under the UK Shortage Occupational List meaning you do not need to earn the base salary of £25600 per annum.

As long as your sponsor pays you  £20,480 per annum you will have met the salary requirements.

To find the latest list, click here and check section called 'Check if an occupation code is eligible for this visa'. You can also click here for job titles to each 'Occupation code'.

If the 'Occupation Code' is not listed, you still might be able to apply but you will need to apply under 'Skilled Worker'.

If you click here, you will see a menu of 'Occupation Codes'. These codes are 4-digits and define job titles and job roles.

We have several under Care, they include:

• 1184 = Social services managers and directors (Care manager (local government: social services) Service manager (welfare services)).
• 1241 = Health care practice managers (Clinic manager GP practice manager Veterinary practice manager).
• 1242 = Residential, day, and domiciliary care managers and proprietors (Care manager Day center manager, Nursing home owner, and Residential manager (residential home)).
• 3564 = Careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists (Careers adviser, Careers consultant, Careers teacher & Placement officer).
• 6122 = Childminders and related occupations (Au pair, Child care assistant, Childminder & Nanny)
• 6144 = Houseparents and residential wardens (Foster carer, Matron (residential home), Resident warden, Team leader (residential care home) & Warden (sheltered housing).

If you feel one of these 'Occupation Codes' is suitable for you, go to the section above 'Long-term work visa - Skilled Workers' to learn more.

You will need to meet different salary requirements for this visa type if your job offer is in one of the following occupation codes:

• 2112: biological scientists and biochemists
• 2113: physical scientists.

Normally your salary should be at least £25,600 unless the occupation code is higher which they are.

2112 salary is £29,700 (£14.64 per hour)

2113 salary is £36,500 (£18.00 per hour)

The above salary can be 70% to 90% of the occupation code going rate if one of the following applies:

• Your job is in a shortage occupation., or
• You aged under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training, or
• You have a science, technology, engineering, or maths (STEM) Ph.D. level qualification that’s relevant to your job*
• You have a postdoctoral position in a scientific role.

*The salary cannot fall below £20480.00 unless you have a relevant Ph.D. level qualification in any other subject your salary must be at least £23,040.

Initially, 5 years with the option to extend the visa. The majority of people will apply for settlement once been on this visa type for 5 years.

Note: Sponsors are likely to assign a CoS for up to 3 years and then extend a further 2 or 3 years.

You are permitted to switch to this visa type if you hold a valid UK visa.

If you hold one of these visa types, you cannot switch within the UK:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds.

There are areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

1. Validity requirements for a Skilled Worker
2. Suitability requirements for a Skilled Worker
3. Eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker
4. Settlement as a Skilled Worker
5. Dependants of a Skilled Worker

To see these rules click here.

When you process your visa application, all Health and Care Workers will pay less for their visa fee than a Skilled worker. 

Health and Care Workers do not have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge fee. To explore more about the fees click here.

If your visa is confirmed under Health and Care Workers, your visa will be prioritised.

The Home Office has launched a new dedicated NHS support and visa processing team meaning your UK sponsor can contact them to check on your visa process.

You can:

• Do the work as stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Study in the UK as long as it does not interfere with the job you are sponsored to do.
• Do additional work (up to 20 hours per week) in the same occupation code or a job in a shortage occupation.
• Do voluntary work
• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
• Leave and enter the UK multiple times
• Apply under settlement status once met the qualifying period which is normally 5 years. You must meet the other eligibility requirements.

You cannot:

• Apply or access most benefits that include public funds or the State Pension.
• Change your occupation code or employer without the Home Office's approval unless otherwise stated such as Covid-19 concession rules.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for a Skilled Worker
• Suitability requirements for a Skilled Worker
• Eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker
• Settlement as a Skilled Worker
• Dependants of a Skilled Worker

To see these rules click here.

Click here to read the Home Office guidance for UK sponsors who plan to employ a person under this visa type.

Yes, you can.

This visa route allows you to sponsor the following types of family members to enter or switch from a current UK valid visa:

• your husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner.
• your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay.
• your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant.

If you need to understand the guidance for overseas nationals applying for a visa under the Health and Care Worker visa route that falls under the Skilled worker visa route, click here to learn more. 

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

The UK Sponsor must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and assign it to you.

The CoS is a virtual work permit that is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter the UK, switch into the visa route, and extend employment under this visa route.

You must be aged 18 or over at the time, you submit your visa application to the Home Office.

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The UK sponsor must assign a valid CoSs under the Global Business Mobility for a Senior or Specialist Worker and your annual earnings will decide if you can be assigned a CoS or not.

Which of the below annual salaries do you fall under?

• £73,900 per annum or less
• £73,900 per annum or more.

An annual salary below £73,900 will govern that you needed to have been employed by your employer outside the UK for 12 months but if your salary is at or above £73,900 then no you could have just started your overseas employment.

You must score 60 points for this visa type. If you score 60 points, this means you should qualify under this visa route if the points are legitimate.

Sponsorship = 20 points

Job at an appropriate skill level = 20 points

Salary at the required level = 20 points.

Sponsorship

We have visa rules (SNR 1.1. to SNR 23.3), not all relevant as they cover Leave to Enter, Leave to Remain, and family members.

You will need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) confirming the job you will do.  A CoS is a virtual work permit that outlines your job and if the CoS does not comply with the visa type, your visa application is likely to be refused.

These are the 3 key areas you need to meet to apply for a visa:

1. Sponsorship
2. Job at an appropriate skill level
3. Salary at the required level.

Salary at the required level

To meet these visa salary rules the salary assigned to the CoS must be £42,400* per year minimum unless the occupation code has a higher salary rate.

Job at an appropriate skill level

To meet these visa rules your UK sponsor must issue you an appropriate occupation code. The 4-digit code will reflect your job role and salary. If the occupation code salary is higher than £42,400, the higher salary must be paid.

Note: Different rules apply if the person applying for the visa is applying under 'Graduate Trainee or earnings and earnings at or above £73,900.

Appendix Skilled Occupation Table

If you are being paid in Table 1 of the Appendix Skilled Occupation, you have to be paid 100% of the stated salary which is known as the 'Going Rate' which is based on 39 hours per week. Note: In the Table 1, you will see ‘Eligible for the Global Business Mobility (GBM).

Earning between £42,400 to £73,900 you can stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period.

If your earnings are at or above £73,900 you can stay in the UK for a maximum of 9 years in any 10-year period. 

Note: Under this income, the CoS can be assigned for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period.

You can extend this visa type only up to the periods stated in the previous question.

You can usually apply to extend your Senior or Specialist Worker visa from inside the UK if you meet the following:

• You have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK.
• Your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK.
• You are still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship.
• You have not reached the maximum total stay.

The maximum stay in the UK under this visa route is 5 years in any 6-year period or, 9 years in any 10-year period.

You are permitted to switch to this visa type if you hold a valid UK visa.

If you hold one of these visa types, you cannot switch within the UK:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds.

You can:

• Do the work as stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Study in the UK as long as it does not impact your sponsored work.
• Your partner and children (dependants) can join you in the UK if they are eligible for a visa.
• Do voluntary work.
• Travel abroad and return to the UK.

You cannot:

• Apply or access most benefits that include public funds or the State Pension.
• Change your occupation code or employer without the Home Office approval unless otherwise stated such as Covid-19 concession rules.
• Have a second job unless you were previously approved under the Intra-company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long term Staff visa
• Apply to settle in the UK under this visa type.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for Senior or Specialist worker route.
• SuitabwWorker route.
• Eligibility requirements for the Intra-company route.
• Decision on Senior or Specialist worker route.
• Dependants of Senior or Specialist worker route.

