If you’ve decided that you want to move to the UK then that’s half the job done, but they also need to decide if they want you. However, don’t lose heart: in 2016 Australia were in the top 5 countries for UK visas given to non-EU nationals, so you must be doing something right. In the same year, 25,000 Brits came to live in Australia, making it the most popular country for British emigrants, so it’s only fair that Australians can head in the opposite direction if they want to.
Do you need a visa?
If you’re making a permanent move to the UK and you’re planning on working there then yes, you need a visa. However, it’s worth mentioning that Australians can live in the UK visa-free for up to 6 months if they are going there as a tourist. You can see see all the big buildings in London and wander through the Yorkshire Dales but the moment you get a job, you’re in trouble.
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Right of abode
Before you embark on the lengthy process of choosing a visa, applying for it and waiting for it, you should find out if you actually need to bother. Right of abode in the UK means you can live there without having to deal with any kind of immigration restrictions. However, there are three conditions that you need to meet order to have right of abode:
- One of your parents was born in the UK (and was still a UK citizen when you were born)
- You were born before 1st January 1983 into a Commonwealth country
- You have never ceased to be a Commonwealth citizen since 31st December 1982
If you entered the world more recently and both of your parents are proper Aussies then please read on. We’re afraid you’ve got a bit of work to do.
UK immigration points-based system
Funnily enough, the UK’s points-based immigration system was largely based on the Australian one. Before 2008, there were over eighty different kinds of visa available, but it has since become much less complicated (although still pretty complicated). The visas are divided into five tiers and each tier requires the applicant to score a certain number of points before he/she can be eligible. The main score determinants are English language proficiency, age, previous experience, future employment and savings, but these can vary greatly depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Luckily, in most cases, Australians get 10 points on their score before they’ve even started, thanks to their natural English language proficiency.
How to apply
Start off by going on the website for UK Visas and Immigration. On there, you can register, choose the relevant visa, fill out the form and pay any necessary fees. Isn’t the internet wonderful? However, you will eventually have to leave the house. All applications for visas of more than 6 months require you to get a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), and to acquire this you’ll need to go to one of the UK Visa Application Centres. These are situated in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Canberra. You’ll need various documents, such as educational and financial evidence, so don’t forget them, especially if you’ve got a long drive! At the Application Centre, they will scan all ten of your fingerprints and take a photograph of you. This biometric information is an essential part of your visa application. Find out more at the VFS Global website.
How much will it cost?
All visa applications include a fee that will vary significantly depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Each set of individual fees will be explained in more detail further down the page. There is also an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) that applies to all non-EU migrants staying in the UK for longer than 6 months. Once paid, you will be able to use the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), so no need to worry about being torn away from Medicare! The cost of the IHS is per year for all visas, except the Tier 4 Student and Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme visas, where it is per year.
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Bringing family with you
The vast majority of UK visas allow you to bring your family members with you, because what’s life without family? The UK government classifies a ‘dependant’ as either your partner or your child (under the age of 18). If you have any children over the age of 18 who are already living in the UK as dependants then they can also join you on your visa. Normally, each dependant needs to hold a specific amount of money before they can move to the UK, but this figure varies from visa to visa. You also need to demonstrate you will be able to financially support any dependants who will be joining you. Every dependant needs to submit their biometric information and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Full guidance on dependant applications can be found here.
Which visa do I need?
Despite the relatively simple five-tier system, the number of different UK visas on offer is still pretty overwhelming, what with all the subcategories and special classifications. Hopefully you’ll soon work out which one you need with the help of our handy guide, where we’ve singled out the most useful and important visas for living and working in the UK.
Select the size of your move to get free quotes
Tier 1
Tier 1 can be divided up into two different types of visa.
Exceptional talent visa
This one caters specifically to very highly skilled migrants who have been endorsed in their respective field as someone with either ‘exceptional talent’ or ‘exceptional promise’. Only 1000 places are released each year (500 on 6th April and another 500 on 1st October) so there is a limit. With this visa, you are allowed to work in the UK, travel in and out of the country and bring your family with you, but you are prohibited from working as a professional sportsperson or as a doctor/dentist in training.
