About United Kingdom Work Visa
The UK's strong economy and global business connections offer opportunities in finance, IT, healthcare, and engineering. The country's points-based immigration system facilitates skilled workers from India to contribute to its dynamic workforce. Before we learn more about this, here are some key facts about the United Kingdom.
| Key Fact | Details |
| Capital | London |
| Currency | British Pound Sterling (GBP 1 = INR 108.70) |
| Language | English |
| Time Zone | GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) / BST (British Summer Time) |
| Popular Tourist Destinations | London, Edinburgh, Bath, Stonehenge, the Lake District |
| Visa Processing Time | 3 weeks |
United Kingdom Work Visa Fee
You must pay the United Kingdom work visa fees according to the specific type of work visa you have applied for. Here is the detailed list of United Kingdom work visa fees.
| Visa Type | Visa Application Fee (INR) |
| Skilled Worker (up to 3 years) | 80,119 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker (up to 3 years) | 80,119 |
| T2 Minister of Religion | 80,119 |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | 1,58,233 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker (more than 3 years) | 1,58,233 |
| International Sportsperson (12 months or less) | 33,207 |
| International Sportsperson (over 12 months) | 80,119 |
| Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List, up to 3 years, after April 4, 2024) | 61,399 |
| Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee | 33,207 |
| Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier | 33,207 |
| Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker | 33,207 |
| Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker | 33,207 |
| High Potential Individual | 91,597 |
| Scale-up | 91,597 |
| Temporary Work - Charity Work | 33,207 |
| Temporary Work - Creative Worker | 33,207 |
| Temporary Work - Government Authorised Exchange | 33,207 |
| Temporary Work - Religious Worker | 33,207 |
| Temporary Work - Youth Mobility Scheme | 33,207 |
| Temporary Worker - Seasonal Work | 33,207 |
| Temporary Work - International Agreement | 33,207 |
| Offshore Worker | 70,982 |
| Overseas Domestic Worker in a Private Household | 70,982 |
| Representative of an Overseas Business | 80,119 |
| Employee of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency, or Broadcasting Organisation | 80,119 |
| Sheep Shearer | 70,982 |
| UK Ancestry | 70,982 |
| Innovator Founder | 1,32,715 |
| Endorsement Fee (Innovator Founder route) | 1,11,432 (excluding VAT) |
| Contact Point Meeting with Endorsing Body (Innovator Founder route) | 55,716 (excluding VAT) |
| Start-up | 48,473 |
| Global Talent (Approval Letter Required) | 21,395 |
| Approval Letter (Global Talent) | 58,390 |
| Global Talent (Approval Letter Not Required) | 79,785 |
| Global Talent (Dependants Only) | 79,785 |
*Visa fee subject to exchange rate fluctuations
Documents Required for United Kingdom Work Visa for Indians
You must attach relevant documents along with your United Kingdom work visa application to prove your intentions, financial capability, and more. The requirements are different for each visa type. Here's a table summarising various requirements.
Note: This is a generic list of documents. Additional documents may be required for each specific visa type. Please refer to the individual visa pages for reference.
| Document | Description |
| Certificate of sponsorship reference number | Obtain this number from your employer. |
| Proof of English language proficiency | Provide evidence of your knowledge of English. |
| Valid passport or identity document | Submit a passport or another document that verifies your identity and nationality. |
| Photo requirements | Two identical photographs that are: #1. 45 mm high and 35 mm wide. #2. They should not be a cropped version of a larger photo. #3. The size of your image from the crown to your chin should be 29 mm wide and 34 mm high. #4. The photo should be clear and must contain only your head. #5. It should not contain other people, objects, or even shadows. |
| Job title and annual salary | Include information about your job title and your annual salary. |
| Occupation code | Provide the specific code associated with your job. |
| Employer details | Provide the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number, as indicated on your certificate of sponsorship. |
| Evidence of personal savings | Show proof of sufficient funds to support yourself in the UK, such as bank statements, unless your certificate of sponsorship confirms employer support. |
| Proof of relationship | If applicable, provide evidence of your relationship with your partner or children applying with you. |
| Tuberculosis test results | Submit test results if you are from a listed country. |
| Criminal record certificate | Required if you work in certain jobs such as education, healthcare, therapy, or social services. |
| ATAS certificate | Include a valid ATAS certificate if required by your employer for research involving sensitive subjects at PhD level or higher. |
Types of United Kingdom Work Visa
The United Kingdom visa has a huge variety to accommodate different types of applicants. Here is a list of the United Kingdom work visa types. The validity of each visa type may be different.