To see these rules click here.

Yes, you can.

This visa route allows you to sponsor the following types of family members to enter or switch from a current UK valid visa:

• your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner.
• your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay.
• your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant.

Click here to read the Home Office guidance for UK sponsors who plan to employ a person under this visa type.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

The UK Sponsor must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and assign it to you.

The CoS is a virtual work permit that is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter the UK, switch into the visa route, and extend employment under this visa route.

You must be aged 18 or over at the time, you submit your visa application to the Home Office.

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You must meet these guidelines:

• Have a confirmed job offer to work for an approved scale-up business for at least 6 months.
• Have a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from your sponsored employer confirming the job role you have been offered in the UK.
• Have a job offer to do a job that is on the list of eligible occupations.
• Be paid a minimum salary in your new job.

The base salary offered to you must be one of these:

• £33,000 per year
• £10.10 per year
• the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing.

If the occupation code going rate is higher than £33,000 such as £36,000 your visa will be refused. You need to be earning £36,000. Note: Going rate is calculated on 39 hours per week.

Where the £10.10 comes into play is, regardless of how many hours you work per week, your hourly pay can never fall below £10.10 per hour.

Yes, you do.

You must score 70 points for this visa type. If you score the points, you should qualify under this visa route if the points are legitimate.

Sponsored Application

• Sponsorship, Job at an appropriate skill level and salary at the required level = 50 points; or

Unsponsored Application 

• UK earnings during the most recent permission on the Scale-up route = 50 points; plus

All applications

• English language requirement at level B1 = 10 points; plus
• Financial requirement = 10 points.

If your visa is approved under this visa route, you will be given a 2-year visa. 

You can then extend this visa as many times as you like by 3 years, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.

Note: After 5 years in the UK under this visa route, you can apply to settle in the UK if you meet the eligibility requirements.

You are permitted to switch to this visa type if you hold a valid UK visa.

If you hold one of these visa types, you cannot switch within the UK:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds.

You can:

• Work in your sponsored job for at least 6 months
• Leave your sponsored job after 6 months
• Study
• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
• Take on additional work, including becoming self-employed
• Do voluntary work
• Travel abroad and return to the UK
• Apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you have lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements.

You cannot:

• Apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
• Work as a professional sportsperson, for example, a sports coach

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for a Scale-up Worker
• Suitability requirements for a Scale-up Worker
• Eligibility requirements for a Scale-up Worker
• Points requirement for a Scale-up Worker
• Sponsored Application
• Unsponsored Application
• All Applications by Scale-up Workers
• English language requirement for Scale-up Worker
• Financial requirement for Scale-up Worker
• Decision on an application as a Scale-up worker
• Period and conditions of grant for a Scale-up Worker
• Settlement as a Scale-up Worker
• Validity requirements for settlement as a Scale-up Worker
• Suitability requirements for settlement as a Scale-up Worker
• Eligibility requirements for settlement as a Scale-up Worker
• Decision on an application for settlement as a Scale-up Worker
• Dependent partner (“partner”) and dependent child (“child”) of a Scale-up Worker.
• Validity requirements for a partner or child on the Scale-up route
• Suitability requirements for a partner or child on the Scale-up route
• Eligibility requirements for a partner and child on the Scale-up route
• Relationship requirements for a partner on the Scale-up route
• Relationship requirement for a dependent child on the Scale-up route
• Age requirement for a dependent child on the Scale-up route
• Care requirement for a dependent child on the Scale-up route
• Financial requirement for a partner or child on the Scale-up route
• Decision on application for a partner and child of a Scale-up Worker
• Period and conditions of grant for a partner and child on the Scale-up route
• Settlement for a partner or child on the Scale-up route
• Validity requirements for settlement as a partner or child on the Scale-up route
• Suitability requirements for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child on the Scale-up route
• Eligibility requirements for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child on the Scale-up route
• Relationship requirement for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Scale-up Worker
• Age requirement for settlement as a dependent child on the Scale-up route
• Care requirement for settlement as a dependent child of a Scale-up Worker
• Qualifying period requirement for settlement as a partner on the Scale-up route
• Continuous residence requirement for settlement as a partner on the Scale-up route
• English language requirement for settlement as a partner or child on the Scale-up route
• Knowledge of life in the UK requirement for settlement as a partner or child on the Scale-up route
• Decision on an application for settlement as a partner or child on the Scale-up route

To see these rules click here.

Yes, you can.

This visa route allows you to sponsor the following types of family members to enter or switch from a current UK valid visa:

• your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner.
• your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay.
• your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant.

Click here to read the Home Office guidance for UK sponsors who plan to employ a person under this visa type.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

The UK Sponsor must be registered as a faith-based organisation to be able to sponsor under the minister of religion.

The UK Sponsor must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and assign it to you.

The CoS is a virtual work permit that is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter the UK, switch into the visa route, and extend employment under this visa route.

You must be aged 16 or over at the time, you submit your visa application to the Home Office.

The UK sponsor can only assign one type of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for visa applications that falls under Leave to Enter and Leave to Remain for Minister of Religion.

Once approved, the CoS can be assigned instantly to the approved overseas national.

You must score 70 points for this visa type. If you score the points, this means you should qualify under this visa route if the points are legitimate.

You will need:

• 50 points for ana Certificate of Sponsorship
• 10 points for meeting the financial requirement
• 10 points for meeting the English language at level B2 (intermediate).

Below is a defined list of all job titles for the religious sector with SOC codes as of 2010 changes made by Office for National Statistics:

• Abbot (2444)
• Archbishop (2444)
• Archdeacon (2444)
• Assistant, pastoral (2444)
• Bishop (2444)
• Brother (2444)
• Canon (2444)
• Captain (religious organisation) (3239)
• Captain (Salvation Army (3239)
• Chaplain Chargehand – see Foreman (2444)
• Clergy (2444)
• Clergyman (2444)
• Clerk in holy orders (2444)
• Curate (2444)
• Deacon (2444)
• Dean (2444)
• Ecclesiastic (2444)
• Elder, church (3239)
• Enabler, mission (3239)
• Evangelist (3239)
• Friar (2444)
• Healer (3239)
• Imam (2444)
• Incumbent (2444)
• Major (Salvation Army) (2444)
• Member of Religious Community (2444)
• Minister (religious organisation) (2444)
• Minister of religion (2444)
• Missionary (2444)
• Missioner (2444)
• Moderator (Presbyterian Church) (2444)
• Monk (2444)
• Nun (2444)
• Officer, Army, Church (2444)
• Officer, Army, Salvation (2444)
• Pastor (2444)
• Practitioner, Science, Christian (2444)
• Preacher, lay (3239)
• Preacher, local (2444)
• Prebendary (2444)
• Priest (2444)
• Prior (2444)
• Rabbi (2444)
• Reader, lay (3239)
• Rector (2444)
• Sister (religious organisation) (2444)
• Spiritualist (2444)
• Superior, lady (2444)
• Superior, mother (2444)
• Theologian (2444)
• Vicar (2444)
• Worker, army, Church (3239)
• Worker, church (3239)

Pastoral duties include:

• Leading worship regularly and on special occasions.
• Providing religious education for children and adults by preaching or Teaching; however, you must not use this route to recruit teachers in Schools or colleges, even if the school or college is maintained by a Religious order –teachers should normally be sponsored on the Skilled Worker route.
• Leading marriages, funerals, and other special services.
• Offering counselling and welfare support to members of the organisation.
• Recruiting, training, and co-ordinating work of local volunteers and lay preachers.

The duties of a missionary may include the organisation of missionary activity, but should not be mainly administrative or clerical, unless you will be filling a senior post. 

