Obtaining a Visa to Work in the United Kingdom

Keep in mind that the application process will vary depending on your current country of citizenship. In fact, depending on your length of stay and other personal factors, you may not be required to obtain a visa at all. Feel free to submit a general inquiry for free and get answers from licensed UK Immigration Solicitors through Relocate.

Meanwhile, here are some more tips on United Kingdom visa eligibility and applications:

• A visa is not required for U.S. citizens with a valid passport residing in the United Kingdom for business purposes during stays up to 180 days.
• If you are not a U.S. citizen, it might be best to apply for a standard visitor visa.
• Partners and family members, including dependent children of temporary migrant workers and British citizens, can apply for visas to help keep families together.
• Provided that you have been living in the United Kingdom as a migrant worker for a designated period, you might be eligible for permanent residency status. There are other ways to obtain British citizenship, but a visa might be the best option to start, depending on your employment offer.

What type of work are you looking for?

As a foreigner, you might be unfamiliar with the current job market in the United Kingdom. If this is the case, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the types of skills employers are looking for and the kinds of jobs currently available in the country.

A great place to start is to explore the skill shortages list provided by the United Kingdom government. The list can inform you of current industry sectors with a high demand for new employees to enter the workforce.

If the skill shortages list does not apply to you or your profession, no need to fret. This is still vital information to be aware of when entering a new job market. Consider conducting additional research about the country’s current economy to see how your professional sector has been fairing recently. You might also consider researching to see if any specific companies within your industry are currently hiring.

You can also browse through licensed UK Immigration Solicitors that specialize in work-related visa matters and request an in-depth consultation that is tailored to address your specific circumstances.

Where You Want to Live and Work in the United Kingdom

Quick geography reminder — the United Kingdom consists of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. With this in mind, the region you want to live and work in will significantly affect your job prospects and overall work experience once you get started.

London is a well-known city that attracts tourists and travelers alike. As far as job prospects go, it may not be the top choice for those looking to work in a growing job market. On the other hand, Cambridge is an up-and-coming major city with ample job potential for recent graduates.

Other cities with growing economies include Oxford, Brighton and Hove, York, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Norwich, Bristol, Bournemouth, Birmingham, and Reading. Career hot spots can also be found in Manchester, home to a booming manufacturing and media industry, as well as Southampton, rich in naval and maritime history. Regions with many jobs also include Glasgow, Leeds, and Liverpool.

Tips for Getting a Job in the United Kingdom

Applying for a job in the United Kingdom as a foreigner poses a fair set of challenges. Most employers prefer to meet candidates in person. Moreover, the United Kingdom job market tends to move quickly, so it is not infrequent for migrant workers to get lost in the crowded economy. However, there are some tactics you can use to get a step ahead of your competition.

The easiest way to secure a job in the United Kingdom is to find one that qualifies for the short-skilled area where demand for your professional skills is extremely high. The job type on this list will vary but has a specific set of criteria.

If you are still looking for a job but are in a rush to move, consider securing a placement holder role until you can secure one more aligned with your career. For example, jobs in the hospitality sector like bartending, waitressing, or other service industries have a quick turnover rate that may work in your favor as a foreigner. You can easily have a service job lined up fairly quickly, thanks to the size of the industry.

That way, you can still move within your ideal time frame while also having at least some kind of financial footing to support yourself while getting settled there. There are numerous other large industries with ample employment opportunities, including teaching, teaching assistant roles, social work, and administrative support (particularly in the finance sector).

Live-in pub jobs are another fun, pre-arranged job opportunity. Best of all, the role will provide housing accommodations — one less thing to worry about. Similarly, some nanny or child care roles can provide a transitional means of moving into the country and securing a stable place to live and work right off the bat. The demand is high within this sector, so there is ample room for flexibility and negotiation on the terms and conditions of employment with a family.

Workaway experiences operate employment in a similar fashion — you delegate your time working in labor roles, either skilled or unskilled, which is returned with the benefits of board and lodging. There is no direct monetary compensation involved in this type of agreement, so you will not be required to obtain a visa. Contract work similarly provides an alternative employment structure that can allow you to quickly find employment with flexibility, which might translate into extra time off to travel and financial advantages like lower tax rates.

A major advantage when getting a job abroad might be having a direct connection with someone in the company or even sector area. This will give you an enhanced level of credibility and trust with potential employers. Professional connections can also help you with referrals and answer any questions you may have about life in the U.K. or inquiries about what it is like to work at a particular company. Sometimes, it is not what you know but rather who you know.

If you do not currently know anyone in the country or are unsure where to start, consider joining professional associations in the United Kingdom relevant to your career interests. Even if you have not moved to the region yet, this is a great way to meet and connect with professionals in your industry. Meet-ups for your industry are another great way to network with companies and organizations to help you get noticed by employers.

As with any job opportunity, it is vital to do your research. Make sure you know as much as possible about the companies and organizations that you apply to, particularly the ones that are your top choices for career advancement.

You will also want to familiarize yourself with the local region and customs, nuances, and preferences. Despite being a foreigner, you do not want to look like a total outsider during possible interviews! The information will also help you while polishing your resume and drafting cover letters.

Moreover, you will want to know about the country you will be living and working in. You should anticipate cultural nuances to even come up in the workplace once you get started and may even be highly relevant to the area you wish to work in professionally.