Duration
The visa lasts for a very specific 5 years and 4 months, although extensions of up to 5 years are possible.
Requirements
You have to apply to the UK Home Office for endorsement and it must be in one of the following industries: science, medicine, engineering, humanities, digital technology or the arts. The score on your application must reach a minimum of 100 points, which is based on a combination of your English language proficiency, financial maintenance, previous earnings, age, qualifications and past UK-based experience.
Processing time
Your application should be approved or rejected within 3 weeks. Also, you can’t apply any earlier than 3 months before you intend to move to the UK.
Fees
The application for endorsement costs and the visa application costs a further . All dependants who you intend to bring with you will have to pay per person. The Immigration Healthcare Surcharge, which is per visa year, also applies to yourself and each dependant.
Entrepreneur visa
If you want to start your own business in the UK then you’ll need one of these. You can even start running multiple companies on this visa if you’re feeling particularly entrepreneurial! Family members can come with you, too. However, you’re not permitted to start working for anybody else while you’re there.
Duration
This visa lasts for 3 years and 4 months, and further 2-year extensions are possible.
Requirements
You need a score of at least 95 points on your application but, more importantly, you need to have a minimum of £50,000 (68,852 AUD) in funds for investment. Go big or go home. Specifically, the money must come from a UK venture capitalist firm. You can also secure the visa if you have £200,000 (275,406 AUD) in savings, but it must be your own money rather than investment from elsewhere. You will have to pitch your business plan to the Home Office in order to acquire approval, reinforced with accurate market research and a demonstration of its financial viability.
Processing time
Your application should be approved or rejected within 3 weeks. Also, you can’t apply any earlier than 3 months before you intend to move to the UK.
Fees
To apply online or by post costs , whereas to apply in person from outside the UK costs a bit less at . The same charges apply to each family member (or ‘dependant’) coming with you. The Immigration Healthcare Surcharge, which is per visa year, will also apply to yourself and each extra person.
Tier 2
There are two types of visa within the Tier 2 classification.
General (skilled worker) visa
If you are able to line up a skilled job offer in the UK all the way from Australia (it’s not as hard as it sounds) then the Tier 2 General visa is your best route into the UK. Your future employer must be registered as a licensed sponsor so that they can give you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), as you’ll need this for your visa application. However, finding a company that’s a licensed sponsor is easy; the UK register of licensed businesses is massive (nearly 2000 pages long). With this visa you are also able to study, travel in and out of the UK, do some voluntary work and bring your family along with you.
Duration
The visa time length is generally the specified duration on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus one month, but this cannot exceed 5 years and 14 days. You’re allowed to move to the UK up to 14 days before your new work begins. It is possible to apply to extend your visa by up to 5 years, but the total length of your stay cannot exceed 6 years.
Requirements
As the tier number increases, the number of points required decreases. For the Tier 2 General visa, the applicant needs to score a minimum of 70 points in order to be eligible. The Certificate of Sponsorship adds 30 points, but you need sufficient English language proficiency, enough personal maintenance funds and an ‘appropriate salary’ in order to score the remaining 40 points. An ‘appropriate salary’ must be at least £30,000 (41,311 AUD), but for some highly skilled jobs the minimum appropriate salary is even higher. Check out all the relevant salary guidance here.
Processing time
Your application should be approved or rejected within 3 weeks, and you can’t apply any earlier than 3 months before you intend to move to the UK.
Fees
There are four different sets of fees depending on the type and duration of your move. The cost of the visa is determined by a) whether you’re filling a shortage occupation and b) whether you’re staying in the UK for more than 3 years.
- No more than 3 years: .
- No more than 3 years (filling a shortage occupation): .
- Over 3 years: .
- Over 3 years (filling a shortage occupation): .
