Breaking Down the Rules: Switching from a UK Visit Visa to a Work Permit
You cannot typically switch from a UK visit visa to work permit whilst remaining in the UK due to the restrictions of UK immigration law. Visit visas are specifically for temporary stays – tourism, business or family visits. They do not allow for work or a change to long-term visas.
Regardless, as long as you fulfill the eligibility requirements you can always go back to your country and apply for a UK work visa. We’ll talk about the process and alternatives in detail below.
How to Get a Work Visa AFTER Visit Visa
Know the Eligibility Criteria
If you want to have a UK work visa for example, the Skilled Worker Visa, they requirers a few stepsto apply:
An offer to work in a job that is based outside of the UK
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer
One considered to meet the skill and salary thresholds established by the UK government.
Return to Your Home Country
As switching visa is not allowed in the UK, you need to leave UK and apply for work visa from your home country or from a country where you have permanent residence rights.
Apply for a Work Visa
Here are the key UK work visa categories:
Skilled Worker Visa – For employments on the United kingdom’s Shortage Occupation List.
Health and Care Worker Visa — For health professionals.
Global Talent Visa — for people in certain high-demand industries, like technology or research
Fulfill the Requirements of Documentation
Prepare these key documents:
A real job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship.
Demonstration of proficiency in the English language
Proof that you have enough money to cover your living expenses.
Items that you need to bring with you 1. Your old passport or travel document
Go to a Visa Application Appointment
Fill out your visa paperwork and then go for an interview to submit your fingerprints and documents. Since processing times differ, be sure to plan ahead.
FAQS
No, it is illegal for you to work in the UK on a visit visa
- For the most part, no: UK immigration law states that you must have to leave and apply for work visa outside of the UK.
- The Skilled Worker Visa Minimum Salary.
- They have a minimum salary requirement — £26,200 per year (or £10.75 per hour) but lower thresholds for shortage occupations.
Sure, you could job-hunt and be interviewed, but you weren’t permitted to begin working until the right visa was in place.
You have to exit the UK before your visit visa expires. It’s damaging to your chances of getting visa in the future.
Typically this will take around 3-8 weeks to process but varies based on visa type and where you were applying from.
Yes, your employer needs UK Home Office approval and must be on the register of licensed sponsors.
Although many people use the Tier 2 General Work Visa, this is not the only option available and other types of visa exist such as the Health and Care Worker Visa or Start-up Visa if you have other qualifications objected to enter a relevant field of work.
Yes, the majority of of UK work visas permit you to take dependents with you: spouse and children in tow!