Working in the UK - Visas

There are a number of criteria by which to enter the UK for a non-EU citizen with the objective of employment on an interim basis. Tax professionals wishing to gain or supplement their UK tax experience will have to take into account the varying methods of gaining a visa.

1. Highly skilled workers: Tier 1 (General)

Who can apply for highly skilled worker Tier 1 (General):

• you are already in the UK with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in an immigration category that allows you to switch into Tier 1 (General);
• you are already in the UK under Tier 1 (General) and you want to extend your permission to stay under this category; 
• you are already in the UK under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), you want to extend your stay and you are eligible to switch into Tier 1 (General); or
• you are outside the UK and eligible to apply for permission to enter (known as 'entry clearance') under Tier 1 (General)
• Note: you do not need a job offer if you are applying as a highly skilled worker
• Point Based System: you must score 95 points
• 75 points for your attributes (age, qualifications, previous earnings, and experience in the United Kingdom); and 
• 10 points for English language; and 
• 10 points for available maintenance (funds). 

Documents required in originals not copies. You must send two recent passport photographs and your passport, along with proof of the following:

• qualifications; 
• maternity or adoption-related absence (if relevant); 
• previous earnings; 
• United Kingdom experience; 
• English language; 
• maintenance (funds) - Maintenance of at least £800 for at least three months before applying  from inside United Kingdom or  at least £2,800 for at least three months before applying outside United Kingdom (should be 90 days or more).
• HSMP transitional arrangements (if relevant).

Costs:
Applying from inside United Kingdom

• £400 if you submit a valid HSMP approval letter with your application for initial entry (switching) into Tier 1 General (this is because you have already paid for the approval letter); and 
• £820 for all other applicants (including applications for extension within the highly skilled worker category if you are currently in the United Kingdom under HSMP).
• Applying from outside United Kingdom
• £250 if you submit a valid HSMP approval letter with your application (this is because you have already paid for the approval letter), which is payable in local currency; and 
• £675 for all other applicants, which is payable in local currency.

2. Youth Mobility Scheme

The Working Holiday Maker scheme has been replaced by the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS)The youth mobility scheme is for young people from participating countries who would like to come and experience life in the UK.

The countries in the scheme are:

• Australia
• Canada
• Japan
• New Zealand

Who can apply under the youth mobility scheme?

You can apply if you:

• are a citizen of a country taking part in the scheme or a British overseas citizen, British overseas  territories citizen or a British national (overseas);
• are 18 years old or over when your visa lets you come to the United Kingdom (becomes valid) and under  31 years old when you apply;
• have £1,600 in available maintenance (funds) when you apply

When you are in the United Kingdom under the youth mobility scheme, you:

• must register with the police if this is needed by paragraph 326 of the immigration rules: and
• must not claim state benefits.
• you can do any work you like during your stay without our approval, except you:
• must not be employed as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach) or as a doctor in training; and
• are only allowed to be self employed if:
  • you do not own permanent premises from which you do your business;
  • the total value of your equipment that you use in your business is not worth more than £5,000; and
  • you have no employees.

Costs:

• You must pay £125

3. Sponsored skilled workers (Tier 2 General)

People coming to the United Kingdom with a skilled job offer to fill a gap in the workforce that cannot be filled by a settled worker.

Who can apply as a skilled worker?
Before you apply under the skilled worker category (Tier 2 General), you must have:

• a sponsor; and
• a valid certificate of sponsorship

When you apply you are awarded points based on your:

• qualifications;
• future expected earnings;
• sponsorship;
• English language skills; and
• Available maintenance (funds)

Costs:

• The fee for an initial application
• You must pay £265 if you are applying from outside the United Kingdom.
• The fee for an extension application
• You must pay £465 if you are applying by post from inside the United Kingdom

4) Other visa categories

• UK unmarried partner visa
  It possible for the unmarried partner of a UK citizen to gain entry to the UK on the basis that they are in a relationship with a person who is present and settled in the UK. Settled status in the UK means that you are ordinarily resident in the UK with no immigration restriction on the length of your stay. The unmarried partner visa applies to both heterosexual and same sex relationships provided you can prove that your relationship is permanent and has been in existence for two or more years.
  
  If you and your UK citizen partner have been together for less than four years you will be issued an unmarried partner visa for a period of two years. At the conclusion of the probationary two year period you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR - also known as permanent residence in the UK) provided that you are still living together in a relationship.

• UK Spouse Visa
  Often also referred to as a UK marriage visa, the UK spouse visa enables spouses of UK citizens or persons that are permanent residents in the UK, to apply to enter the UK or to remain in the UK on the basis that they are married to a person who is present and settled in the UK. Being settled in the UK means that you are ordinarily resident in the UK with no immigration restrictions on the length of your stay. If your application for a UK spouse visa is successful you will be eligible to work in the UK as soon as the spouse visa is granted.
  
  A spouse visa for the UK is usually issued for a period of two years. At the end of the initial two year period you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK (also known as permanent residence) provided that you are still married and living with your spouse in the UK.

• UK Fiancé(e) Visa
  The UK fiancé(e) visa allows a person who has settled status in the UK to bring their fiancé to join them in the UK. Settled status in the UK means that you are ordinarily resident in the UK with no immigration restriction on the length of your stay. If you are a UK citizen returning to settle in the UK, you can apply for your fiancé to join you at the same time.
  
  A UK fiancé(e) visa grants you with entry to the UK for six months, during which time you are required to marry your fiancé in the UK.

This information has been amalgamated from that provided by the Home Office.