The Immigration Health Surcharge also applies, which is per visa year. Both the application fee and the IHS apply to any dependants who are accompanying you.
UK shortage occupations list
The easiest way for you to secure a Tier 2 visa is to target the occupations that are currently experiencing a shortage of personnel in the UK. If you take a look at the UK Shortage Occupations List (SOL), you will find a huge number of different skill sets that are required in the UK, ranging from engineering and mathematical roles to more artistic ones. As you can see in the fees listed above, helping the UK with an occupation shortage also makes the visa a little cheaper. Here is an example of just some of the jobs listed on the SOL at the moment. You can read the full list here.
| Occupation | Entry level wage (minimum) |
|---|---|
| Civil engineer | 22,800 () |
| Electrical engineer | 24,800 () |
| Maths teacher | 20,800 () |
| Social worker | 21,478 () |
| 3D animator | 20,800 () |
| Classical ballet dancer | 20,800 () |
| Pipe welder | 20,800 () |
| Experienced chef | 29,570 () |
Intra-company transfer visa
If your current employer is sending you abroad to start working in the UK branch of their business, then you should be looking at this visa. It allows you to fill the overseas post and start working in the UK, along with being able to bring family members with you and travel in and out of the country. There are two types of intra-company transfer visa, one for long-term staff and the other for graduate trainees.
Duration
The length of time on the visa varies depending on the type. Long-term staff roles earning over £120,000 (165,244 AUD) per year allow applicants to stay for 9 years, whereas a salary under £120,000 only permits a stay of 5 years and 1 month. Graduate trainee visas last for just 12 months. For any of the three classifications, the applicant can move to the UK up to 14 days before they start their new role. Extensions of 9 years or 5 years are possible for long-term staff (depending on their salary), while graduate trainees can only extend their stay by a maximum of 12 months.
Requirements
To take up a long-term staff position in the UK, you must have at least one year’s experience with your current employer and your company must be unable to fill the role with a UK recruit. However, a UK-based salary of at least £73,900 (101,763 AUD) would mean that you don’t need to have worked for your current employer for any minimum amount of time. On the other hand, graduate trainees require just 3 months’ experience with their company before they can perform an intra-company transfer.
In terms of other requirements, you need a Certificate of Sponsorship (easily acquired if your company is a licensed sponsor), at least in savings and an ‘appropriate salary’, which at the very least means a minimum of for long-term staff and for graduate trainees.
Processing time
Your application should be approved or rejected within 3 weeks, and you can’t apply any earlier than 3 months before you intend to move to the UK.
Fees
Long-term staff applicants looking to stay for over 3 years must pay , but if the duration of the stay is 3 years or less then the fee is only . Graduate trainee applicants are charged . Applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is per visa year. The same set of fees applies to each dependant that accompanies the applicant.
Tier 3
Ah, the visa that never was. When the UK’s immigration system was split into 5 tiers in 2008, the third tier was intended for filling unskilled labour shortages with people from outside the EEA. However, it was never used and in 2013 it was completely shut down. We thought we should tell you about this one, just in case you were wondering where tier 3 was.
Tier 4
If you’re temporarily relocating to the UK for educational reasons, then the single fourth tier visa might be the one for you.
General (student) visa
This is the main option taken by international students who intend to study in the UK. If you are at least 16 years old and have been offered a place at a university then you’ll need this visa to make things happen. You can bring dependants with you but there are some pretty specific requirements that change on a case-by-case basis, so do your research here.
Duration
Naturally, you’re allowed a bit of time to settle in before the beginning of your course. If the course is shorter than 6 months then you’re given an extra week at the start, but if you’ll be studying for more than 6 months then you can arrive up to one month before. There is also allowance made for time in the UK after the end of your course:
- Less than 6 months of study: One week of extra stay allowed
- Between 6 and 12 months of study: 2 months of extra stay allowed
- At least 12 months of study: 4 months of extra stay allowed
The overall length of the visa is determined by the length of the course, which can vary depending on your field of study and institution. It is possible to extend your visa in order to continue further with your existing course or even start a new one.
Requirements
Along with an unconditional offer for a place at a university in the UK, you also need enough personal funds to support yourself for the duration of your course. This amount varies and it depends on several factors, so it is normally determined once you have first submitted your application. Obviously proof of your English proficiency is also essential.
Processing time
You know the drill: your application should be approved or rejected within 3 weeks, and you can’t apply any earlier than 3 months before you intend to move to the UK.
Fees
Irrespective of the course or subject, it costs each applicant , and the Immigration Health Surcharge is per visa year. Any dependants must also pay these fees.
Tier 5
Two different kinds of visas make up the fifth tier.
Youth Mobility Scheme visa
This is the jack-of-all-trades visa, allowing you to study, work, set up your own business or just travel, combining the features of tiers 1, 2 and 4 but with a few more strings attached. Most crucially, you’re not able to apply if you live with (or are financially responsible for) any children, and family members cannot come with you as dependants on your application. Instead, they need to apply separately. As you can see, this kind of visa is more appropriate for a lone wolf. Furthermore, you have to be within the 18-30 age range.
Duration
You can live and work in the UK for a maximum of 2 years. Also, don’t worry about applying if you’re nearly 31; if you hit your 31st birthday while you’re in the UK, you can stay until your visa runs out. However, no visa extensions are possible.
Requirements
Not every nationality is allowed to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme. It’s limited to eight countries, and luckily Australia’s in there: Canada, Monaco, Hong Kong, Australia, Taiwan, Japan, Republic of Korea and New Zealand. You also need to be able to support yourself while you’re in the UK, so you must have at least £1,890 (3,273 AUD) in your bank account. Your application must score a minimum of 50 points, but your Australian nationality, adequate funds and age between 18-30 will give you the points required.
Processing time
This one’s a little different from the previously mentioned visas. The waiting time for a decision is the typical 3 weeks, but you can submit your application for the visa up to 6 months before you move to the UK.
Fees
Applications cost along with the additional fee for the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is per visa year.
Temporary worker visa
This visa, also known as a Government Authorised Exchange, is similar to the Tier 2 visa in that it allows you to work in the UK as long as you have a sponsor, but this visa is only short term. Once you get the Certificate of Sponsorship, you can come and work in the UK as long as the job isn’t permanent. You are also able to study, have a second (temporary) job and bring family members with you.
Duration
The maximum duration is the length of time stipulated on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 28 days, although the overall period of time cannot exceed 2 years. Visas can be extended multiple times by up to 2 years on each extension, but the overall time spent in the UK cannot exceed 6 years.
Requirements
Your application must score at least 40 points, with two key determinants being your valid Certificate of Sponsorship (worth 30 points) and sufficient financial maintenance (worth 10 points). You need at least £945 (1,301 AUD) in savings.
Processing time
Your application should be approved or rejected within 3 weeks, and you can’t apply any earlier than 3 months before you intend to move to the UK.
Fees
Applicants must pay along with the Immigrant Healthcare Surcharge, which is per visa year.
Non-tier
The 5-tier system is a nice way to divide up the different visas, but unfortunately there wasn’t space on the ladder for everything. A few special types of visa sit on their own, the most important and useful being the ancestry visa.
UK ancestry visa
Most importantly, this is only available to Commonwealth citizens, so if you’re Australian then you’ve passed the first hurdle. The visa allows you to live and work in the UK solely on the merit of who your grandparents are, and you can bring family members with you too.
Duration
You can stay in the UK for exactly 5 years, although you can apply to extend your visa by a further 5 years if you submit your request before the expiry date.
Requirements
The chief requirement is, unsurprisingly, your ancestry. You need to have at least one parent or grandparent that was born in the UK, and you need to be able to prove it with birth certificates. Alongside this, you must be at least 17 years old with enough personal savings and evidence of your intention to work in the UK.
Processing time
Your application should be approved or rejected within 3 weeks, and you can’t apply any earlier than 3 months before you intend to move to the UK.
