Work in the UK

There are several ways to work in the UK. Whether you’re a highly skilled professional, an unskilled worker, an entrepreneur, or even a visiting student, you may qualify for a UK work visa. The benefits of working in the UK are many including access to world-class health care, charming culture, and the ability to work with some of the world’s greatest minds at the forefront of the global village.

• Bulgarian & Romanian Nationals
• Commonwealth Citizens with UK Ancestry
• High Value Migrants
• Nationals of countries in the EEA & Switzerland
• Skilled Workers
• Temporary Workers
• Healthcare in the UK
• FAQ's
• Additional Resources

Bulgarian & Romanian Nationals

Since January 1, 2007, Bulgarians and Romanians, as European Economic Area (EEA) nationals, have been granted permission to freely reside in the UK, meaning they do not need a special visa to enter or remain. However, Bulgarian and Romanian nationals do need permission to work.

*Accession Work Cards are also known as Purple Work Cards. They are purple and have a serial number beginning with the letter H. You do not need an Accession Worker Card if you are: coming to the UK under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS), and you hold a valid work card issued by a SAWS operator; or you were given permission to enter or remain in the UK before January 1, 2007 and your passport has been endorsed with a condition restricting your employment to a particular employer or category of employment.

**Registration Certificates are only required for certain types of employment. Blue Registration Certificates indicate that the person has full access to the domestic labour market and are issued to persons such as highly skilled migrants and spouses of UK nationals. Yellow Registration Certificates are for students, self-employed persons, or self-sufficient persons. All other persons will need an Accession Worker Card.

***The spouses, civil partners, children under 21 years of age or dependent children, and dependent direct relatives such as parents or grandparents are allowed to accompany the Bulgarian or Romanian worker to the UK. Work permission may be granted as well depending on the family member’s eligibility.

Commonwealth Citizens

Commonwealth citizens with UK ancestry are eligible to live and work in the UK. To be eligible for this category you must be at least 17 years or over, and be able to adequately support yourself and dependents without help from public funds. You must also show your ancestry, proving that at least 1 of your grandparents was born in the UK before March 31, 1922; in the Republic of Ireland; or on a British-registered ship or aircraft.

*The VAF2 visa allows you to work and live in the UK for a period of 5 years. You apply for permanent residency (ILR) after this period.

**Dependent family members are allowed to accompany the initial applicant to the UK. Dependent family members are: spouse, civil partner or eligible partner, or children under 18 years of age.

High-Value Migrants

The High-Value Migrant visa category is designated for the best and brightest nationals of foreign countries. You may qualify for this category if you are a person of exceptional talent, an entrepreneur, an investor, or a highly educated professional. Eligibility for this category is determined through a point-based system through factors such as age, profession, and experience.

*Dependent family members are allowed to accompany the initial applicant to the UK. Dependent family members are: spouse, civil partner or eligible partner, or children under 18 years of age.

European Nationals

Nationals of countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are eligible to work in the UK. Unless you are a national of Bulgaria or Romania, you do not need permission to live or work in the UK. Nationals of EEA countries and Switzerland are eligible to: accept offers of work; work as an employee or in self-employment; set up a business; manage a company; and set up a local branch of a company. These nationals are also able to do these types of work if they are studying in the UK.

*While it is not necessary to obtain a registration certificate, you may apply for one to simplify your application process and to act as identification while in the UK.

**The residence card is to be used by non-EEA or non-Swiss nationals who are family members of the EEA or Swiss national residing in the UK. While it is not necessary to obtain a residence card, the family member may apply for one to simplify his or her application process and to act as identification while in the UK.

Skilled Workers

Certain skilled workers are eligible to work in the UK. Unless you are a national of the EEA or Switzerland, you will need to obtain permission to work and live in the UK. Skilled workers will apply for a Tier2 visa and then select a specific category within that – General, Minister of Religion, Sportsperson, or Intra Company Transfer.

*Dependent family members are allowed to accompany the initial applicant to the UK. Dependent family members are: spouse, civil partner or eligible partner, or children under 18 years of age.

Temporary Workers

Certain temporary workers are eligible to work in the UK. Unless you are a national of the EEA or Switzerland, you will need to obtain permission to work and live in the UK. Skilled workers will apply for the Tier 5 visa and then select a specific category within that – Creative and Sporting; Charity Workers; Religious Workers; Government Authorised Exchange; International Agreement; or Youth Mobility Scheme.

*Dependent family members are allowed to accompany the initial applicant to the UK. Dependent family members are: spouse, civil partner or eligible partner, or children under 18 years of age.

UK Healthcare

UK visa holders are able to receive healthcare from the National Health Service (NHS). Depending on the status of your residency, some or even all of the healthcare services may be free of charge.

UK visa holders, who have permission to live in the UK temporarily (limited leave to remain), may register with a local general practitioner and receive free treatment. You may also receive free hospital care.

UK permanent residents receive free treatment by a general practitioner or at a hospital.

UK visitors receive free treatment for emergencies or accidents, treatment for certain infectious diseases, compulsory psychiatric treatment, and family planning services.

FAQ's

1. What is Temporary Leave to Remain (TLR)?

Temporary Leave to Remain (TLR) is the term used to identify persons who have temporary permission to live in the UK. The term differs from Indefinite Leave to Remain which is the designation for persons who are granted to live and work in the UK indefinitely.

2. What is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?

Indefinite Leave to Remain is the term used to identify persons who have been granted permission to live and work in the UK indefinitely. ILR’s may eventually apply for UK citizenship.

3. What is a Registration Certificate?

Registration certificates are required for certain Bulgarian or Romanian nationals working in the UK. They designate the type of work for which the person is eligible.

A Registration Certificate is also used by European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss nationals and their EEA or Swiss national family members. The certificate confirms the person’s right to reside in the UK. This document is not required, but may be used to simplify application processes and to be used as identification.

4. What is a Residence Card?

A Residence Card is a document to be used by non-European Economic Area (EEA) or non-Swiss nationals who are family members of EEA or Swiss nationals residing in the UK. The certificate confirms the person’s right to reside in the UK. This document is not required, but may be used to simplify application processes and to be used as identification.

5. What are the Commonwealth countries?
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Botswana
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Kiribati
• Lesotho
• Mauritius
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Swaziland
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Gibraltar

Additional Resources

British Army for Commonwealth Citizens: http://www.army.mod.uk/welfare-support/23209.aspx

British Embassy, USA: http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/other-locations/la/

British Embassy, Australia: http://ukinaustralia.fco.gov.uk/en/

British Embassy, Turkey: http://ukinturkey.fco.gov.uk/en/

British Embassy, Canada: http://ukincanada.fco.gov.uk/en/

European Economic Area: http://www.efta.int/eea.aspx

Job Board for EU and Commonwealth Citizens: http://commonwealthcontractors.com/uk-contracting/european-solutions-for-uk-visa-holders/

Turkish Nationals, ECAA: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/turkish/workers/

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/