A senior post may be one which does not involve you doing fieldwork, but where they you will be supervising staff and/or co-ordinating the organisation of missionary work. You may also be in charge of activities such as accounts, finance, personnel management or IT. 

Working full-time as a teacher in a school run by a church or missionary organisation does not count as missionary work, but translating religious texts does.

A religious order is defined for our purposes as a lineage of communities or of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion, and which must be part of a bona fide religious organisation. This includes, for example, a monastic community of monks or nuns, or a similar religious community involving a permanent commitment.

The work must be within the order itself, or outside work directed by the order. Teachers working in schools, whether or not maintained by their order, must be sponsored on the Skilled Worker route. Novices whose training takes place in the daily community life of their order can be sponsored on this route, but anyone studying for a qualification on a formal full-time course or training in an academic institution not maintained by the order should be sponsored on the Student route.

Similarly, people who are not members of a religious order, but who are working or studying within such a community, are not.

Initially 3 years and 1 month with the option to extend if the UK sponsor agrees to carry on sponsoring you. Note: 3 years and one month will depend on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)  work dates as this is calculated at a maximum of 3 years and 14 days. This is because you are permitted to enter the UK 14 days before your CoS work start date.

You can extend your visa by a further 3 years but note, the maximum you can stay in the UK on this visa route is 6 years.

Tip: If your plans are to settle in the UK via this visa route, we recommend only requesting your CoS for 5 years in total otherwise, you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for the sixth year which is free under the settlement visa route.

Minister of Religion

• Work carried out must be mainly pastoral in nature.
• UK sponsor does not need to meet the Resident Labour Market Test.
• Must have 5.5 in all 4 English categories if providing IELTS test certificate.
• Can be sponsored for up to 6 years.
• Switching in the UK is permitted.
• No cooling-off period if wanting to come back to the UK after 6 years or left the UK before 6 years.
• If the applicant has in the last 12 months received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK, they must provide written consent to the application from that Government or agency.
• This visa type can lead to UK settlement status.

Religious Worker

• Work carried out must involve religious duties to support the activities of religious institutions.
• The job role can either be pastoral or non-pastoral and can include working in a religious order.
• UK sponsor does need to meet the Resident Labour Market Test (see page 20 or 27).
• English evidence is not required.
• Can be sponsored up to 2 years.
• Switching in the UK is permitted.
• Cooling-off period is required once departed the UK which is 12 months before you can apply again. If you qualify for Minister of Religion, cooling-off period does not apply so you can come back to the UK as soon as you can obtain sponsorship.
• This visa type does not lead to UK settlement status.

A supernumerary job role is deemed to be above the UK sponsor normal staffing requirements which means the role is not a job vacancy. 

If the job roole is vital then it does not fall under supernumerary.

You are permitted to switch to this visa type if you hold a valid UK visa.

If you hold one of these visa types, you cannot switch within the UK:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker on a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds.

You can:

• Do the work as stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Study in the UK as long as it does not interfere with the job you are sponsored to do.
• Do a second job either in the same profession or a profession on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list.
• Do voluntary work.
• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.
• Leave and enter the UK multiple times.
• Apply under settlement status once met the qualifying period which is normally 5 years. You must meet the other eligibility requirements.

You cannot:

• You can own more than 10% of your sponsor shares unless your annual income is at or above £159,6000 a year.
• Apply or access most benefits that include public funds or the State Pension.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for a T2 Minister of Religion.
• Suitability requirements for a T2 Minister of Religion.
• Eligibility requirements for a T2 Minister of Religion.
• Decision on an application as a T2 Minister of Religion
• Settlement as a T2 Minister of Religion.
• Dependants of a T2 Minister of Religion.

To see these rules click here.

Click here to read the Home Office guidance for UK sponsors who plan to employ a person under this visa type.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

The UK Sponsor must be a UK-based sporting body, sports club, events organiser, or other organiser operating, or intending to operate, in the sporting sector. The UK sponsor must be endorsed by the relevant Home Office-approved, sports governing body.

The UK Sponsor must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and assign it to you.

The CoS is a virtual work permit that is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter the UK, switch into the visa route, and extend employment under this visa route.

Read below the eligibility for who can obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) under this visa type.

The UK sponsor can only assign one type of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and the 'Occuptation codes' for this type of sponsorship must fall under one of these:

• 3441: Sports players
• 3442: Sports coaches, instructors and officials.

A key element of the CoS is the person being sponsored has been approved and issued a letter by one of the relevant sports governing bodies.

If your sport does not have a Home Office-approved sports governing body you should email the Economic Migration Policy team (email: economicmigrationpolicy@homeoffice.gov.uk). 

The Home Office will ask the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Sport and Recreational Alliance (SRA), and/or other sports councils to identify if there is a suitable body that could act as a recognised sports governing body.

You must score points for this visa type and if you score the 70 points required, this meets the immigration rules if the 70 points are legitimate.

• 50 points for a valid Certificate of Sponsorship
• 10 points for meeting the financial requirements*
• 10 points for meeting the English language at level A1.

*Financials will depend on whether you need a visa to enter the UK and whether the UK sponsor will certify maintenance for you.

Your finances

If you plan to use your own savings to meet the financial requirements, you will need £1270.00 in your bank account. The money must be  available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa. Note: If the funds during the 28 days drop below £1270.00, this might mean you do not get your 10 points so you can use multiple bank accounts and other savings to meet the £1270 threshold.

Initially 3 years and 1 month with the option to extend if the UK sponsor agrees to carry on sponsoring you. Note: 3 years and one month will depend on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)  work dates as this is calculated at a maximum of 3 years and 14 days. This is because you are permitted to enter the UK 14 days before your CoS work start date.

You can extend your visa by a further 3 years but note, the maximum you can stay in the UK on this visa route is 6 years.

Tip: If your plans are to settle in the UK via this visa route, we recommend only request your CoS for 5 years in total otherwise, you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for the 6 year which is free under the settlement visa route.

It is permissible for sports players to move on loan if all of the following apply:

• they have permission as a T2 Sportsperson/International Sportsperson.
• they are sponsored by a sports club.
• they are sponsored as a player and are being temporarily loaned to another sports club.
• player loans are specifically permitted in rules set down by the relevant sports governing body.
• their sponsor has made arrangements with the loan club to enable to the sponsor to continue to meet its sponsor duties.
• the player will return to working for the sponsor at the end of the loan.

You are permitted to switch to this visa type if you hold a valid UK visa.

If you hold one of these visa types, you cannot switch within the UK:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds.

If you have received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK in the last 12 months, they must provide you written consent to the application from that Government or agency. The letter of consent should be on official letter-headed paper or stationery of that organisation(s), bearing the official stamp of that organisation and issued by an authorised official of that organisation. The documents must confirm that the organisation gives the applicant unconditional consent to remain in or re-enter the UK for an unlimited time.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for a T2 Sportsperson.
• Suitability requirements for a  T2 Sportsperson.
• Eligibility requirements for a T2 Sportsperson.
• Decision on application as  T2 Sportsperson.
• Settlement as T2 Sportsperson.
• Dependants on the T2 Sportsperson route.

To see these rules click here.

You can:

• Do the work as stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Do a second job in the same profession as being sponsored or a profession on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list
• Do voluntary work.
• Play for your national team in the UK
• Work as a sports broadcaster
• Study in the UK as long as it does not interfere with the job you are sponsored to do.
• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.
• Leave and enter the UK multiple times.
• Apply under settlement status once met the qualifying period which is normally 5 years. You must meet the other eligibility requirements.

You cannot:

• Get public funds
• Start or run a business
• Apply for a second job until you have started working for your sponsor.