Fees
An ancestry visa costs , and there is also the Immigration Health Surcharge of per visa year. Any dependants coming with you will have to pay the same set of fees.
Life after visas
For some people, visas just aren’t long enough. If you’re planning on moving to the UK permanently then you’ll probably be thinking about how to make things genuinely long term.
Indefinite leave to remain
Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is another term for permanent residence. It is permission from the UK government to stay in the country forever, as long as you intend to stay there. You can’t acquire ILR without holding some kind of visa first, but after a certain period of time the majority of UK visas permit a transition into ILR. Once you have become an official ‘settled person’, your family members are able to apply for the ‘family of a settled person’ visa, or UK Family Visa.
Duration
ILR does what it says on the tin – permitting indefinite residence – providing you don’t leave the UK for more than 2 years at any time.
Requirements
The requirements range hugely depending on what type of visa you hold when applying for ILR and how long you have lived in the UK. For example, if you have a Tier 2 General visa then you need to have had 5 years’ continuous UK residence and be earning at least £35,000 (48,196 AUD), but if you have a study visa then the requirements are rather different. It’s best to use this tool on gov.uk to work out your personal requirements for ILR. The one universal necessity is that you must complete the ‘Life in the UK’ test, which consists of 24 questions about various British traditions. You can complete this test at one of the many centres dotted around the UK.
Processing time
In the majority of cases, the waiting time after applying is a maximum of 6 months.
Fees
The fees are fairly consistent, irrespective of which visa you hold when you make your application; applicants must pay to apply by post and to apply in person. The Life in the UK test costs a further .
British citizenship
The next (and final) step up after ILR is citizenship: full, bona fide citizenship. The journey to acquiring it is fairly lengthy but it’s doable. There are two routes: by naturalisation or by registration. If you’ve lived in the UK for a minimum of 5 years and also held ILR for at least 12 months then you can apply to be naturalised as a British citizen. Registering as a citizen is more simple, but you need to have been born to at least one British parent or born in the UK on or after 1st January 1983. Currently, the fees for citizenship by naturalisation or registration are and respectively.
If you're considering a move to the UK, we also recommend you check out our detailed guide to healthcare in the UK.
Charlie Clissitt
Editor
Yorkshire-born and London-based, Charlie has been researching and writing about international relocation for over four years. He’s a well-travelled individual, although weirdly he’s still never been to Scotland.
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FAQs
Are Australian citizens allowed to work in UK? ›
Do Australian citizens need a visa to work in the UK? Australians can live in the UK visa-free for up to six months as a tourist. However, if you're looking to do any paid, unpaid or volunteer work while in the UK, you will need a working holiday visa.
What are the requirements for work permit in UK? ›To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must: work for a UK employer that's been approved by the Home Office. have a 'certificate of sponsorship' from your employer with information about the role you've been offered in the UK. do a job that's on the list of eligible occupations.
Is it easy to get work permit in UK? ›Getting a work visa in the UK isn't always easy, as there are fairly strict eligibility criteria. However, there are opportunities available especially for specialists, skilled workers, and younger people looking to work and travel.
Is it hard to get work permit in England? ›Is it difficult to get a UK work visa? Some UK work visas are more difficult to obtain than others, with different route-specific requirements. In many cases, the applicant will need to have the offer of a job meeting minimum skill and salary requirements from a licensed sponsor.
How long can an Australian work in UK? ›You can live and work in the UK for a maximum of 2 years. Also, don't worry about applying if you're nearly 31; if you hit your 31st birthday while you're in the UK, you can stay until your visa runs out. However, no visa extensions are possible. Not every nationality is allowed to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
How long can Australians stay in UK? ›You may be able to extend your stay if you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months. You can extend your stay up to a total of 6 months. You can only apply to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months if you're: a patient receiving medical treatment.
