Work in the UK:
This section describes most of the categories available to migrants who want to work in the UK. Each category has different requirements, so you should read the eligibility requirements for your chosen category in full before you apply.
If you are a UK employer and you want to employ migrant workers, go to the Employers and education providers section.
Introduced in 2008, our points-based system for immigration has replaced most of our previous work-based categories.
If you are coming to the UK for a short time as a businessperson, sportsperson, entertainer or special visitor.
For highly skilled workers, investors, entrepreneurs and recent graduates from UK universities:
You do not need a job offer when you apply to enter or stay in the UK in these categories, but you will need to pass a points-based assessment.
This section describes the routes available to highly skilled workers, investors and entrepreneurs who want to work in the UK. You should read the eligibility requirements for your category in full before making an application.
Our service standards set out how quickly we aim to decide applications. For applications made in the UK under an employment route, the standard is that we will decide 75 per cent of applications within four weeks
For skilled workers:
If you have been offered askilled job in the UK and your prospective employer is willing to sponsor you, you can apply to come or stay here to do that job.
If you are a national of a country outside the EEA you will need to apply under the points-based system. You must:
- Have a job offer from a licensed sponsor and a valid certificate of sponsorship; and
- pass the points-based assessment.
Before you apply, you should read the eligibility requirements for your category in full.
For temporary workers:
If an employer in the UK is willing to sponsor you, or if you are a national of a country that participates in the youth mobility scheme, you may be eligible for temporary entry permitting various types of work here.
You must have a job offer from a licensed sponsor, a valid certificate of sponsorship and pass the points-based assessment to be eligible to apply. You should read the eligibility requirements for your category in full before applying.
Other categories:
You can also apply to work in the UK as a domestic worker; as the sole representative of an overseas firm; or as arepresentative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation.
This section contains information about other work-based categories available to people wanting to come to the UK to work.
We are currently reviewing our immigration system. The categories below are still under review - they will remain open at present but may change in the future. Details of any changes will be published on this website.