Click here to read the Home Office guidance for UK sponsors who plan to employ a person under this visa type.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

As from 1 January 2021, any overseas nationals that needs permission to enter or remain in the UK can apply for this visa type.

If the overseas national is from the EU, if they were not in the UK before 2021, they will also fall under these visa types.

These visa routes are short-term and you need to check each visa route for their visa durations and associated immigration rules.

Yes, you do in most visa routes.

If you are applying under the Youth Mobility Scheme, you might not need a UK sponsor.

Yes and no, you will need to check each visa route and see which ones permit switching.

Once you accept an ‘unconditional’ job offer, you are in a legally binding contract of employment. A ‘conditional’ job offer can be withdrawn if you fail to meet the employer’s conditions which can include:

• Satisfactory references
• Health records
• CRB check

Employment contract types

It is likely your UK sponsor will offer you one of these:

• Full-time and part-time contracts; or
• Fixed Term.

If the job falls under the immigration rules, other conditions apply such as:

• If your visa application is refused
• Your visa is approved but you fail to turn up for work.
• Your sponsor has their sponsor licence revoked.
• Your visa falls under curtailment.

If your employer withdraws their job offer, legal action can be taken but only in certain cases such as:

• Discrimination can be proved
• The job offer was unconditional, or the applicant has met all conditions
• The job was conditional, but you did not meet the conditions (you cannot take legal action).

If your employment commences under immigration control, you have the same rights as any other UK employee except for one area:

• your employment could cease if your visa is not under a permanent employment contract.

Tip: You should not resign from your current employer until the following is obtained:

• Employment job offer or letter of intent or unconditional’ job offer has been signed by the employer.
• You received confirmation that your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) has been assigned to you
• The Home Office approves your new work visa*.

Under Covid-19 rules, if a CoS has been assigned to you and you want to start the job before the Home Office approves your visa is approved, you can but if the visa is refused you must stop your job. If this applies to you, click here for guidance.

Each visa route will have different guidelines to how much you must be paid. Check each visa type below to learn more.

Some visa routes allow you to take secondary employment up to 20 hours per week but you must comply to certain guidelines. 

Check each visa route to see if secondary employment is permitted.

Leave to Enter

If you are applying to enter the UK on these visa types, you can apply within 3 months before the day you are due to start your work.

The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) 'Work Start Date' governs this date. If the CoS work date states 1/6/2021, you cannot submit your visa before 1/3/2021. If you do, your application will be rejected.

The visa processing times are:

• Standard = 3 weeks (15 working days)*
• Priority = 1 week (5 working days)*^
• Super Priority = 1 working day*^

Leave to Remain

If you have a valid UK visa and you plan to extend your visa or switch to the visa category, the processing times are:

• Standard = 8 weeks (40 working days)*
• Priority = 1 week (5 working days)*^
• Super Priority = 1 working day*^

*The days stated could be affected by the following:

1. Bank holidays in the UK and overseas
2. Natural disasters
3. Pandemics such as Covid-19
4. Your UK or overseas good character or immigration history
5. Failing to provide the Home Office with the correct information/documents.

Note: The visa processing times commence from the date of your biometric appointment. Also note, when a visa decision is made, you need to allow for time for your passport to be returned to the overseas commercial partner office (unless you paid for courier service to your home or office).

^Due to Covid-19, some overseas visa centres are permitting these services but, in the UK, they are slowly about to return. Check with us to verify if priority and super priority are now available.

Leave to Enter visa applications

Most overseas commercial partners offer the service where you can pay a fee to retain your passport whilst the Home Office is assessing your application. If you pay this fee, you can travel but you must return to the overseas visa centre when requested to do so as a visa sticker is required to be entered into your passport for UK travel.

Leave to Remain visa applications

If you have submitted your visa application and processed your biometrics, you are not permitted to travel outside of UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

If you submitted your visa application online but yet to submit your biometrics, it might be possible to travel, contact us first for guidance.

If you hold dual nationalities and hold another passport, you may be permitted to travel. Contact us first for guidance.

A TB (tuberculosis) certificate is only required if applying to enter the UK under certain conditions.

Who does not need a TB?

• Applying as a diplomat accredited to the UK
• Coming back to the UK as a returning UK resident and have not been away from the UK longer than 2 years.
• You have lived for at least 6 months in a country where TB screening is not required by the UK, and you have been away from that country for no more than 6 months.

Who must obtain a TB certificate before submitting their visa application?

The Home Office has produced a country ID list, click here to see if the passport you hold is listed.

Important Notice

If you do not use the approved clinic per country ID, the test certificate issued to you will be rejected by the Home Office.

What if I am a child?

Children under the age of 18 should see a clinician who will decide if they need a chest x-ray or not.  Note: Children aged under 11 will normally have a chest x-ray.

What if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant the rules will depend on the following:

• Have an x-ray with an extra shield to protect you and your unborn child in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters or
• Take a sputum test (phlegm coughed up from your lungs). You could have to wait 8 weeks for a decision and this option is likely to incur an additional fee or
• Wait until after delivery of your child if your UK entry is not urgent.

Sputum Test but no TB certificate

If I have a sputum test showing 'Negative' and you cannot obtain a TB certificate, but you urgently need to submit a visa application to enter the UK, is this possible? Yes, it is.

If you explain in your visa application the 'genuine' reason why you cannot obtain a TB certificate, submit the sputum test evidence and state will forward when have access to it, the caseworker is unlikely to process your visa application until received, the caseworker is likely to email you requesting this evidence. 

Our advice to avoid a visa refusal or delays, obtain the TB certificate first, then submit your visa application.

If you need to see if a UK organisation has a sponsor licence you can check here.

Under column 'Type & Rating' we have:

• Worker (A Rating)
• Temporary Worker (A Rating)
• Worker (A (SME+)).

A Rating means the UK organisation holds a valid sponsor licence.

If you see B Rating, this means the organisation is in breach of minor offences and the Home Offcie has allowed them 90 days to correct these issues.

What if a company I want to approach is not listed?

We have 3 potential reasons:

• UK organisation has yet to apply for a sponsor licence; or
• UK organisation has applied for a sponsor licence and the decision is still pending; or
• The UK organisation could have a sponsor licence as is either trading under a different name or part of a sponsor licence group licence.

The Home Office has different processing times if you are planning to enter or remain in the UK.

They have two links that can help you understand their processing times, go to UK entry visa processing time) and Service standards to explore more.

If you need a visa decision in a hurry, contact us to see if a priority or super priority options are available.

The UK Sponsor must be registered under the Charity Commission to be able to sponsor under this visa route. The sponsor must also obtain from the Home Office a sponsor licence.

• England & Wales
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland

The UK Sponsor must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and assign it to you.

The CoS is a virtual work permit which is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter or remain in the UK.

No aged limit to apply for this application type but if deemed a minor you will need parent or legal guardian consent.

Read below eligibility for who can obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) under this visa type.

The UK sponsor can only assign one type of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for visa applications that fall under Leave to Enter and Leave to Remain for Charity workers.

Once CoS is approved, it can be assigned instantly to the approved overseas national.

The CoS is a virtual work permit and must confirm certain information.

The job role is to undertake unpaid voluntary fieldwork which contributes directly to the achievement or advancement of the sponsor’s charitable purpose in the UK.

If the CoS does not reflect this, the visa will be refused.

When the UK sponsor assigns you a CoS, it should be under one of these 'Occupation Codes':

• 3231 Youth and community workers
• 3239 Welfare and housing associate professionals not elsewhere classified.

Other occupation codes could be assigned but they are much harder to demonstrate you will be working 'field-work and the job must be unpaid'.