Are you eligible to work in the UK? ›You automatically have the right to work in the UK if: you're a British or Irish citizen. you have pre-settled or settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme - or you've applied and you're waiting for a decision. you have a family permit from the EU Settlement Scheme.
How long does it take to get a UK work permit? ›You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or use the ID Check app, if you are applying for a visa to work or invest in the UK.
How can I get work permit in UK without job offer? ›You must have a job offer from an approved UK employer before you apply for a Skilled Worker visa. Approved employers are also known as sponsors, because they are sponsoring you to come to or stay in the UK.
How much money is required for work visa in UK? ›If skilled workers must come to the UK, they need to have the Skilled Worker visa. (formerly the Tier 2 visa). You can apply for this visa if you have been offered a skilled job in the UK. The salary requirements for this visa is £25,600, or the specific salary requirement for the occupation or the 'going rate'.
Do companies in UK sponsor work permits? ›
A UK employer that wants to hire foreign workers in their organization will be asked to sponsor them in their visa application, by granting them with a certificate of sponsorship for work. The longest an employer can sponsor a foreign worker is five years.
Can I move to UK without a job? ›Yes, you can move to the UK without a job if you have enough money to support yourself and if you are born to British parents or qualify for one of the following visa's: Tier 5 Youth Mobility (this is country and age-restricted) UK Ancestry.
How hard is it to get skilled worker visa UK? ›You need 70 points to qualify for this visa. While it is mandatory to have a job offer from an approved sponsor, if you have a job at the appropriate skill level and have English language skills at the appropriate level you will score 50 points.
How long does it take to get skilled worker visa UK? ›Once you've applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. It's currently taking 4 weeks on average to get a decision on Skilled Worker visas.
How much does it cost a company to sponsor a visa UK? ›Immigration Skills Charge
For a medium or large sponsor, the charge is £1,000 for the first year and £500 for each additional six months. The cost of sponsoring someone for five years would be £5,000.
Ancestry Visas
You must be able and planning to work in the UK. You will need to apply for your visa before you fly to the UK. You can apply up to 3 months before you travel and should expect to hear a decision within around 3 weeks. Visas currently cost A$650 (or £405 GBP).
In alphabetical order, these are the 45 countries that offer working holiday visas to Australian citizens as of 2022: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, ...
Do Aussies need a visa for UK? ›If you're travelling to the UK as a tourist for less than 6 months, you usually don't require a visa. If you're planning to visit the UK for more than 6 months or for any purpose other than tourism, you should consult UK Home Office for the most up-to-date information.
How much is a UK visa from Australia? ›| Visa types | Visa application fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) | 188 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) | 706 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) | 1258 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) | 1572 |
- Find employment.
- Find the correct visa type.
- Apply for the visa.
- Move to the UK.
- Get an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
How can I work in UK? ›
work for a UK employer that's been approved by the Home Office. have a 'certificate of sponsorship' from your employer with information about the role you've been offered in the UK. do a job that's on the list of eligible occupations. be paid a minimum salary – how much depends on the type of work you do.
Do you have the right to live and work in the UK? ›You have a right to reside in the UK if any of the following is true: you have 'right of abode' in the UK, if you're a British citizen. you're a citizen of Ireland. you have pre-settled or settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme.
Can I work with a visitor visa in UK? ›If you want to work in the UK
You cannot do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person as a visitor. You'll need to apply for a work visa. If you're being paid by a UK organisation as an expert in your profession, you may get permission to visit the UK for a Permitted Paid Engagement.
- Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)
- International Agreement visa (Temporary Work)
- Religious Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
- Graduate visa.
Applicants don't need to have a job offer or be sponsored by a UK employer. Under the High Potential Individual route, visa holders can stay for two years, or three years if they have a degree that is comparable to a UK PhD.
Can Skilled Worker visa be refused? ›It is common for Skilled Worker visa applicants to receive a refusal because they do not meet the salary requirements for their job. This might be because they have misread the rules and have used the lower salary threshold incorrectly.
What is the age limit for a UK working visa? ›What is the age limit for a UK working visa? You can apply if you are aged above 18 years on the date of application.
