There are different types of visas that you can use when entering the UK, so if you feel like you aren’t getting all the information you need, you can opt to employ the services of relocation experts such as APAC Relocation.

A standard UK work permit usually gets approved within two to three months, but its conditions normally restrict you to do a specific job at a designated location. Employers are required to file the necessary documents on behalf of an employee. Do note however that you will not be allowed to enter or work in the UK until you have an entry clearance. These are issued from between one to two weeks after the release of the work permit. However, if you are from Russia, North Korea, Libya, and The People’s Republic of China, your clearance might take a bit longer. Switching jobs while you are in the UK also requires your new employers to apply for a new work permit.

If you are in the following categories, you will not need a work permit:

• Citizens of the 25 EEA countries.
• Spouses and partners of EEA nationals.
• Permanent Residents
• Spouses of holders of works permits, training permits, sole representatives, investors, students, and ancestry visas
• Asylum seekers with pending applications
• Commonwealth citizens with Ancestry visas which means, one of their grandparents were born in the UK

Once a work permit has been issued, you may apply for a work visa.

Here are the types of work visas that may apply to you: Work Visas

• Tier 2 (General) visa is for skilled workers earning at least 25,000 GBP or 32,000 USD. You would need to be sponsored by a licensed organization to certify your craft skills. This is valid for up to six years
• Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) is for people based and working from the UK, but their employer is based overseas. Typically, this visa is valid from six months up to 9 years
• Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa is for people who work for a faith community and is valid for three years subject to extension
• Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa is for elite athletes or coaches and is valid for up to three years with a maximum extension of another three.
• Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa is for temporary workers (charity volunteer, athletes, artists, and religious workers), on official exchange or as part of an international agreement. It is valid for 1- 2 years.
• Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) is a two-year visa for people aged 18-30. They must be from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea or Taiwan and have 2,000 GBP (2,500 USD) in savings
• A Private Household visa is for private domestic workers who have worked for their employer for at least 12 months, and is valid for a maximum of six months.
• Permitted Paid Engagement visa is a 1-month visa for short-term paid work in the UK- you do not need an employer to sponsor this type of visa.

Business Visas

• Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa – 1,000 of these are issued annually. They are valid for up to five years and may be extended for another 5. If you are an expert in any of these fields: science, humanities, engineering, medicine, digital technology, and the arts, then this visa is for you
• Tier 1 (Investor) visa-For heavy rollers who can invest at least 2 million GBP (2.6 million USD) in the UK. The initial visa allows you to stay for three years with an extension of up to two more years
• A Start-up visa- is appropriate for citizens not from the EEA or Switzerland and is meant to support those who want to put up a business. This visa allows you to stay for two years
• Turkish nationals and Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK may avail of specific, special work visas extended to them

To apply for a UK Visa, you must do so from your home country.

Here are the basic requirements:

• Valid passport or travel ID
• Proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay (bank statements or sponsor confirmation)
• Proof of English language fluency
• Proof of payment of the healthcare surcharge
• TB test if you will stay longer than six months and are a citizen of a listed country.

Requirements for Self-employed Visas

• Valid passport or travel ID.
• Proof of sufficient financial means to support your business venture (bank statements, evidence of investment funds).
• Proof of payment of the healthcare surcharge.
• TB test if you will stay longer than six months and are a citizen of a listed country.

There is no need to worry about life post-Brexit if you are serious about becoming a permanent UK resident. The rules will only change for citizens from the EU, EEA or Switzerland; otherwise, the immigration rules and laws will stay the same.