Both occupation codes represents a different type of charity work, we have:

3231

Example job tasks:

• organises social, recreational and educational activities in the local community and youth groups;
• undertakes the day-to-day running of community centres and supervises the activities of part-time and voluntary workers;
• liaises and supports voluntary workers running groups in village halls, churches, mosques and other places of worship;
• advises individuals with particular needs or problems through informal discussion, individual counselling or formal group discussion;
• helps set up credit unions, encourages parents to establish playgroups, and works with other groups to find solutions to shared concerns or problems.

Related job titles:

• Community development officer
• Youth and community worker
• Youth project coordinator 
• Youth worker

3239

Example job tasks: 

• advises on rights and entitlements in relation to benefits, health, discrimination and welfare; 
• advises individuals and families experiencing problems about available resources to assist them; 
• assists and liaises with professionals in social work, the probation service and related welfare areas; 
• organises day, residential and home care services; 
• helps to put together care plans and follows professional’s care plans; 
• maintains records and compiles reports on clients; 
• keeps up to date with legislation; 
• performs pastoral care duties, preaches sermons and conducts some services in accordance with the relevant faith or denomination. 

Related job titles: 

• Day centre officer 
• Health coordinator 
• A key worker (welfare services) 
• Outreach worker (welfare services) 
• Probation services officer 
• Project worker (welfare services) 

This visa route has very strict rules on what you are permitted to claim.

Salary

You are not permitted to receive a salary to do charity work. 

Expenses

You are entitled to claim back expenses as defined in the National Minimum Wage Act 1998. Learn more about the history of the national minmum wage.

This visa type is only issued for 12 months, or the time given in the CoS plus up to 14 days and cannot be extended if your initial visa was issued for 12 months.

If your initial visa was issued for 6 months and your sponsor needs to extend your UK stay under this visa route, they can assign you a new CoS and you can then apply to extend your visa within the UK.

No, you cannot unless you meet the cooling-off period rule.

If you held a charity or religious worker visa in the past 12 months, you cannot apply to come to the UK until you have been out of the UK on either a charity or religious worker visa for 12 months.

You are not permitted to switch into this visa route.

You can:

• Do the work as stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Do a second job at the same level as your main job up to 20 hours per week
• Study in the UK but you first need to obtain a Study for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate.
• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.

You cannot:

• Receive any type of payment for work
• Take a permanent job
• Obtain public funds

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for a Charity worker
• Suitability requirements for a Charity worker
• Eligibility requirements for a Charity worker
• Decision on an application for a Charity worker
• Dependants of a Charity worker.

To see these rules click here.

Click here to read the Home Office guidance for UK sponsors who plan to employ a person under this visa type.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

To meet this visa route, you would be required to make a unique contribution to the UK labour market, for example, you are internationally renowned or are required to continuity.

The UK Sponsor must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and assign it to you.

The CoS is a virtual work permit that is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter the UK, switch into the visa route, and extend employment under this visa route.

The job offered to you must be paid the minimum salary as set by Equity, PACT, or BECTU (except for models, musicians, or circuses).

Your sponsor can give you a certificate of sponsorship that covers the entire length of your UK stay, even if you need to perform at more than one engagement. 

If you are working for more than one sponsor, you can get a certificate from each sponsor.

There cannot be a gap of more than 14 days between each job. If you leave the UK and come back, your time away will not count towards those 14 days.

If your sponsor requires you to extend your visa, your visa can be extended to a maximum of 24 months.

If you have multiple sponsors, the total permitted to be in the UK is 24 months.

Note: You cannot extend your stay if you have used the Creative Worker visa concession to enter the UK.

A creative worker is someone who can make a unique contribution to the UK’s rich cultural life, for example:

• An artist
• Dancer
• Musician
• Entertainer
• A model contributing to the UK’s fashion industry.

To learn more about creative workers click here.

This visa type is only issued for 12 months, or the time given in the CoS plus 14 days.

If your initial visa was issued within the UK for 6 months and your sponsor needs to extend your UK stay under this visa route, they can assign you a new CoS and you can then apply to extend your visa within the UK. If the visa was issued under the 'Leave to Enter' immigration rules, you cannot extend this visa.

You are permitted to switch to this visa type if you hold a valid Standard Visitor visa or hold a Permitted Paid Engagement visa,  or have been doing permitted activities in the creative sector.

You can:

• Do the work as stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Do a second job in the same sector and the same level as your sponsored job.
• Do a job on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list for up to 20 hours per week and this job must not impact your primary sponsored job.
• Work as a sports broadcaster
• Study (for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate).
• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.

You cannot:

• Get public funds
• Start or run a business

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for the Creative Worker
• Suitability requirements for a Creative Worker
• Eligibility requirements for a Creative Worker
• Sponsorship requirement for a Creative Worker
• Decision on an application for a Creative Worker
• Dependants on the Creative or Sporting Worker route.

To see these rules click here.

To read these codes of practices click here.

Click here to read the Home Office guidance for UK sponsors who plan to employ a person under this visa type.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

The UK Sponsor must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and assign it to you.

The CoS is a virtual work permit that is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter the UK, switch into the visa route, and extend employment under this visa route.

No age limit to apply for this application type but if deemed a minor you will need a parent or legal guardian consent.

The UK sponsor can only assign one type of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and depending on the scheme you apply for, you will get a visa for a maximum of 10 months, 12 months, or 24 months.

If you want to come to the UK for a short time for work experience or to do training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research, or a fellowship through an approved government authorised exchange scheme, Individual employers and organisations are not allowed to sponsor migrants under this route, even if they are licensed as sponsors under other categories of Temporary Work.

A Temporary Work - GAE sponsor must be an overarching body that manages the 

exchange scheme and has the support of a UK government department.

To under who the sponsor can be click here.

If your initial visa was issued below 12 or 24 months and you are permitted to remain in the UK, your sponsor will need to issue you a CoS.

You are permitted to switch to this visa type if you hold either a:

• Student, whether studying, resitting an examination, or writing a thesis
• student union sabbatical officer
• student nurse
• postgraduate doctor or dentist
• student visa holder (including Tier 4)
• sponsored researcher who came to the UK on a work permit and you want to continue in the same job with your sponsor.

You must have completed a UK bachelor’s or master’s degree during your last grant of leave.

If you have received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK in the last 12 months, they must provide you written consent to the application from that Government or agency. The letter of consent should be on official letter-headed paper or stationery of that organisation(s), bearing the official stamp of that organisation and issued by an authorised official of that organisation. The documents must confirm that the organisation gives the applicant unconditional consent to remain in or re-enter the UK.

You can:

• Do the work as stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Do a second job for up to 20 hours per week.
• Do a job on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list for up to 20 hours per week.
• Switch to the Global Talent visa if you are current visa falls under government authorised exchange scheme for sponsored researchers.
• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.

You cannot:

• Accept a permanent job from any UK employer
• Get public funds.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity Requirements for the Government Authorised Exchange route.
• Suitability Requirements for a Government Authorised Exchange route.
• Eligibility Requirements for a Government Authorised Exchange route.
• Decision on an application for the Government Authorised Exchange route.
• Dependants on the Government Authorised Exchange route.

To see these rules click here.

Click here to read the Home Office guidance for UK sponsors who plan to employ a person under this visa type.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

You must be aged between 18-30 when you submit your visa application.

This visa route is very different from the other short-term visa routes as you must fall under one of these:

• Academia or research
• Arts and culture
• Digital technology

You must:

• have a qualification at bachelor’s degree level or above (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8) and
• have £2,530 in savings to support yourself in the UK and.
• not have any children under the age of 18 who live with you or who you’re financially responsible for.

You must be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot before you can apply for this visa. 

To enter the ballot you must declare that you are eligible for the visa but first check if you are eligible before you enter.

See eligibiliity tab to learn more.

