Work Visa UK For Workers, Businesspersons & Investors
The UK immigration system offers a different types of work visa options for individuals looking to work in the UK. These work visas are tailored to fit a variety of purposes, ranging from short-term or temporary roles to long-term career opportunities and even entrepreneurial ventures. While some UK work visas are temporary and do not lead to settlement, many long-term visas provide a pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), offering the prospect of permanent residency.
Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
For foreign nationals looking to settle permanently in the UK, certain long-term work visas allow applicants to achieve ILR. Generally, the pathway to ILR requires five years of continuous residence in the UK. However, for individuals on the Global Talent Visa or those in select high-value roles, the residence period required may be reduced to three years.
Switching from Temporary to Long-Term Work Visas
While temporary work visas typically do not lead to ILR directly, individuals on a temporary visa can switch to a long-term work visa within the UK. This allows them to transition from temporary roles to career-oriented positions that ultimately qualify for settlement.
Free Immigration Advice For Work Visa UK
Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide one-off free immigration advice online regarding your application for a work visa. Ask a question online to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice online, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our immigration solicitors regarding your application for a work visa.
Popular work visas
Visas you can apply for without a job offer
- British National (Overseas) visa
- Graduate visa
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa
- India Young Professionals Scheme visa
- Apply for the Global Talent visa
- UK Ancestry visa
- High Potential Individual (HPI) visa
Work in the UK for your overseas employer
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Overseas Domestic Worker visa
- Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
- UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Representative of an Overseas Business visa
- Apply for a Service providers from Switzerland visa
Temporary work visas
- Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)
- Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Religious Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- International Agreement visa (Temporary Work)
Start a business
Other work visas and permits
- International Sportsperson visa
- Minister of Religion visa (T2)
- Scale-up Worker visa
- Frontier Worker permit
- Get an exempt vignette
Work visas that are closed to new applicants
- Entrepreneur visa (Tier 1)
- Investor visa (Tier 1)
- Turkish Businessperson visa
- Turkish Worker visa
- Start-up visa
Right to work checks
- Checking a job applicant’s right to work
- Check a job applicant’s right to work: use their share code
- Check if a document allows someone to work in the UK