Website of the UK government

Applying for a visa

Your right to work in the UK will depend on where you are from. Unless you are a British citizen or a citizen of one of the European Economic Area (EEA) countries, you may need a visa before you travel here.

If you are, or think you might be, a citizen of an EEA country you should read the 'European workers in the UK' article. This will explain who EEA workers are and what they need to know before working in the UK.

• European workers in the UK

If you have to get a visa, you will need to be cleared by officials at a British Overseas Mission in your national country. Once cleared, the entry clearance certificate, or visa, will be put into your passport or travel document.

• Visa services from the UK government Opens new window

Non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals

If you want to work in the UK and are not from an EEA country or Switzerland, it is likely you will need to apply under the points-based system.

Points-based system

There are five tiers in the points-based system:

• Tier 1 - highly skilled workers
• Tier 2 - skilled workers with a job offer
• Tier 3 - low-skilled workers filling specific temporary labour shortages
• Tier 4 - students
• Tier 5 - youth mobility and temporary workers

Tier 1

Tier 1 of the points-based system was introduced on 30 June 2008. You should apply under this tier if you want to come or extend your stay in the UK and you are a:

• highly skilled worker
• entrepreneur
• investor
• post-study worker

This applies if you are here now under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme which closed when Tier 1 was introduced.

Tier 2

Tiers 2 opened for migrants on 27 November 2008. You should apply under this tier if you are a skilled worker with a job offer. For example, if you are a teacher or a nurse.

To apply under Tier 2 you need to have:

• a Certificate of Sponsorship provided by an organisation who has a UK Border Agency sponsorship licence
• evidence that you meet other criteria to earn you points towards your application

Tier 3

Tier 3, the route for low-skilled workers is currently suspended.

Tier 4

Tier 4 for students was introduced on 31 March 2009. There are two types of student categories in Tier 4 of the points-based system:

• adult student (also known as general student)
• child student

To apply, you must want to study with an approved education provider that has a UK Border Agency Tier 4 sponsorship licence.

Tier 5

Tier 5 opened for migrants on 27 November 2008. You should apply under this tier if you are a youth mobility or temporary worker. For example, if you are a musician coming to play in a concert.

To apply under Tier 5 you need to have:

• a Certificate of Sponsorship provided by an organisation who has a UK Border Agency sponsorship licence
• evidence that you meet other criteria to earn you points towards your application

Further help on the points-based system

If you need more information on the points-based system visit the UK Border Agency website.

• Points-based system Opens new window

Family members

Relatives of non-EU workers in the UK do not have an automatic right to work in the United Kingdom. If you are in this category, you may need to apply for a residence card before having the right to work here under European law.

• Applying for a residence card Opens new window