Eligibility To Work

Destination: UK

For all those not in possession of a UK or EU passport, a valid work visa must be obtained for all temporary and contract assignments. The type of passport and visa you hold will have a big impact on the career options available to you in the UK.

We suggest you apply for your visa 3 months before your proposed departure date; although for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) visa you should apply at least 6 months prior.

Whichever visa you apply for, you should ensure you have a valid passport (which will remain valid for at least 6 months after your intended return date). Temporary passports are not accepted.

The various visa options available are:

• Right of Abode: This is available if your mother is British. (NB: A British passport is available if your father is British.)

• Spousal Visa: You can apply for this if your spouse if British. Eligibility is for 12 months after which you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK.

• Ancestry Visa: The Ancestry visa entitles you to work in the UK for 5 years if one of your grandparents was born in the UK and you can prove this with birth certificates. Currently this visa can be renewed multiple times but the Home Office has made recent statements indicating the curtailment of these rights. Check www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.

• Working Holiday Visa (WHV): This visa is no longer available for South Africans but allows Australians and New Zealanders to live in the UK for up to 2 years and to work for 52 weeks in their chosen profession, although currently being renewed to enable you to work for 2 years.

  Changes are being made to this visa including renaming it 'Tier 5' and allowing work to be undertaken for the whole of the two years. Before applying for this visa, ensure you are up to date by visiting www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

  If currently traveling on a WHV we strongly recommend you consider applying for a HSMP.

• Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP): The HSMP allows you to live and work in the UK for up to three years without needing an employer to sponsor you. There is a right to renew this visa for a further two years if you still meet the points requirement.

• The scheme is points-based on the following categories:

  • MBA (certain universities only).

  • Age (the younger you are when you apply the more points you earn).

  • Previous earnings.

  • Previous work or study in the UK.

  • Mandatory English language requirement.

The fee for the HSMP is higher and it is easier to apply for whilst still in your home country (see below) but, once you arrive in the UK, you will be seen as more employable than someone with a WHV, are able to stay longer and subsequently have the potential to earn more money.

In order to earn points towards the HSMP, your earnings from the previous 12 months should be (at a minimum):

In addition, you will need to prove £2,800 has been in your bank account for the three months prior to applying (and £400 for the renewal period).

Check other criteria and to see if you will qualify on the point's system by visiting www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator or www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk

The newly introduced 'Tiered' immigration system no longer allows you to switch from the WHV to the HSMP meaning you must return home to apply for a HSMP. This is unfortunate as you will be uncertain how long you will need to wait at home for the visa to be processed and current applications are subject to lengthy delays. For this reason we recommend you apply for the HSMP before moving to the UK if you anticipate wishing to work here more than a few months.

For each country of departure we have teamed up with local visa specialists. Although you can apply for the HSMP yourself, using a specialists expertise can simplify the whole experience.

For up to date and comprehensive information about all UK immigration matters, go to www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk