UK Work Visas: Apply from Ireland

Those who need a UK work visa must apply online, through the UK immigration points-based system according to UK immigration law. There are varied eligibility criteria that are associated with the different visas, including work permits/visas.

With the point system, the idea is that it allows UK employers to obtain highly skilled workers for their company/business. Various accomplishments garner points and 70 points are needed to be eligible for a work permit. For example, a job offer from an approved sponsor is 20 points and English proficiency is 10 points.

Within the point-based system, there are some mandatory fields and others are not mandatory. The mandatory are:

• Job offer from an approved sponsor in the UK
• Job at an appropriate level
• English proficiency (depending on country origin)

Not mandatory elements:

• An annual Salary of £23,040 to £25,599 or at least 90% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)
• An annual salary of £25,600 or above or at least the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)
• A job in an industry that has a shortage as designated by the Migration Advisory Committee
• Holding a Ph.D. in a subject relevant to the job
• Holding a Ph.D. in a STEM subject relevant to the job

As such, in most cases, to be eligible to come and work in the UK, you’ll need a confirmed job offer from an approved sponsor, or to be in an existing role and transferred to your company’s UK branch.

Temporary or short term work visas available in the UK include the following:

• Seasonal Worker: a temporary visa for people wanting to come to the UK to do varied farm work, or drive heavy good vehicles to transport food for up to 6 months. To be eligible you’ll need to be 18 or over and hold a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ from a UK sponsor.
• Graduate: a temporary visa granting allowance to work in the UK for up to 2 years after completing a course in the UK, or up to 3 years for Ph.D. or other doctoral qualification. The completed course must be either a bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree, or another eligible course. A graduate visa must be applied for before the student visa expires.
• Creative and Sporting: is a visa reserved for people working in creative industry professionals such as paid actors, dancers, musicians, and elite sportspeople with valid work offer to come and work in the UK for up to 12 months.

Other visas available include:

• Innovator: a work visa that is reserved for people who wish to go to the UK to establish and run their “innovative business.” This business has to be deemed unique and stand out from the market. The visa applicant must be 18 or older and it permits you to stay for 3 years, before the ability to renew.
• UK Ancestry: A work visa reserved for people who can prove they have a grandparent(s) that were born in the UK, be 17 years or older, and intend to work while in the UK.

Holders of this visa may stay in the UK for 5 years on this visa, before the ability to renew. Again, Irish citizens do not need any visa to move to the UK.

After selecting the visa for your specific needs and circumstance, you’ll be able to apply and pay for it online via the UK government website, which also provides further information. The earliest one can apply, typically, is approximately 3 months before the job you have is due to begin.

Each visa has a unique list of required documents and proof of identification that you’ll need to provide.

Some countries will be permitted to go to an appointment at their local visa application centre to confirm their identity with a valid passport, valid identification like a driving licence, whereas other citizens can do it online using the UK Immigration: ID check.

Generally, for applications from outside the UK, the waiting time for a decision is usually about 3 weeks for work visas.

The costs associated with applying for the right to work in the UK differ depending on the visa or permit. For example:

• Skilled Worker: Application is between £610 – £1,408 per person (or less if the occupation is on the job shortage list) with a yearly access healthcare payment of £624 per year £1,270 per person
• Intra Company Transfer: Application is between £610 to £1,408 with a health care payment of £624 per year and proof of saving at a minimum of £1,270 per person.
• Health care worker: Application is between £232 – £464 per person and proof of saving at a minimum of £1,270 per person

Irish citizens won’t have any fees besides standing moving fees, like a flight, housing, etc.