This visa type is issued for up to 24 months and yuo must apply from outside the UK for this visa route.

No, you cannot apply again.

You can:

• Study in the UK but you first need to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate.
• Work in most jobs.
• Be self-employed and set up a company - as long as your premises are rented, your equipment is not worth more than £5,000 and you do not have any employees.

You cannot:

• Extend your visa permission.
• Apply for most benefits public funds.
• Bring family members to the UK unless they have their own visa in a different immigration route.
• Work as a professional sportsperson for example as a coach.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme route.
• Suitability requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Eligibility requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Country-specific eligibility requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Financial requirement for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Decision on application for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Period and conditions of grant for the Youth Mobility Scheme.

To see these rules click here.

To read the generic guidance for this visa route click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

The UK Sponsor must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and assign it to you.

The CoS is a virtual work permit that is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter the UK, switch into the visa route, and extend employment under this visa route.

You must be aged 18 when you submit your visa application unless you are applying under contractual service suppliers or independent professionals, or employees of an overseas government/international organisation.

Your assigned CoS must confirm that you will be contracted to do work covered by international law or treaty while in the UK. 

Example of work could be:

• for an overseas government or international organisation.
• as a private servant in a diplomatic household.
• as an employee in the household of someone who works for a ‘recognised international organisation.

This visa type can be assigned for up to 2 years or the given time on your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter.

Yes, you can. You are permitted to extend the visa only up to a maximum of 2 years in the UK.

You are only permitted to switch to this visa type if you are already working for your employer and you either have you:

• a work permit; or
• work for an overseas government or International organisation.

You can:

• Do the work as stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Take a second job up to 20 hours per week in the same sector your primary job is in unless you are a private servant or a contractual service supplier or an independent professional.
• Do a job on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list for up to 20 hours per week.
• Study in the UK subjects your studies does not impact your primary sponsored job.
• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.
• Travel in and out of the UK.

You cannot:

• Get public funds
• Start working before your visa is approved.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity Requirements for the International Agreement route.
• Suitability Requirements for an International Agreement route.
• Eligibility Requirements for an International Agreement route.
• Decision on application for the International Agreement route.
• Settlement by a Private Servant in a diplomatic household.
• Dependants on the International Agreement route.

To see these rules click here.

Click here to read the Home Office guidance for UK sponsors who plan to employ a person under this visa type.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

The UK Sponsor must be registered as a faith-based organisation to be able to sponsor under religious worker visa route.

The UK Sponsor must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and assign it to you.

The CoS is a virtual work permit that is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter the UK, switch into the visa route, and extend employment under this visa route.

You must be 18 years or older to apply under this visa route.

The UK sponsor can only assign one type of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for visa applications that fall under Leave to Enter and Leave to Remain for Religious Worker.

Once approved, the CoS can be assigned instantly to the approved overseas national.

You are not required to score points for this visa type but you must demonstrate meeting the sponsorship and financials immigration rules.

Sponsorship = valid Certificate of Sponsorship

Financials = you must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK or ask your UK sponsor to certify maintenance for you under your assigned CoS.

Below is a defined list of all job titles for the religious sector with SOC codes as of 2010 changes made by Office for National Statistics:

• Abbot (2444)
• Archbishop (2444)
• Archdeacon (2444)
• Assistant, pastoral (2444)
• Bishop (2444)
• Brother (2444)
• Canon (2444)
• Captain (religious organisation) (3239)
• Captain (Salvation Army (3239)
• Chaplain Chargehand – see Foreman (2444)
• Clergy (2444)
• Clergyman (2444)
• Clerk in holy orders (2444)
• Curate (2444)
• Deacon (2444)
• Dean (2444)
• Ecclesiastic (2444)
• Elder, church (3239)
• Enabler, mission (3239)
• Evangelist (3239)
• Friar (2444)
• Healer (3239)
• Imam (2444)
• Incumbent (2444)
• Major (Salvation Army) (2444)
• Member of Religious Community (2444)
• Minister (religious organisation) (2444)
• Minister of religion (2444)
• Missionary (2444)
• Missioner (2444)
• Moderator (Presbyterian Church) (2444)
• Monk (2444)
• Nun (2444)
• Officer, Army, Church (2444)
• Officer, Army, Salvation (2444)
• Pastor (2444)
• Practitioner, Science, Christian (2444)
• Preacher, lay (3239)
• Preacher, local (2444)
• Prebendary (2444)
• Priest (2444)
• Prior (2444)
• Rabbi (2444)
• Reader, lay (3239)
• Rector (2444)
• Sister (religious organisation) (2444)
• Spiritualist (2444)
• Superior, lady (2444)
• Superior, mother (2444)
• Theologian (2444)
• Vicar (2444)
• Worker, army, Church (3239)
• Worker, church (3239)

THe list above covers workers who could be sponsored under Minister of Religion and Religious worker visa routes.

This visa route is limited to 2 years meaning you cannot extend past two years.

If your sponsor needs you to be in the UK for longer, you might want to consider switching to the Minister of Religion visa route as this can be initially for 3 years and 1 month with the option to extend if the UK sponsor agrees to carry on sponsoring you. Note: 3 years and one month will depend on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) work dates as this is calculated at a maximum of 3 years and 14 days. This is because you are permitted to enter the UK 14 days before your CoS work start date.

You can extend the minister of religion visa by a further 3 years but note, the maximum you can stay in the UK on this visa route is 6 years.

Tip: If your plans are to settle in the UK known as Indefinite Leave to Remain and you think you qualify under Minister of Religion, talk to your sponsor or our law firm.

Religious Worker

• Work carried out must involve religious duties to support the activities of religious institutions.
• The job role can either be pastoral or non-pastoral and can include working in a religious order.
• UK sponsor does need to meet the Resident labour consideration.
• English evidence is not required.
• Can be sponsored for up to 2 years.
• Switching in the UK is permitted*.
• The cooling-off period is required once departed the UK which is 12 months before you can apply again. If you qualify for Minister of Religion, the cooling-off period does not apply so you switch whilst in the UK but you will need a new CoS.
• This visa type does not lead to UK settlement status.

Minister of Religion

• Work carried out must be mainly pastoral in nature.
• UK sponsor does not need to meet the Resident Labour Market Test.
• Must have 5.5 in all 4 English categories if providing IELTS test certificate.
• Can be sponsored for up to 6 years.
• Switching in the UK is permitted.
• No cooling-off period if wanting to come back to the UK after 6 years or left the UK before 6 years but most people apply to settle after 5 years on this route.
• If the applicant has in the last 12 months received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK, they must provide written consent to the application from that Government or agency.
• This visa type can lead to UK settlement status.

If you are granted a 2 year Religious worker visa and your sponsor or another sponsor wants to employ you in the UK, after your two years you must depart the UK for 12 months. You cannot submit a new Religious worker visa until we have a gap of 12 months.

Note: Whether you worked in the UK as a Charity worker or Religious worker, you cannot return to the UK for 12 months if you worked in one of these visa routes and you want to return to one of them.

Note: The Home Office goes on the date you departed the UK so keep evidence of your UK departure travel and once 12 months has passed, you can enter the UK again.

Minister of Religion 'Switching'

If you worked in the UK as a Religious worker and the UK sponsor has a vacancy within the Minister of Religion visa route and you are deemed suitable for the job role, you can apply for this job and you do not need to comply to the 'Cooling-Off' 12 month period.

Unless Covid-19 rules applies, you cannot switch whilst in the UK from Religious worker to  Minister of Religion.

Switching is not permitted to this visa route.

You can:

• Do the work as stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Study in the UK for some courses but you will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate first to study.
• Second job either in the same sector up to 20 hours per week.
• Do a second job on one of the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list.
• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.

