Working in the UK
Working in the UK
Many people who come to the UK turn first to retail for work. Tough measures are in place to ensure current residents don’t lose out on jobs to those from overseas, but if you have a desperately needed skill, you’ll be a valuable asset to an employer, and getting a work permit should be much easier.
In this guide, we will provide you with some of the common terms you will encounter and a summary of the categories available to come to the UK to work. Immigration laws change frequently, and you should consult government guides before submitting any applications.
Migrants worker categories
- UK Ancestry
- Tier 1 – Highly-skilled workers, investors and entrepreneurs
- Highly-skilled workers
- Entrepreneurs
- Investors
- Post-study workers
- Tier 2 – Sponsored skilled workers
- General
- Minister of religion
- Sportsperson
- Intra-company transfer
- Tier 5 – Temporary workers
- Creative and sporting
- Charity workers
- Religious workers
- Government-authorised exchange
- International agreement
- Youth mobility scheme
- European citizens
- Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
- Business and commercial
- Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES)
- Sports and entertainments
- Student internships
- General Agreement on Trade in Services
- Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme
- Sectors Based Scheme
- Domestic workers
- Sole representatives of overseas firms
- Representatives of overseas newspapers, news agencies and broadcasting organisation
Migrant worker categories
UK Ancestry
Under the UK Ancestry scheme, Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK can enter the country and work for up to five years. No separate work permit is required and the scheme allows candidates who have worked continuously for five years to apply for permanent residency.
Tier 1 – Highly-skilled workers
This programme allows highly-skilled workers to come to the UK. You don’t need any specific skills to qualify. It is all based on a points system.
In order to qualify for this category, you must score:
- 75 points for your attributes (age, qualifications, previous earnings and experience in the United Kingdom); and
- 10 points for English language skills; and
- 10 points for available money to sustain yourself
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator.
Tier 1 – Entrepreneurs
This programme allows entrepreneurs to come to the UK if they plan to set up or take over at least one business. Generally speaking, you need to have access to at least £200,000. Like the highly-skilled worker programme, it is points based.
In order to qualify for this category, you must score:
- 75 points for your attributes which are different depending on whether you make an initial or extension application; and
- 10 points for English language skills; and
- 10 points for available money to sustain yourself
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator.
Tier 1 – Investors
You must show that you are able to invest £1 million in the United Kingdom.
The investors programme is more lenient on points but you must have access to £1 million to invest in the UK.
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator.
Tier 1 – Post-study workers
This programme allows international students who studied here and graduated to stay here. The programme is flexible in that successful applicants are allowed to look for work without the need of a company sponsoring them. Like the other programmes in this category, it is points-based.
In order to qualify for this category, you must score:
- 75 points for your education qualifications; and
- 10 points for English language skills; and
- 10 points for available money to sustain yourself
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator.
Tier 2 – General
Unlike the highly-skilled worker programme, the Tier 2 general programme requires you to be sponsored by an employer.
In order to qualify for this category, you must score at least 50 points:
- 30-50 points for being sponsored; and
- 0-15 points for qualifications; and
- 0-20 points for future expected earnings
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator.
Tier 2 – Minister of Religion
This programme allows preachers, pastors, missionaries and people working in a religious order to come to the UK to continue their work. You have to be sponsored in order to qualify.
In order to qualify for this category, you must score 70 points:
- 50 points for your certificate of sponsorship; and
- 10 points for English language skills; and
- 10 points for available money to sustain yourself
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator.
Tier 2 – Sportsperson
This programme allows sportspeople, including coaches, at the highest level to come to UK. You have to be sponsored and meet several other guidelines. For all the information, visit the Home Office’s page on the topic.
In order to qualify for this category, you must score 70 points:
- 50 points for being sponsored; and
- 10 points for English language skills; and
- 10 points for available money to sustain yourself
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator.
Tier 2 – Intra-Company Transfer
This programme is for overseas workers who are being transferred within their company to a UK location.