Visas You Can Apply for Without a Job Offer
- Graduate visa
- India Young Professionals Scheme visa
- Global Talent visa
- UK Ancestry visa
- High Potential Individual (HPI) visa
Visa Types That Let You Work in the UK for Your Overseas Employer
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Overseas Domestic Worker visa
- Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
- UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Representative of an Overseas Business visa
Temporary Work Visas
- Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)
- Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Religious Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- International Agreement visa (Temporary Work)
Visa to Start a Business
- Innovator Founder visa
Other Work Visas and Permits
- International Sportsperson visa
- Minister of Religion visa (T2)
- Scale-up Worker visa
- Frontier Worker Permit
- Health and Care Worker visa
- Skilled Worker visa
How to Apply for a United Kingdom Work Visa for Indians?
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a United Kingdom work visa from India.
Step 1: Choose the Right Visa
Determine which visa suits your situation based on your skills and qualifications, whether you have a job offer and sponsorship, if you want to bring family members, and the nature of your work (e.g., sporting, charitable, or religious). For business purposes, consider the Innovator Founder visa.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application
Apply and pay for most visas online. If you have dependants accompanying you, each person must submit their application and payment separately.
Step 3: Prove Your Identity
You'll need to verify your identity and provide the necessary documents to demonstrate your eligibility. Depending on your location and passport type, this may involve:
- Attending an appointment at a UK visa application centre, or
- Using the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' smartphone app.
- You will be informed whether to schedule an appointment or use the app during your application process.
- Visa application centres, managed by external companies, will provide a link for booking an appointment to submit your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph).
- You may need to travel to your nearest visa application centre and bring your documents for scanning, which may involve a fee.
- Alternatively, you can download the UK Immigration ID Check app on your smartphone. The app will verify your documents for you.
Step 4: Receive a Decision
- After processing, you will receive a letter or email from the Home Office with the decision on your application and instructions on the next steps.
- If you haven't received the notification, be sure to check your spam or junk email folders.
Also Read: Why is London so Famous?
How to Track the Status of United Kingdom Work Visa for Indians?
Here are the steps to check your UK work visa status:
For Applications Using the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' App:
- Go to UK Immigration Status Check.
- Click the 'Start Now' button.
- Answer the questions related to your application by providing:
- Information from the identity document used to access your account with UKVI (such as your passport, national identity card, or biometric residence card).
- Your birth date.
- You must be able to access the mobile number or email associated with your UKVI login, as you will receive a sign-in code.
Once logged in, you can view your visa status.
For Applications Made Through a Visa Application Centre (VFS):
- Visit the official VFS Global website and select the 'Track Your Application' option.
- Enter the required information, including your visa application number, last name, and captcha code.
- Click 'Submit' to check your UK work visa status.
You May Also Like to Read: UK travel itinerary
UK Work Visa for Indians: FAQs
-
Q: What can I do if my United Kingdom work visa application is rejected?
Ans: You will receive an email or a letter explaining the reasons for the visa refusal. The letter would also mention if you have the right to request an administrative review or an immigration decision appeal. -
Q: What formalities do I have to complete to get my residence permit after getting the UK work visa?
Ans: Once you reach the United Kingdom, you must collect a BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) before your vignette sticker expires or within 10 days after arrival, whichever is later. This requirement is for those who wish to stay in the UK for more than 6 months. -
Q: What is the United Kingdom work visa processing time in India?
Ans: The average United Kingdom work visa processing time is 3 weeks. -
Q: How early can I apply for a United Kingdom work visa from India?
Ans: You can apply for a United Kingdom work visa 3 months before the start of your employment. -
Q: What are the United Kingdom work visa photo requirements?
Ans: According to the United Kingdom work visa photo requirements, the photo dimensions should be 45 mm x 35 mm. The photo should be high-quality and it should only show a close-up view of your head.
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