You cannot:

• Access public funds

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for a Religious Worker.
• Suitability requirements for a Religious Worker.
• Eligibility requirements for a Religious Worker.
• Decision on an application for a Religious Worker.
• Dependants of a Religious Worker.

To see these rules click here.

Click here to read the Home Office guidance for UK sponsors who plan to employ a person under this visa type.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

The UK Sponsor must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and assign it to you.

The CoS is a virtual work permit that is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter the UK.

You must be aged 18 when you submit your visa application.

The UK sponsor can only assign one type of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for visa applications that fall under Leave to Enter and the work must fall under the horticulture sector through an approved scheme operator.

Once approved, the CoS can be assigned instantly to the approved overseas national.

The Home Office has defined who can be sponsored under this visa route. 

The ‘edible horticulture sector’ means those growing:

• Protected vegetables – those grown in glasshouse systems.
• Field vegetables – those grown outdoors, including vegetables, herbs, leafy salads, and potatoes.
• Soft fruit – those grown outdoors or under cover (for example, in glasshouses or a polytunnel), such as strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, and all ribes and rubus species.
• Top fruit (orchard fruit) – trees that bear fruit, such as apples, plums, cherries, and apricots.
• Vine and bines – both twining or climbing flexible stems of certain plants – for example, hops is a bine, and grapes is a vine.
• Mushrooms – typically cover Agaricus bisporus species but can also include more exotic species; typically grown indoors.

‘Seasonal work’ means employment that fluctuates or is restricted according to the season or time of the year.

Note: Only two approved scheme operators have been endorsed by the Department for

Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs for this pilot:

• Concordia (UK) Ltd and
• Pro-Force Limited.

This pilot is subject to an annual quota of 10,000, set by the Home Office, and

divided between the approved scheme operators.

This visa type is only issued for 6 months and cannot be extended. Note: CoSs can only be assigned during a certain time of the year.

If you previously held this visa type, you can only be in the UK for 6 of any 12 month period.

If your visa expired, you must depart the UK and wait 6 months before applying again unless Covid-19 rules states otherwise.

You are not permitted to switch into this visa route.

You can:

• Do the work as stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Study in the UK but you first need to obtain a Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate.

You cannot:

• Take a permanent job.
• Take a second job in the UK meaning you can only do the work as described in your CoS.
• Obtain public funds.
• Bring family members to the UK unless they have their own visa in a different immigration route.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for a Seasonal Worker
• Suitability requirements for a Seasonal Worker.
• Eligibility requirements for a Seasonal Worker.
• Decision on an application as a Seasonal Worker.
• Period and conditions of grant for a Seasonal Worker.

To see these rules click here.

Click here to read the Home Office guidance for UK sponsors who plan to employ a person under this visa type.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

To apply for this visa type you must be transferring from your overseas employer to the UK to work for a different employer on a temporary assignment.

Your overseas employer must have a high-value contract or investment by their employer overseas.

To work under this visa route, you will need a UK sponsor who must issue you a Certificate of sponsorship (CoS).

The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a virtual work permit and must confirm certain information about your temporary job.

This visa type is issued initially for 12 months or the time given in your CoS such as 6 months plus 14 days.

Yes, you can.

The maximum time you can spend in the UK on this visa is 2 years.

You are permitted to switch into this visa route as long as you do not hold one of these visa types:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example - on compassionate grounds.

You can:

• work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
• study
• bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
• do voluntary work
• travel abroad and return to the UK

You cannot:

• Obtain public funds.
• change jobs unless you update your visa
• apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’)
• do a second job.

The immigration rules for this visa route fall under rules SEC 1.1 to SEC 21.3.

These rules will depend if you are applying under Leave to Enter, Leave to Remain, and apply for your family members.

You must meet the Validity and Suitability requirements for this visa type.

To see these rules click here.

To read the generic guidance for short-term visas click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

To apply for this visa type you must comply with these key areas:

• Be an employee of an overseas business, or a self-employed service provider based overseas.
• Providing a service under a contract that is covered by a valid international trade agreement.
• Providing a service to a UK business that has been approved as a sponsor by the Home Office.
• Do an eligible job or prove you have relevant qualifications and professional experience.
• Have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your UK sponsor with information about the work you will be doing in the UK.
• Have worked for your employer for at least 12 months outside the UK immediately before applying for the visa and in the same sector as the service you will provide, if you are self-employed.

You will need a 4-digit eligible occupation code.

The CoS is a virtual work permit and must confirm certain information.

To work under this visa route, you will need a UK sponsor who must issue you a Certificate of sponsorship (CoS).

You must be an employee of an overseas business, or a self-employed service provider based overseas.

You must be providing a service under a contract that is covered by a valid international trade agreement.

The UK organisation must be an approved sponsor.

You should also prove you have relevant qualifications and professional experience to do the job in the UK.

Must have worked for your overseas employer for at least 12 months outside the UK, or have at least 12 months of professional experience if you are a self-employed service provider.

Your visa will normally be issued for 6 or 12 months. This will depend on the trade agreement you have in place.

Whatever work dates are stated on your CoS, 14 days will be added.

If you have spent time in the UK on a Service Supplier visa or another visa before.

You can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if you’ve spent time on any of these visas:

• Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa.
• Intra-company Transfer visa.
• Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility).
• Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility).
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility).
• Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility).
• UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

You are permitted to switch to this visa route as long as you do not hold one of these visa types:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example - on compassionate grounds.

You can:

• work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
• study
• bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
• do voluntary work
• travel abroad and return to the UK

You cannot:

• Obtain public funds.
• change jobs unless you update your visa
• apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’)
• do a second job.

The immigration rules for this visa route fall under rules SSU 1.1 to SEC 22.3.

These rules will deepnd if you are applying under Leave to Enter, Leave to Remain and apply for your family members.

You must meet the Validity and Suitability requirements for this visa type.

To see these rules click here.

To read the generic guidance for short-term visas click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

You must be aged between 18-30 when you submit your visa application.

This visa route is very different from the other short-term visa routes as the Home Office has different rules depending on nationality status.

Some will need invitation letters and some will not.

Listed below are the nationals and certain oversea British territories and nationals:

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. Hong Kong*
4. Iceland*
5. India*
6. Japan
7. Monaco
8. New Zealand
9. San Marino*
10. South Korea
11. Taiwan
12. British overseas citizen
13. British overseas territories citizen
14. British national (overseas).

*These nationalities have specific rules you must apply to. See other tabs for guidance.

You must have been issued with an invitation to apply in accordance with the arrangements set out in Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme: eligible nationals; and, have made your application within any time limit specified on that invitation to apply.

You must provide a Criminal Certificate for Private Use (called a Sakavottoro) that has been issued no more than 6 months before the date of application.

You must have been issued with an invitation to apply in accordance with the arrangements set out in Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme: eligible nationals; and, have made their application within the period of time specified in that invitation to apply; and, provide the unique application number for that invitation to apply; and, provide a local police certificate or a police clearance certificate that has been issued no more than 6 months before the date of application; and, hold a qualification equal to or above RQF level 6.

You must provide a letter confirming that you are a suitable candidate for the Youth Mobility Scheme which must be obtained from the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs of the Republic of San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs that has been issued no more than 6 months before the date of application.

If you are a national from:

• Hong Kong if you have a SAR passport
• Japan
• the Republic of Korea
• Taiwan

You must provide a valid email from the Home Office confirming you were successful in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot.

Ballots typically open in January and July each year. Ballots will be open for 48 hours.

All emails we receive within this 48-hour period will be entered into the ballot. You will get an automated reply confirming your entry.

Most applicants are usually chosen during the January ballot and the remaining places are allocated in the July ballot.

