UK Work Visa

Working in the UK: how work visas fit together

The UK runs a points-based immigration system. For most work routes you collect points for things like having a confirmed job offer, the job being at the right skill level, and being able to speak English to the required standard.

The big thing to understand is sponsorship. Most UK work visas need a job offer from an employer who holds a sponsor licence from the Home Office. That employer gives you a 'Certificate of Sponsorship' — an electronic record confirming the role. A few routes, such as Global Talent, do not need a sponsor, but they are the exception. Because the rules, salary levels and fees change regularly, always confirm the current details on GOV.UK.

The main work routes at a glance

Here are the routes people ask about most. Each has its own eligibility rules, so use this as a starting point.

• Skilled Worker — for people with a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor in an eligible occupation. The most common work route
• Health and Care Worker — for qualifying health professionals and adult social care workers with a sponsored job offer
• Global Talent — for leaders or potential leaders in academia, research, arts and culture, or digital technology (no employer sponsor needed)
• Senior or Specialist Worker (Global Business Mobility) — for employees of an overseas business transferred to a linked UK branch
• Scale-up Worker — for a job offer from a fast-growing UK business approved as a scale-up sponsor
• High Potential Individual — for recent graduates of certain top global universities
• Temporary Worker routes — including Seasonal, Creative, Religious, Charity and Government Authorised Exchange

What most work routes require

The exact requirements vary by route, but sponsored work visas tend to share a similar checklist. Knowing these in advance saves time and avoids surprises.

• A genuine job offer from a UK employer holding a valid sponsor licence (for sponsored routes)
• A Certificate of Sponsorship from that employer for the specific role
• A salary that meets the minimum for the route and job — check the current thresholds on GOV.UK
• English language ability at the required level
• Enough money to support yourself when you arrive, unless your sponsor certifies they will cover this
• A valid passport and, for many routes, biometrics and a TB test certificate

How ILUK helps employers and applicants

Immigration Lawyers UK is a network of SRA-regulated immigration solicitors working on fixed fees, UK-wide. Whether you are an individual moving for work or a business hiring from overseas, a solicitor can take the guesswork out of the process.

For applicants, we confirm which route gives you the best chance and help you gather the right evidence. For employers, we advise on getting and keeping a sponsor licence, issuing Certificates of Sponsorship correctly, and staying on the right side of your compliance duties.

What to do next

The quickest way to find out where you stand is to talk it through with someone who knows the rules. Book your free, no-obligation assessment and a member of our network will call you back to explain your options in plain English.

There is no pressure and no cost for that first conversation. If you decide to go ahead, you'll get a clear, fixed-fee quote before any work begins.