UK Work Visa from Ireland
If you permanently and legally reside in Ireland but are not an Irish citizen, it will require a specific work permit valid in the UK.
If you have any questions regarding the UK Work Visa as an Irish resident, you can contact our expert immigration lawyers to discuss any concerns you may have, or for some help navigating the application process. You can call us on +353 (0) 61 518 025, or contact us online seven days a week via our live chat.
Page Content:
- Common Travel Area
- Who is eligible for a UK work permit?
- Points-Based Immigration System
- Types of Work Visas available to work in the UK
- Long-term work visas in the UK
- Temporary or short term work visas available in the UK
- Other UK visas to consider
- How to apply for a UK work permit?
- What are the fees associated with a UK work permit?
- ILR rights & restrictions
- Switching & extending work visas
- Immigrant Salary List
- Life after work visa
- How can Total Law help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Do Irish Citizens need a Visa to work in the UK?
The UK is a highly sought-after destination for people to gain employment, including Irish citizens. With an impressive and market-oriented economy, the UK offers jobs from varied industries, great working conditions, and high salaries for Irish citizens.
Irish citizens can move to the UK for a job freely, due to the long withstanding agreement between the UK government and Irish governments, which permits citizens to freely work, live, study and reside without immigration obstruction. It is called the “Common Travel Area.” As such, Irish citizens and British citizens do not need any immigration control that citizens from other countries need to do to obtain employment in the UK.
However, residents in Ireland who are not citizens, such as those who hold long-term residency status, may require a UK work visa if they wish to work in the UK.
Are Irish people eligible to work in the UK?
Eligibility for Irish people to work in the UK depends on nationality. If you are an Irish citizen, you are automatically eligible to work, if you are not, it depends on your nationality whether you need a work visa for employment.
For Irish Citizens:
Irish citizens do not require applications for a work permit to live and work in the UK. They have permanent immigration permission. This is due to free movement, protected by the Common Travel Area for Irish citizens. This includes the citizens of Northern Ireland. The Common Travel Area permits Irish nationals to access services in the UK including:
- Public funds
- Social housing
- Free healthcare
- Employment
For non-Irish nationals living in Ireland:
Under UK law, people who are not British and Irish citizens, including those who live in the European Union, can visit the UK for up to six months without needing a UK visa. From April 2025, they will instead need Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). UK visitors can:
- Travel
- Spend time with family members
- Undertake short-term study
- Attend job interviews
- Events and conferences
Points-Based Immigration System: How Does It Work for Your UK Visa?
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 and salary
- English proficiency (depending on country origin)
Not mandatory elements:
- 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.
Permanent Work Visas
Permanent Work Visas still come with a duration, which is extendable if you continue to meet the terms of your visa. Generally, there are specific requirements, including financial conditions. You may need to:
- Earn above the salary threshold or ‘going rate’ for the job you are doing (for permanent work visas such as the Skilled Worker Visa or Senior or Specialist Work Visa)
- Be able to support yourself or be supported by your sponsor for the duration of your visa or before you begin work. You cannot access public funds
- Be employed by a Home Office employed sponsor
- Be able to show you have the skills to do the job role you’ve been offered
Temporary Work Visas
Temporary work visas allow work in the UK for a short time. You may be able to:
- Do temporary work for a UK company or as a transferee from an international company that can sponsor you for short-term work in the UK
- Do seasonal or short-term assignment work in the UK, proving you will return to Ireland or your country of origin on completion.
Other Visas with work permissions
Other UK visas may provide employment permissions with or without restrictions. The include:
Spouse/Family Visas—Typically, you can work without restrictions on a Spouse or Family Visa in the UK. To get this visa type, you must be married to, in a relationship with, or dependent on a British or Irish citizen. They must be able to support you in the UK. If any of the above relationship statuses are true, but your sponsor is not a British or Irish citizen but is on an eligible UK work visa, you may be able to apply for a UK-dependent visa such as the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa.
Student Visas – If you study in the UK on a Student Visa, you can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and up to 40 hours during holidays and study breaks. Working must not be your main purpose for staying.
