Working in the UK
Do I need a visa?
This section provides details of most of the categories available to people who want come to the United Kingdom to work. Each category has different eligibility requirements, you should make sure you read the eligibility requirements in full before you make your application.
- Points-based system: Tier 1 - arrangements for migrants already in the United Kingdom
- Points-based system: Tier 2 - skilled workers
- Points-based system: Tier 5 - youth mobility scheme
- Work permits
- Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
- Clinical attachments and dental observer posts
- Entertainers
- Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland
- International Graduates Scheme
- Investors
- Ministers of religion, missionaries and members of religious orders
- Overseas qualified nurses and midwives
- Postgraduate doctors and dentist
- Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme
- Sole representatives of overseas firms
- Voluntary workers
- Working holidaymakers
- Points-based system: Tier 1 (General) highly skilled workers
- Points-based system: Tier 5 - temporary workers
- Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
- Au pairs
- Business persons
- Domestic workers
- Film crew on location
- Gap year
- Innovators
- Japan: Youth Exchange Scheme
- Overseas government employees
- Overseas qualified doctors taking the performance and linguistic assessments board test
- Representatives of overseas media organisations
- Sectors Based Scheme
- Sportspeople
- Worker Registration Scheme
News & updates
- Addition of chartered quantity surveyors to the national shortage occupation list
- Changes to the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme and the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme
- Changes to the allocation of work permit applications to business teams
- Changes to the Immigration Rules - leave to remain and settlement
Terms explained
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Application
A formal request you make to us, asking us to consider giving you a particular thing. For example, you may make an application for permission to stay in the United Kingdom, for British citizenship, or to be recognised as a refugee. An application will usually be in writing, using an official form (application form) we produce for that type of request. Applications to be recognised as a refugee are known as asylum applications, and these do not require an application form. See the Asylum section for information on this type of application.