Moving to and working in the UK is something that many people want to gain experience and kick-start their careers. 

Leaping to work in the UK may be a simple enough decision to make, but there are plenty of things that you need to do and think about before you actually start to plan to move and look for work.

One is whether you have the right to work in the UK (or need a visa). 

Not sure where you stand? We have put together our guide to whether you need a visa to work in the UK.

Who doesn’t need a visa?

Some people do not need a visa to work in the UK; however, you may find that these people still need to prove that they have a right to work in the UK before their employment can officially commence. 

These are:

• British Citizens 
• EU/EEA/Swiss National residents who were in the UK before the 31st December 2020
• Non-EEA nationals who have indefinite leave or remain or settlement rights in the UK

All of these people will be asked to provide documents that show evidence that they have a right to work in the UK. 

What about if I don’t have the right to work in the UK?

If you do not fit into the above rules for the right to work in the UK status, then this doesn’t mean that you have to give up on the idea of being able to work in the UK. It just means that you will need to apply for a visa before finding employment. 

Visas have changed of late, and a new points-based system has been introduced. The aim of this system over how visa applications have previously worked is to appeal to skilled workers who want to make sure that they can contribute to the UK economy. 

There are several visas that you can apply for.

What are the primary visa types?

The first is a Skilled Worker visa, which has replaced the previous Tier 2 General work visa. If you want to apply for this visa, you need to make sure that you work for an employer approved by the Home Office and have a certificate of sponsorship from your employer.

You can also apply for what is known as a Health and Care Worker visa. This type of visa applies to health care professionals, for example, nurses and doctors, to allow them to come and work in the UK, supporting the NHS.

It is essential to know that not every single health care role fits within this particular visa type, so it is necessary to check the rules and regulations before applying. 

You may also be able to apply for a visa if you are a part of the Global Talent Scheme (aimed at researchers and scientists) or the Graduate Immigration, which is for foreign nationals who have a degree gained in the UK. 

As you can see, there are many things to think about and focus on when it comes to visas and working in the UK. However, we can promise you that the effort will be worth it, and you will love working in the UK and making those next steps on your career path.