UK Work Visas available to work in the UK: Which One is Right for You?
There are a lot of different work visas, for both short and long-term stays.
The right visa will much depend on:
- Your specific set of skills and qualifications
- Whether or not you have a job offer or sponsorship
- The type of work you’ll be doing
- How long do you want to be in the UK
- Whether you want to bring your family members with you to the UK
- Irish citizens do not need visas
Relocating to the UK from Ireland for non-Irish nationals
For non-Irish nationals living in Ireland and wishing to relocate to the UK, there are multiple options for moving to the UK with work, business, or family permissions. You can get any of the following:
- Work Visas such as a Skilled Worker Visa and Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
- Business Visas, including Innovator Founder Visa
- Family Visas for spouses, unmarried partners and child dependents
- Temporary Work Visas, such as Global Business Mobility Visas
Long-Term Work Visas in the UK: What Are Your Options?
Below is the non-exhaustive list of options available to work in the UK.
- Skilled Worker Visa: This visa allows its holders to live or stay in the UK, and work in a qualifying role with an approved employer/sponsor. The visa lasts for up to 5 years before renewal is needed. To be able to get this visa you must have a confirmed job offer. The role must also be in an eligible occupation, and you’ll need to be paid a minimum salary specific to the type of work you’ll be doing.
- Intra-company – Transfer or Graduate Trainee: these visas are reserved for people who are being transferred, therefore allowing you to live, stay in the UK and work at your employer’s UK branch.
- Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility): There’s also an intra-company visa reserved for recent graduate trainees being transferred as part of a programme for managerial or specialist roles. Similar to the Skilled Worker visa, for an Intra-company Transfer visa, one would need to work in a qualifying role and be paid a minimum salary. The time frame allotted for each visa will be dependent on your salary and whether you’re being transferred as a graduate trainee or not.
- Health and Care Worker visa: is a visa reserved for medical professionals to work an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care. You can stay up to 5 years before renewing. You’ll need a valid job offer and there’s a minimum salary that you need to be paid, but this depends on the type of job you’ll be doing.
- Minister of Religion visa (T2): is a visa reserved for workers that work jobs in the faith community, so ministers, members of an order, missionaries, etc that hold a valid job offer. This visa grants you just over 3 months in the UK.
For all these long-term visas, you’ll need to work in an eligible role and obtain a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your Home Office-approved employer. This certificate is an electronic record, and each certificate has a unique number that the worker uses for the visa application.
These three long-term visas permit bringing family members (i.e. a spouse or your children) with you to the UK.
Temporary and Short-Term Work Visa Options in the UK
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.
Additional UK Visa Options Beyond Work Permits
Other visas available include:
- Innovator visa: 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.
How to apply for a UK work permit?
A work visa is required for non-Irish nationals to work in the UK. If you are required to gain working permissions to come to the UK, there is a clear application process:
Step 1 – Ensure you’re eligible
Applying to work in the UK requires several steps. First, you must determine your eligibility for a work visa, showing that you meet the financial requirements for the job you are to do. You will normally need a job offer paying above the salary threshold unless you are applying for a Global Talent Visa, Innovator Founder Visa, or Family Visa, for example. Step 1 is to ensure you have an appropriate job offer.
Once you have determined that your job offer is eligible, your UK employer must issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). You will be given a reference number.
Step 2 – Submit your application
You must submit your application with your CoS reference number and all supporting documents proving you can legally work in the UK and meet all of the requirements for the visa you apply for. You must pay your visa fees.
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.
Step 3 – Submit biometrics
Next, you must arrange to attend a biometric appointment with UKVCAS at an application centre. You may also need to attend an interview if you are invited. Applicants from some countries require mandatory appointments for each.
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.
Step 4 – Decision
Once you have fully applied and submitted your biometrics, UKVI will notify you of your decision.
Generally, for applications from outside the UK, the waiting time for a decision is usually about 3 weeks for work visas.
UK Work Visa Fees: How much does it cost?
The costs associated with applying for the right to work in the UK differ depending on the visa or permit.
