Important Tips When Moving To The UK For Work

Are you considering a move to the UK for work in 2024? There are some new rules for a work visa.

What else do you need to consider before leaving your old life behind? This article provides essential information on securing a much-needed work visa.

Two Types Of Work Visas Explained

There are a few visa options for a worker moving to the UK. Some visas do not require a job offer, for example, the UK Ancestry Visa. With this visa, you can work in the UK for up to five years. Your partner or child is also welcome. However, you can not change your visa to a different one; you’d need to review the qualifications required for that type of visa.

Other visas don’t need a job offer. However, we will focus on the eligibility for the following two types of work visas:

• Skilled Worker Visa
• Seasonal Worker Visa

Points Based System (PBS)

The points-based system is used to stem the immigration flow into the UK. Whether you’re a skilled or seasonal worker, you must score the prerequisite points to get your work visa.

What is a skilled worker?

Skilled workers need 70 points. From Spring (April 2024), skilled workers need a job offer with an annual income of £29,000 or more. The job offer will provide 20 points.

With a PhD in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), a skilled worker can earn 20 points towards the 70 points needed for a skilled worker visa.

A desired skilled level will also add another 20 points, and speaking English will add 10 points.

What is a seasonal worker?

Typically, seasonal workers are hired by businesses in horticulture or poultry. Employed for up to six months during the picking season or around ten weeks for poultry work, seasonal worker visas incur fees and need to be sponsored.

Sponsorship

For work visas, workers have a job offer from an employer with a sponsorship licence.

What is a sponsorship licence?

A sponsorship licence allows a UK employer to sponsor a non-UK worker for a work visa. If you have a UK business keen on hiring you, read on to find out what all UK businesses need to know about obtaining a sponsorship licence.

Who needs a sponsorship licence?

A sponsorship licence is required for any UK employer that wants to hire a non-UK worker and sponsor them for a work visa. This includes both skilled and unskilled workers.

How to apply for a sponsorship licence

To apply for a sponsorship licence, the UK business must complete an online application on the UK government’s website. Plus, they need to provide information about their business, including:

• Company registration number
• Financial information

Plus, it’s a prerequisite for UK organizations to demonstrate they have a genuine vacancy and that there is no suitable candidate within the UK.

What happens after applying for a sponsorship licence?

Once the UK business has submitted its application, the UK government will review it to ensure it meets the eligibility requirements. A sponsorship licence is granted if the application is approved, and sponsoring non-UK workers for work visas can commence.

How long does a sponsorship licence last?

A sponsorship licence is valid for four years, after which the business must reapply for a visa. At this time, the company must provide updated information about its business and demonstrate that it continues to meet the eligibility requirements.

How to manage sponsored workers

As a sponsor, you’ll be responsible for managing the sponsored workers in your employ, including the following:

• Keeping track of their work hours
• Ensuring they have the necessary training and support
• Reporting any changes to their employment status

You’ll also need to keep records of your sponsored workers and make them available to the UK government upon request.

Moving Abroad Tips

Let’s explore ways to make the process of immigrating for work hassle-free.

Research

Research your destination country’s job market and local economy to ensure you clearly understand what to expect.

Contact professionals and organizations that can help you with the process, such as immigration lawyers, job agencies, and cultural exchange programs.

Planning

Start planning and preparing as early as possible, as moving abroad can take several months or longer. Make lists of what you must do and prioritize them based on importance and deadlines.

Be organized and keep all your documents and information in one place for easy access.

Challenges

Sometimes, you may wonder if you’ve made the right decision to move abroad.

Some shared personal challenges to be aware of include the following:

• Adjusting to a new culture, language, and way of life
• Navigating the complex bureaucracy and legal requirements associated with moving abroad
• Finding and securing a job in a foreign country
• Establishing a social network in your new location
• Dealing with homesickness and missing your loved ones back home

How you deal with culture change can set you up for success in all areas of your life, not just your career.

Do your research, and with careful planning and a positive attitude, you can overcome the complexity of the visa eligibility requirements.

Build a social network by joining groups on social media and participating in discussion forums. LinkedIn would be ideal for skilled workers keen to connect with individuals in the UK with similar skills and experience.

Final Words

You can start a new life in a different country like the UK. Use this information and check the latest guidelines and requirements on the official UK government website or consult with an immigration professional because policies may change, and additional requirements might be in place.