Popular UK Work Visa Types for Indians

Posted on: Jan 10, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Popular UK Work Visa Types for Indians

Foreign nationals planning on visiting and staying in the UK for the purpose of work can do so legally by obtaining a UK work visa. It is a very popular choice among Indian citizens seeking new career opportunities with high wages and scopes for exponential growth. Similar to buying travel insurance for UK from India, applying for a UK visa requires a lot of thorough research. Learn about UK work visa requirements for Indian citizens and popular visa categories on this page.

What are the main types of UK work visas?

The UK offers a wide range of work visas that Indian nationals can apply for depending on their requirement. The main types of UK work visas are;

1. Skilled worker visa:

This is a type of work visa for migrant workers looking to work a sponsored job in the UK. Do note that only Home Office-approved UK employers with a valid sponsor licence are allowed to utilise this visa scheme to employ staff from other countries. The skilled worker visa came in place of the previously known "Tier 2 (General) visa" and uses the newly introduced Point-Based System (PBS). Applicants are usually granted this visa type for up to 5 years.

2. Health and care worker visa:

It is another type of sponsored UK work visa that is designed for migrant medical professionals. It allows them to arrive in the United Kingdom to work in an eligible role with the NHS, an NHS supplier or within the sector of adult care. This type of visa can also last up to 5 years for successful applicants, after which they can apply for an extension.

3. High potential individual visa:

The High Potential Individual visa, or the HPI visa, is a type of visa designed for graduates from certain top overseas universities to reside in the UK. Applicants are not required to have a job offer for this visa but there are certain eligibility criteria that they have to fulfil. The HPI visa allows a minimum of 2 years stay in the UK.

4. Global business mobility visa:

The Global Business Mobility visa is a popular UK work visa type that Indians can consider. It can be divided into five sub-categories per job need, such as Senior or Specialist worker visa (the ICT visa was replaced by this visa type), Graduate Trainee visa, Service Supplier visa, the UK Expansion worker visa (which replaced the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa) and Secondment worker visa. These visas are designed for overseas businesses to function in the United Kingdom.

5. Graduate visa:

This is an unsponsored work visa type made for international students holding a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa, who have successfully completed a course in the UK. It lets them stay in the UK for work or to look for a skilled job. This visa type allows a stay of a minimum of 2 years.

6. Global talent visa:

This is also an unsponsored UK work visa designed for individuals deemed leaders or potential leaders in the fields of art and culture, academia or research, or digital technology. This visa type allows exceptionally skilled migrants to come to and stay in the UK for up to 5 years. It replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa back in 2020.

7. Innovator Founder visa:

The Innovator Founder visa is a work visa that allows individuals looking to establish and operate an innovative business in the UK. The business needs to be different from anything in the market and supported by an approved endorsing body. This visa allows a stay in the UK for up to 3 years, given that you show sufficient progress to the endorsing body after 12 and 24-month intervals.

8. Temporary worker visa:

Previously the Tier 5 visa, a UK visa type allowed foreign individuals to get into the country for work for a short period. The allowed stay duration is usually 12 months but can be more in some instances. The main types of Temporary worker visas in the UK are the Charity worker visa, Creative worker visa, International Agreement visa, Seasonal worker visa, Youth Mobility Scheme visa, etc.

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Eligibility criteria for UK work visa for Indians

In order to get a UK work visa, both EU and non-EU citizens, including Indian nationals, will need to pass the point-based system. The UK offers different types of work visas, each with specific eligibility criteria that you need to meet. For instance, to get a Skilled Worker visa for the UK, you will need to have an eligible job offer, a good knowledge of the English language, meet minimum salary and skill threshold, etc. Also, an overall score of 70 points is needed to be eligible for this visa. In the same way, the common requirements for most types of UK work visa types are;

1. Having a valid passport,

2. Having the necessary qualifications, skills and experience in the required field,

3. Having a good command of the English language,

4. Having an eligible job offer or a sponsorship,

5. Having a salary that meets the minimum UK Immigration qualification standards,

6. Submitting all the required documentation and fee payment.

How to apply for a UK work visa from India?

These are the general steps you need to follow to apply for a UK work visa;

1. Choose the visa type that suits your needs,

2. Submit an online application through the official website,

3. Pay the necessary fee (application fee, biometrics fee, healthcare surcharge, etc.), and

4. Upload the required documents.

After this, schedule an appointment at the nearest centre to provide your biometrics. Then, wait for the application to be processed, and you may have to attend a visa interview.

Documents required for a UK work visa for Indians

In terms of documents, the UK work visa requirements for Indian citizens depend on the type of visa they are applying for. For instance, the necessary documents for a UK Skilled Worker Visa are as follows;

1. A valid passport,

2. Valid proof of proficiency in the English language,

3. Your job title and annual salary,

4. Your job’s occupation code,

5. Reference number of the Certificate of Sponsorship provided by your employer,

6. Your employer’s name and sponsor licence number,

7. ATAS certificate,

8. Tuberculosis test results,

9. Criminal records (if applicable),

10. Proof of personal savings, and/or

11. Other required documentation per visa requirement.

So, make sure to check the official website to find the details on the documents needed for a UK work visa according to the work visa type.

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What are the common reasons behind the rejection of a UK work visa?

Some common reasons that may cause a rejection of a UK work visa application are;

1. Insufficient documentation or proof of experience or skills,

2. Expired or invalid passport,

3. Health concerns,

4. Previous visa refusals,

5. Misleading or incorrect information,

6. Criminal convictions.

Conclusion:

This sums up the vital details you need to know about the popular UK work visa types, eligibility criteria and document requirements. Before applying for a work visa for the UK, do thorough research to find a visa type that suits your needs. Similarly, consider looking for and investing in the best travel insurance for the UK from India to protect your trip against a variety of medical and non-medical emergencies.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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