UK Work Visas for Algerians

Step 1: Check the Visa Requirements

If you want to apply for a UK work visa from Algeria, it is necessary that you first confirm you meet the eligibility requirements. One of the most important requirements is having a certificate of sponsorship (CoS). This is what proves you have a job offer from a valid sponsor.

Step 2: Prepare Supporting Documents

After getting your CoS, you need to gather your documents. If your documents are in Arabic or French, you’ll need to employ the services of a certified translator.

Step 3: Pay the Visa Fee

You must pay the visa fee when applying for a visa. The exact amount you need to pay depends on the type of work visa you are applying for. Note that the Home Office mandates that all visa application fees from Algeria be paid online.

Step 4: Apply Online

You must submit your application online. On the Home Office website, you’ll find the application form. Complete the form with the correct details. You will also be prompted to add supporting documents in the appropriate sections.

Step 5: Schedule and Attend Your Biometric Data Collection

After applying for the visa online, you need to plan an appointment with the visa application centre in Algeria. The service provider in Algeria is TLScontact, which has centres in Algiers and Oran. You can pick anyone closest to you. Print the appointment confirmation page and take it to the visa application center on the scheduled date. At the centre, your fingerprints and photos will be taken. You may need to drop your passport at the centre.

Step 6: Pick Your Visa

The Home Office will notify you by email if your application is successful. You will also get directions on picking up your visa and passport. You can then make travel plans to the UK.

Age

You must be at least 18 to apply for a UK work visa for Algerians.

Job Offer

You must have a valid job offer from an employer in the UK. The UK employer must have a valid sponsor licence and is willing to sponsor your visa application.

Certificate of Sponsorship

You must prove that you have a certificate of sponsorship. This unique number, which you will attach to your application, informs the Home Office of your job role, salary and duration of employment.

Financial Requirement

You must prove that you have a minimum savings of £1,270. This requirement can be waived if your employer agrees to cater for your living expenses during your first month in the UK.

Proof of Qualification

You also need to prove that you are qualified for the job you will do in the UK.

Health and Care Worker Visa

You are eligible to apply for this visa as a medical practitioner from Algeria. Your sponsor will typically be the NHS, a social care company for adults or an NHS supplier. To apply for this visa, you must be a nurse, doctor, adult care or health professional. You will also need to prove that you have sufficient knowledge of English. The Health and Care Worker visa can be approved for up to 5 years. It is also possible to extend, although most people apply to settle in the UK permanently after 5 years. You can no longer come to the UK with dependents if you apply for a health and care worker visa after March 11, 2024. Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempted from paying the immigration healthcare surcharge.

Skilled Worker Visa

This work visa permits you to work in any other field besides the health sector. You can also work on UK waters. Like other UK work visas, you must have a job offer from an eligible sponsor in the UK. The job you are coming to do must be listed on the eligible job list published by the Home Office. You will also need to prove that you can understand English. The Home Office typically approves this visa for 3 to 5 years, depending on the employer’s wish. It is also possible to extend the visa after 5 years or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You can apply for the visa with your dependents, but you’ll also need to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge.

Global Talent Visa

Citizens of Algeria can apply for the Global Talent visa to work in the UK. To apply, you must prove that you are a leader or promising leader in arts, digital technology, culture, research or academia. Before applying, you must have gotten an endorsement from any approved endorsing bodies. These endorsing bodies include the Royal Society, the Arts Council England, the British Academy, the UK Research and Innovation and the Royal Academy of Engineering. Algerians who have distinguished themselves and won an award for their talent can apply for the visa without endorsement from these bodies. Eligible awards include the Nobel Prize, the Golden Globe Award, the Turing Award, and the Oscar awards. A complete list of eligible awards can be found here. For the global talent visa, you do not need to meet any salary requirement or prove your knowledge of English. You can settle permanently in the UK after 3 to 5 years. It is also possible to move to the UK with your family.

High Potential Individual (HPI)Visa

This visa is for Algerians who have graduated from an eligible school within the past 5 years. Your school must be on the eligible school list published by the Home Office in the year you graduated. With this visa, you can live and work in the UK for 2 years or 3 if you have a doctorate. The HPI is one of the UK visas that cannot be extended once it expires, but you can switch to another type of work visa. You cannot apply for this visa without a UK Graduate visa. The visa permits you to move to the UK with your family, but it is not a route to settling permanently in the UK.

Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

If your employer in Algeria has a branch of their business in the UK, you can move to the UK to work for them on a Senior or Specialist Worker visa. To be eligible, you must prove that you have been an employee of the company in Algeria for at least 1 year and are being paid at least £45,800 yearly. Alternatively, you can prove that you are being paid at least £73,900 yearly without working up to 1 year. Note that this visa is for senior employees like managers and directors. The visa permits you to stay in the UK for up to 5 years. You can also travel to the UK with your partner and children.

Seasonal Worker Visa (Temporary Work)

As an Algerian citizen, you can also move to the UK to do seasonal work for up to 6 months. This visa is only open to Algerians who can tend to orchards and poultry. To get this visa, you must submit your application by November 15. Even though the work is seasonal, you’ll still need a job offer and sponsor. You still need to show you have enough savings (£1,270) to use for your living costs in the UK. You are exempt if your employer agrees to support you for a month.