If you are successful in the ballot you will have received an email by 29 July if you were successful in the second ballot. Remember to check your junk inbox for any correspondence.

You will have 30 days to submit your application and pay once you have received your email.

Financial Requirements

You must have £2,530.00 in funds held for 28 days prior to the date you submitted your visa application. Note: If the funds are not in GBP, you will need to verify the exchange rate from your currency to GBP. You should only use this website https://www1.oanda.com/currency/converter/ to verify the fund's conversation as this site is whom the Home Office will only accept evidence from unless your regulated financial institutes confirm this in writing.

This visa type is issued for up to 24 months.

No, you cannot apply again.

You can:

• Study in the UK but you first need to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate.
• Work in most jobs
• Be self-employed and set up a company - as long as your premises are rented, your equipment is not worth more than £5,000 and you do not have any employees.

You cannot:

• Work as a professional sportsperson
• Extend your visa permission
• Obtain public funds.
• Bring family members to the UK unless they have their own visa in a different immigration route.

*You are not permitted to own any premises other than their home, from which they carry out their business. The total value of any equipment used in the business does not exceed £5,000 and yuo nnot allowed to employ any people.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme route.
• Suitability requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Eligibility requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Country-specific eligibility requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Financial requirement for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Decision on application for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Period and conditions of grant for the Youth Mobility Scheme.

To see these rules click here.

To read the generic guidance for short-term visas click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

No, you do not. Once your Graduate visa is granted, you are no longer under the Student immigration rules.

This visa-type duration period is for 2 years.

No, you cannot.

You can only switch to this visa if you graduated in the UK via the Student visa route and you meet the other eligibility requirements.

Eligibility requirements

You usually must have completed one of the following qualifications:

• a UK bachelor’s degree
• a UK master’s degree
• a UK PhD or doctorate
• a law conversion course approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
• the Legal Practice Course in England and Wales, the Solicitors Course in Northern Ireland, or a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in Scotland
• the Bar Practice Course in England and Wales, or the Bar Course in Northern Ireland
• a foundation programme in medicine or dentistry
• a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
• a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
• You may also be able to apply if passing your course made you eligible for a job that’s regulated by UK law or a UK public authority.

CAS & Studies Confirmation

Your training institute will need to add a note to your assigned CAS confirming the course you studied was completed.

Scholarship or sponsorship

You might have to provide a letter from your scholarship or sponsorship provider that approved your application if they paid for your course fees or living costs in the last 12 months.

You can:

• Work in most jobs
• Look for work
• Be self-employed
• Continue living in the UK with your partner and children, if they’re eligible
• Do voluntary work
• Travel abroad and return to the UK.

You cannot:

• Work as a professional sportsperson
• Get public funds.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validation requirements for a Graduate
• Suitability requirements for a Graduate
• Eligibility requirements for a Graduate
• Successful completion requirement
• Qualification requirement
• Study in the UK requirement
• Decision on application as a Graduate
• Period and conditions of grant for a Graduate
• Dependants of a Graduate
• Suitability requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Graduate
• Eligibility requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Graduate
• Relationship requirement for dependent child of a Graduate
• Care requirement for dependent child of a Graduate
• Age requirement for a dependent child of a Graduate
• Decision on application for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Graduate
• Period and conditions of grant for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Graduate.

To see these rules click here.

Click here to read the Home Office guidance for Graduates.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

To apply for this visa type you must comply with these key areas:

• To be eligible for a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa, you must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university.
• The list of approved universities can be found here.
• Your qualification must be a UK bachelor’s degree or a UK postgraduate degree or a UK Ph.D. or doctorate. Note: If the qualification is from outside the UK, you need Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC)
• Provide evidence of meeting English at B1 level or higher.
• Have enough cash to pay for Ecctis, visa fee, immigration health surcharge, and money to support yourself unless exempt.
• You must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the last 5 years.

No, you do not as sponsorship is not required for this visa route.

Your visa will normally be issued for 2 years and cannot be extended.

You are permitted to switch to this visa route as long as you do not hold one of these visa types:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example - on compassionate grounds.

You can:

• Work in most jobs
• Look for work
• Be self-employed
• Live in the UK with your partner and children, if they’re eligible
• Do voluntary work
• Travel abroad and return to the UK

You cannot:

• Obtain public funds.
• work as a professional sportsperson
• extend this visa
• apply to settle permanently in the UK.

There are areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for a High Potential Individual
• Suitability requirements for a High Potential Individual
• Eligibility requirements for a High Potential Individual
• Decision on an application as a High Potential Individual
• Period and conditions of grant for a High Potential Individual
• Dependent partner (“partner”) and dependent child (“child”) of a High Potential Individual
• Eligibility requirements for a partner and child of a High Potential Individual

To see these rules click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

The UK Sponsor must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and assign it to you.

The CoS is a virtual work permit that is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter the UK, switch into the visa route, and extend employment under this visa route.

A Graduate Trainee visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to work for your employer in their UK branch.

Your job must be eligible and part of a graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role.

Be an existing employee of an organisation that’s been approved by the Home Office as a sponsor.

Have worked for your sponsor outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before you apply.

Your UK salary must be at or above £23,100 per year.

You must be aged 18 when you submit your visa application unless you are applying under contractual service suppliers or independent professionals, or employees of an overseas government/international organisation.

This visa-type duration period can be assigned to 12 months or if for example 6 months plus 14 days.

No, you cannot extend this visa type.

You are not permitted to switch to this visa type as you must have worked for the past 3 months overseas for your employer.

You can:

• Do the work as stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Study.
• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.
• Travel in and out of the UK.

You cannot:

• Change jobs
• Do a second job.
• Apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’).
• Get public funds.

The immigration rules for this visa route fall under rules GTR 1.1 to GTR 23.3.

To see these rules click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

Your employer must have a UK sponsor licence and have a spare Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and assign it to you.

The CoS is a virtual work permit that is mandatory to have prior to applying for a visa to enter the UK, switch into the visa route, and extend work under this visa route.

You must have worked for your employer outside the UK for 12 months unless any of these apply to you:

• Your annual income is at or above £73,900; or
• If you are a Japanese national doing work for a Japanese company that is expanding to the UK you can also apply under this route.

You must be aged 18 when you submit your visa application.

Your assigned CoS must confirm that you will do the work under this visa route and the minimum salary you will be paid is £42,400.00 per annum based on 39 hours per week unless the 4-digit occupation code assigned to your salary is greater than you must be paid the higher salary:

• Working for a foreign government; or
• Working as a private servant in a diplomatic household; or
• Providing a service under contract as a contractual service supplier or independent professional.

The UK sponsor can only assign one type of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

You can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if you have spent time on any of these:

• Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa
• Intra-company Transfer visa
• Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
• UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility).

Yes, you can. You are permitted to extend the visa if you meet the eligibility requirements which are:

• You have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK.
• Your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK.
• You are still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship.
• You have not reached the maximum total stay.

You are permitted to switch to this visa type if you hold a valid UK visa.

If you hold one of these visa types, you cannot switch within the UK:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds.

You can:

• Do the work as stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Study
• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.
• Do voluntary work
• Travel in and out of the UK.

You cannot:

• Change jobs unless you are eligible and you update your visa.
• Start your sponsored job before the visa is approved unless Covid-19 rules state otherwise.
• Get public funds.

The immigration rules for this visa route fall under rules UKX 1.1 to UKX 23.3.

These rules will depend if you are applying under Leave to Enter, Leave to Remain, and apply for your family members.

You must meet the Validity and Suitability requirements for this visa type.

To see these rules click here.

To read the generic guidance for short-term visas click here.

To read the caseworker guidance click here.