Can I apply for a work permit without a job? ›The requirements for a general work visa for South Africa stipulate that you must have a job offer before applying for the visa. You can apply for a critical skills visa without having a job offer in place. Once you have the visa, however, you must find suitable employment within 12 months.
Can I go to UK and search for job? ›No, it is not allowed. You must not look for work while on a tourist visa. If you do, and you get caught, you will be deported, and banned from being allowed a visa in future.
What is the minimum salary to get sponsorship in UK? ›You can be paid between 70% and 90% of the usual going rate for your job if your salary is at least £20,480 per year and you meet one of the following criteria: your job is in a shortage occupation.
How much bank balance is required for UK visa? ›
You must submit 6 months of bank statements that clearly show your monthly salary and financial commitments. There must not be any large deposits of cash other than your salary. Total savings must be at least twice your proposed UK trip expenses.
How much is a UK visa 2022? ›The 2 year visitor visa is £361 per applicant, £655 for 5 years or £822 for 10 years.
How do I get a sponsor to work in the UK? ›- Check your business is eligible.
- Check if your job is suitable for sponsorship.
- Choose the type of licence you want to apply for - this will depend on what type of worker you want to sponsor.
- Decide who will manage sponsorship within your business.
- Apply online and pay the fee.
Do I need to be sponsored to apply for a visa? In order to apply for most work visas, you'll usually need to gain a job offer with sponsorship from an employer in the UK first. This employer must also be approved by the Home Office and be on itsr list of eligible employers.
How do you convince a company to sponsor you? ›- Research potential sponsors. Look at your existing supporters. ...
- Tell your organization's story. ...
- Provide sponsor incentives. ...
- Reach out to established companies. ...
- Use data to legitimize your pitch. ...
- Find the right contact. ...
- Build a connection over time. ...
- Follow up.
- Tier 1 Visa for highly skilled immigrants through a points-based system.
- Tier 2 Visa.
- Skilled worker visa for individuals who are sponsored by an employer in the UK.
- Tier 5 Provisional Work Visa through the Youth Mobility Scheme.
Get a UK Visa and Residence Permit
Contrary to popular belief, you need a visa to move to the UK if you are an American citizen. The only exception to this is that if you are visiting with no long-term plans, you can stay in the UK without a visa for six months – but you cannot work during your visa-free stay.
While a decent salary is an important reason to immigrate to the United Kingdom, the cost of living can be a drawback. In 2022 the UK is experiencing a “cost of living crisis”. Brought on by Brexit, COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine inflation is at its highest rate in 40 years.
What is the minimum salary for Skilled Worker visa? ›Once in the Skilled Worker route, you will be on a route settlement. You must have spent a continuous period of 5 years in the UK on this basis. To settle, a Skilled Worker's salary must be at least £25,600 per year and at least the going rate for the occupation code. There are only two exceptions to this.
Do you need a degree for a Skilled Worker visa? ›Whether you hold a PhD, a degree or A level standard qualification your skills and qualification don't affect the need for you to find an employer who will sponsor you and allocate you a Certificate of Sponsorship under their Sponsor Licence.
What are the documents required for UK Skilled Worker visa? ›
- your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this.
- proof of your knowledge of English.
- a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality.
- your job title and annual salary.
- your job's occupation code.
T2 or Skilled Worker visa. You'll usually need to be paid at least whichever is the highest out of the following: £25,600 per year. £10.10 per hour.
Is there a time limit to enter UK after getting Skilled Worker visa? ›If a Skilled Worker visa holder arrives more than 4 weeks late, their sponsorship would have to be withdrawn which would result in their Skilled Worker visa being cancelled. The 4 weeks are counted from either the Skilled Worker CoS start date or the date the Skilled Worker visa is issued, whichever is later.
What are the benefits of Skilled Worker visa UK? ›One of the main benefits of the Skilled Worker Visa is that if you do plan to stay in the UK permanently, rather than just extending your visa, you can acquire permanent residency by applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after 5 years.