Here’s a summary of UK Work Visa Fees:
| Visa Type | Application Fee (Outside UK) | Application Fee (Inside UK) | Healthcare Surcharge (per year) | Funds Required for Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Visa (under 3 years) | £769 | £885 | £1035 | £1,270 |
| More than 3 years | £1,519 | £1,751 | ||
| If Job is on Salary List (up to 3 years) | £590 | £590 | ||
| More than 3 years | £1,160 | £1,160 |
Irish citizens won’t have any fees besides standing moving fees, like a flight, housing, etc.
Visa Processing Times and Fast-Track Options
Processing times for working visas vary, but decisions are normally made within 3 weeks if applying outside the UK or 8 weeks if switching or extending inside the UK. This can occasionally take longer in some circumstances, such as seasonality and a high volume of applications. You can apply for priority processing if you have an urgent need.
- Priority Processing costs £500 and ensures a decision in 5 working days
- Super Priority Processing costs £1000
and ensures a decision within 2 working days
Immigration Salary List
The UK Shortage Occupation List (ISL) was replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL) in 2024. The list sometimes changes and is updated; for example, veterinarians, architects, and engineers were removed. The UK government is working to reduce dependence on immigration; therefore, the list can change to target labour shortages and skills gaps.
Life after a Work Visa
Continuing your stay in the UK with a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship is a key focus for many coming to the UK on a Work Visa. Some visas are eligible to count towards the time you need to spend in the UK to be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). In most cases, you must be on a qualifying work visa for 5 years before ILR applications. In some cases, such as the Global Talent Visa, you can be eligible after 2 or 3 years.
ILR allows you to remain permanently in the UK but with some conditions and restrictions. It has multiple benefits.
ILR Benefits
- You will no longer need to apply for visa permissions to stay in the UK
- You won’t need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge and can access the NHS for free
- You may be able to access public funds
ILR Restrictions
ILR allows you to stay in the UK as long as you:
- Do not commit serious crimes or breach immigration conditions, and maintain the ‘good character’ requirement
- Don’t spend over 6 months outside the UK every year
You can apply for British citizenship, normally 12 months after you were granted ILR.
Switching and Extending Visas
Eligibility to switch visas to work visas depends on the pathway you are on and your eligibility to switch. You can typically switch from a Student Visa to a Graduate Visa or Skilled Worker Visa.
Switching from a Student Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa
To be eligible to switch to a Skilled Worker Visa from a Student Visa, one of the following must be true. You must:
- Have completed the course you were sponsored to study
- Have a job start date that is after your course completion
- Have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months
When you cannot switch to a work visa
You cannot switch to a work visa if you are on a:
- Visitor Visa
- Short-term Student Visa (6-11 months)
- Seasonal Worker Visa
- Domestic Worker Visa
You may also not apply to switch if you are:
- On immigration bail
- Granted permission for leave outside the rules (LOTR), such as on compassionate grounds.
How Total Law Can Assist with Your UK Work Visa Application?
For Irish residents and citizens of other countries, UK work visas are an important way to gain entry into the UK and settle there.
If you require any additional help with obtaining your UK work visa, Total Law can help.
We are expert immigration lawyers dedicated to helping you with your case, whatever it may be. Whether you’re looking to apply for a UK work visa but unsure of which one is right for you, need extra assistance with putting together your application, or anything else, we can help.
Call us today on +353 (0) 61 518 025, or contact us online seven days a week via our live chat.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many categories of visas permit you to bring family members to the UK with you. Family members are defined as your legal spouse, civil partner, and/or children(s) 18 years.
It does not permit you to bring other family members such as parents, or grandparents.
When/if granted a visa, the rules will state if family members can come with you.
Irish citizens may have to apply to bring the family to the UK if their family member is not also an Irish citizen.
If you do not use your Certificate of Sponsorship before the expiry, you will need a new certificate and pay the fee associated. Irish citizens do not need a certificate of sponsorship.
Yes, as Irish citizens benefit from the long withstanding agreement between the UK government and Irish government they hold the right to freely work, live, study and reside without immigration obstruction in either country.
It is regarded as the “Common Travel Area.” Irish citizens who move to the UK have the same rights as British citizens.
