UK Work Visa for Indian Citizens - Types, Cost & Documents Required

Indians make up the largest section of individuals obtaining UK skilled visas. If you are a skilled professional and want to boost your career growth to ensure high wages and an enhanced quality of life, then the United Kingdom is the right place for you.

Read the next sections to learn more about the intricate details regarding the UK work visa for Indians.

The United Kingdom offers the following types of work visas for Indians.

• Tier 1 (General) Visa: Applicants who are current visa holders and have a UK permanent residence permit, meaning they have the permission to stay in the UK, can apply for this variant. Here, they can switch their existing visa to a Tier 1 (General) visa.
• Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa: Under this category, applicants must be endorsed as a globally recognised leader or emerging leader in the field of science, humanities, engineering, digital technology, medicine, and arts. Applicants who come from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland can also apply for this type of visa. Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa and Tier 1 Investor Visa are also available for individuals who wish to start a business or invest in the UK. Entrepreneurs, highly skilled workers, investors, and graduate students living outside the EEA and European Union (EU) don’t need a job offer for their Tier 1 visa application.
• Tier 2 (General) or Skilled Worker Visa: Individuals who have gained a skilled job in the United Kingdom or are outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland can apply for Tier 2 (General) visa. To apply for this UK work visa, applicants must obtain a sponsorship certificate from a licensed UK employer. Further, applicants must establish a link between the work they do in the UK to the work of their sponsor organisation. Professional sportspeople, skilled workers, and clergy members outside the EEA can opt for a visa within Tier 2 to bridge the gap in the country’s labour force. If individuals wish to switch fields, they will have to reapply under the right occupation category or conduct the necessary transfer of permit paperwork, as stated by the immigration authority.
• Tier 5 Visa: Individuals who wish to receive short term training or experience within the country can apply for this variant. The applicant’s age must range between 18 and 35. Tier 5 has six sub-tiers for temporary workers involved in sporting and creative positions, religious workers, charity, and young people working in the United Kingdom on holidays.
• Representative of Overseas Business Visa: Individuals who are the sole representative of an overseas company that is planning to establish a UK branch or a wholly-owned subsidiary for an overseas parent company can apply. In addition, employees of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation posted on a long-term assignment to the UK can apply for this type of UK work visa. Individuals who are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland and belonging to any of the two conditions mentioned are eligible for this UK work visa variant.
• Domestic Worker in a Private Household Visa: This kind of visa is available for individuals who are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland and are domestic workers in a private household. The conditions further include submitting proof of employment for at least 1 year with the present employer, and the employer has legal permission to stay in the UK throughout the applicant’s employment contract.

The United Kingdom moved out of the European Union (EU) on 31st January 2020. After this, the UK introduced a new points-based immigration system that treats both EU and non-EU citizens equally.

Individuals (except Irish citizens) must pass a point-based system and fulfil certain requirements for which they will score points. Individuals with the highest score or points will get a visa.

Under this system, points are awarded based on the following parameters,

• Qualifications
• Sponsorship
• English language skills
• Self-provided funds
• Future expected earnings

Individuals will need a work permit in the UK relating to the type of work that they are doing.

Note: The majority of UK work visas demand sponsorships from UK-based employers. Hence, applicants must have secured a job with sponsorship from a licensed employer in the UK before applying for the work visa.

As individuals are aware of the UK work visa requirements for Indian citizens, let’s move on to the section focusing on the application procedure.

Searching for the application process for a UK work permit for Indians ? Read along!

As the Skilled Worker Visa programme is for those who have a job offer in hand, the application process will focus on this variant only. Follow the steps mentioned below.

Step 1 – At first, apply for a job. The UK publishes a list of jobs UK Shortage Occupation List (SOL). The applicant’s occupation must be there on the list. Remember, individuals cannot apply for a work permit directly; their employer will complete the process on their behalf.

Step 2 – Prove English proficiency. Though IELTS is not required in the UK, individuals have to prove their English proficiency through other documents.

Step 3 – At this stage, applicants must prepare the application package within 90 days of their starting their work in the United Kingdom and submit documents.

To apply for a UK work visa, applicants need to have the documents mentioned below.

• Certificate of Sponsorship/ job offer letter from a licensed UK company
• Current employment details
• Current salary slip and bank statements for the last year
• Commendations/ certificates for outstanding achievements
• Academic/ professional certificates
• Proof of funds for the principal applicant and his dependents (if any)
• A valid passport with travel history/ immigration visa stamps etc
• Birth and marriage certificates
• NOC on criminal records after police verification
• English Language Proficiency Test scores and clearance Certificates from a recognised Test Authority
• National Insurance number, travel and health insurance details
• Other supporting documents

The visa application processing can take 3 weeks if an applicant is outside the United Kingdom.

As stated earlier, in the case of a skilled work visa, employees need to apply 3 months prior to start working for their employers; they must apply earlier.

The below-mentioned reasons can result in UK work visa refusal.

• Incomplete documentation
• Applying for the wrong visa type
• Not fulfilling financial requirements
• Violating visa rules on previous UK visit
• Having criminal record
• Not qualifying the point-based system.

With the knowledge of the eligibility parameters of the new points-based immigration system, obtaining a UK work visa for Indians will be easier.