Can anyone sponsor me to UK? ›A friend, family member or business associate can be the sponsor in support of the UK Visitor Visa application. The documents required to sponsor UK Visitor Visa include proof of accommodation and the sponsor's bank balance.
Do employers pay for work visas UK? ›You must pay the immigration skills charge if they're applying for a visa from: outside the UK to work in the UK for 6 months or more. inside the UK for any length of time.
Is it hard to get sponsored in UK? ›Is it difficult to get a UK work visa? Some UK work visas are more difficult to obtain than others, with different route-specific requirements. In many cases, the applicant will need to have the offer of a job meeting minimum skill and salary requirements from a licensed sponsor.
Which countries can Australian citizens work? ›In alphabetical order, these are the 45 countries that offer working holiday visas to Australian citizens as of 2022: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, ...
Do Australian citizens need a visa for UK? ›If you're travelling to the UK as a tourist for less than 6 months, you usually don't require a visa. If you're planning to visit the UK for more than 6 months or for any purpose other than tourism, you should consult UK Home Office for the most up-to-date information.
Can Australian citizens get UK citizenship? ›Both Australia and the United Kingdom allow Dual Nationality. This means that a person can hold nationality (and the passport) of both countries.
How do I apply for a job in the UK from Australia? ›
- informal phone or video interview.
- a visit to the Randstad office in UK to complete registration forms (bring documentation).
- permanent job seekers will then have an interview with their potential employer.
- for temporary contracts you may not be required to take the second interview.
You automatically have the right to work in the UK if: you're a British or Irish citizen. you have pre-settled or settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme - or you've applied and you're waiting for a decision. you have a family permit from the EU Settlement Scheme.
How long can an Australian citizen stay out of Australia? ›If you intend to move overseas for six months (183 days) or more in any twelve month period, you must notify the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). From the date of leaving Australia you must do this within 7 days.
Where can Australians work with no visa? ›1. New Zealand. NZ is by far the easiest option for an Aussie who's looking to work overseas. You can literally rock up without a visa and start working, just as you would in Australia.
How can I get work permit in UK without job offer? ›CRITERIA. You don't need a job offer or sponsorship to qualify for the visa. You can go to the UK and set up as self-employed or volunteer. This visa can only be granted once and will not be available to those who have already had Graduate visa.
Can I work in the UK without a visa? ›Non-British or Irish Citizens must have a work permit to enable them to work in the UK, this includes any EEA or Swiss national who was not resident in the UK before 1 January 2021. The work that they can undertake will depend on the type of work permit they hold.
How can I work in UK? ›work for a UK employer that's been approved by the Home Office. have a 'certificate of sponsorship' from your employer with information about the role you've been offered in the UK. do a job that's on the list of eligible occupations. be paid a minimum salary – how much depends on the type of work you do.
Can I live in UK with Australian passport? ›Yes, Australians can live and work in the UK. First you need to determine whether you can get a UK passport or what visa will allow you to do so.
Can an Australian have dual citizenship? ›Many Australians hold two or more nationalities. As well as holding Australian citizenship, they are citizens (or 'nationals') of another country. If you are a dual national travelling to the country of your other nationality, you need to know how your citizenship can impact you.
What is the fastest way to get British citizenship? ›5 Year Route To British Citizenship
If you have been living in the UK for 5 years or more and had Indefinite Leave to remain for a minimum of 12 months you may be eligible to apply for Citizenship. There are other requirements to be met such as Life in the UK test and residency.
How can I move to England for work? ›
- Find employment.
- Find the correct visa type.
- Apply for the visa.
- Move to the UK.
- Get an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
- Apply for a work permit. ...
- Choose a neighbourhood that ticks all your boxes.
- Find a home. ...
- Choose an international removal company. ...
- Get help from the experts (optional)
- Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)
- Prove you have right of abode in the UK.
- Apply to stay in the UK as a stateless person.