In order to qualify for this category, you must score at least 50 points:
- 30 points for being sponsored; and
- 0-15 points for your qualifications; and
- 0-20 points for future expected earnings
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator.
Tier 5 – Temporary workers – Creative and sporting
In some instances you do not need to qualify based on points, but generally speaking, in order to qualify for this category, you must score 40 points:
- 30 points for your certificate of sponsorship; and
- 10 points for available money to sustain yourself
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator. For more information, see the Office’s page on the topic.
Tier 5 – Temporary workers – Charity workers
This programme allows people to come to the UK to do unpaid volunteer work. You need to be sponsored by an organisation, and the work needs to be directly related to the work of the organisation. You will be awarded points based on having a certificate of sponsorship and available funds to sustain yourself.
In order to qualify for this category, you must score 40 points:
- 30 points for your certificate of sponsorship; and
- 10 points for available money to sustain yourself
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator.
Tier 5 – Temporary workers – Religious workers
This programme allows religious workers to come to the UK. Among other restrictions, you need to be sponsored and you cannot stay for more than two years. For full details, visit the Home Office’s page on the topic.
In order to qualify for this category, you must score 40 points:
- 30 points for your certificate of sponsorship; and
- 10 points for available money to sustain yourself
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator.
Tier 5 – Temporary workers – Government-authorised exchange
This programme allows people to come to the UK under specifically-approved schemes. The schemes are quite varied. They range from teaching Mandarin to helping migrant lawyers open a law firm in the UK. Check the complete list of approved schemes.
In order to qualify for this category, you must score 40 points:
- 30 points for your certificate of sponsorship; and
- 10 points for available money to sustain yourself
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator.
Tier 5 – Temporary workers – International agreement
This programme was set up to aid the objectives of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) or similar treaties. GATS is a World Trade Organization treaty that aims to foster trade in services, as opposed to merchandise, between countries. For full details, visit the Home Office’s page on the topic.
In order to qualify for this category, you must score 40 points:
- 30 points for your certificate of sponsorship; and
- 10 points for available money to sustain yourself
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator.
Tier 5 – Temporary workers – Youth mobility scheme
This programme allows young adults (ages 18-31) from Australia, Canada, Japan or New Zealand to come to the UK for up to two years, but keep in mind that there are quotas so space may be limited. To find out more, visit the Home Office’s page on the topic.
In order to qualify for this category, you must score 50 points:
- 30 points for your nationality (includes only Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand); and
- 10 points for age; and
- 10 points for available money to sustain yourself
To calculate your points, visit the official Home Office points calculator.
European citizens
EEA and Swiss nationals are allowed to live and work in the United Kingdom. You must, however, be able to support yourself and your family without the use of public funds. For more information, visit the Home Office’s page on the topic.
Business and commercial (For Bulgarian and Romanian nationals)
This permit allows UK employers to hire workers from Bulgaria and Romania to fill positions they have not been able to fill with local labour. The permits can last up to five years. To see the restrictions for both employers and potential employees, visit the Home Office’s page on the topic.
Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES) (For Bulgarian and Romanian nationals)
This programme allows people from Bulgaria and Romania to come to UK to gain skills and experience through work-based learning with the understanding that they will return to their country once the permit expires.
To learn more, visit the Home Office’s page on the topic.
Sports and entertainments (For Bulgarian and Romanian nationals)
This permit allows sportspeople and entertainers to come here for work. There are strict restrictions as to who can qualify. For sportspeople, you need to receive a letter of endorsement from a governing body. To see the list of those bodies by sport, visit the Home Office’s page on the topic.
To find out about this programme in general, visit the Home Office’s page on this category.
Student internships (For Bulgarian and Romanian nationals)
This programme allows students to come to the UK for an internship, but they are allowed only one internship lasting no more than three months. For more information, visit the Home Office’s page on this category.
General Agreement on Trade in Services (For Bulgarian and Romanian nationals)
This programme allows company without a presence in the UK to have employees work here. The service contract must not exceed three months. To find out more, visit the Home Office’s page on the topic.
Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (For Bulgarian and Romanian nationals)
This programme allows growers to hire low-skilled workers on a short-term basis.
To be eligible for this programme you must be at least 18 years old and be from Bulgaria or Romania. Successful applicants will be able to work in the UK for up to six months. Additionally, you will need to have a work card issued from an approved Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) operator before applying for the programme. The Home Office uses nine operators to issue the cards. They are:
- Barway Services (Formerly Gs Marketing)
Tel: 01353 727314
Address: Barway, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5TZ - Concordia (YSV) Ltd
Tel: 01273 422 293
Address: 19 North Street, Portslade, East Sussex, BN41 1DH - Fruitful Ltd
Tel: 0870 727 0050
Address: Unit 3, Honeybourne Industrial Estate, Evesham, WR11 7QF - Haygrove Ltd
Tel: 01531 633659
Address: Redbank, Ledbury, Hereford, HR8 2JL - HOPS Labour Solutions
Tel: 02476 857 206
Address: National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, YFC Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG - R & J M Place (International Farm Camp)
Tel: 01692 536337
Address: Church Farm, Tunstead, Norwich, Norfolk, NR12 8RQ - S & A Produce
Tel: 01432 880235
Address: Brook Farm, Marden, Hereford, HR1 3ET - Sastak Ltd
Tel: 01588 673636
Address: 1-7, BDC, Long Lane, Craven Arms, Salop, SY7 8DZ - Wilkin & Sons Ltd (International Farm Camp)
Tel: 01621 815407/815496
Address: Hall Road, Tiptree, Colchester, Essex, C05 0RF
Sectors Based Scheme (For Bulgarian and Romanian nationals)
This programme allows companies in the food manufacturing sector to hire low-skilled workers for a maximum of 12 months.
To be eligible for this programme, you must be at least 18 years old and be from Bulgaria or Romania. Both you and your employer have to apply for different parts of the process. For more information, visit the Home Office’s page on the topic.
Domestic workers
To qualify for this category you must be an established member of your employer’s staff. The permit will be granted for a fixed period of time. At the end of that period, you can apply for an extension but only if you continue to be employed.
For all the information, visit the Home Office’s page on the topic.
Sole representatives of overseas firms
This programme allows you to come to the UK without a work permit. You can come as the sole representative of an overseas firm for up to two years, but you must provide proof of continual employment and you cannot engage in any other work, among other restrictions. For more information, visit the Home Office’s page on the topic.
Representatives of overseas newspapers, news agencies and broadcasting organisations
This permit allows you to come to the UK as an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation. Among other restrictions, you must intend to come here to work full-time for that organisation, not take any additional work and not need public funds to sustain yourself. For all the information, visit the Home Office’s page on the topic.
Common terms
Building society - A financial institution owned by its members that offers services like a bank. Also remember, getting a bank account in the UK can be an arduous task if you have just arrived here. Try to get your current bank to set up an account with an affiliated bank in the UK, as this is much easier. Banks require proof of address and a referral letter from your home bank or British employer. You may have to be a resident in the country for six months or more before you can apply for a credit card or overdraft.
Estate agent - A person who arranges the selling or letting of properties. Keep in mind good quality housing is not in shortage in the UK, but it can come at a price. You don’t need an estate agent to find a place but you may have to deal with one at some point. The best way to start is to run an Internet search on one of the many property websites to assess the typical price for the area in which you’re looking. A short-term flat share is probably the best option until you’re settled.
National Insurance (NI) - Every worker between 16 and retirement age must pay National nsurance contributions that will be automatically deducted from your pay. Applying for an NI number can be a lengthy process, requiring an interview with identification such as a passport, proof of address, a letter confirming you have work and, if available, payslips. You will be given an account number, which is to be used when dealing with HM Revenue & Customs.
Pay As You Earn (PAYE) – Most employees will pay tax through the PAYE system, which means money is deducted from your pay by your employer.
Visa - (also know as an “entry clearance”) is required for various foreign nationals before they can enter the country. The types of visa available and their requirements change frequently.