Popular Destinations
Now covers COVID-19
* Price shown is for a 30 day trip to UK with 50,000 dollar coverage for an adult of age 25 years
Known for its influential role in global affairs and its contributions to literature, science, and the arts, the UK remains a cultural and political powerhouse. Indians seeking work opportunities in the UK can benefit from a diverse job market and a range of professional fields. This guide will explain various United Kingdom work visa requirements, including the visa types, required documents, visa fees, and more.
The UK's strong economy and global business connections offer opportunities in finance, IT, healthcare, and engineering. The country's points-based immigration system facilitates skilled workers from India to contribute to its dynamic workforce. Before we learn more about this, here are some key facts about the United Kingdom.
Key Fact | Details |
Capital | London |
Currency | British Pound Sterling (GBP 1 = INR 108.70) |
Language | English |
Time Zone | GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) / BST (British Summer Time) |
Popular Tourist Destinations | London, Edinburgh, Bath, Stonehenge, the Lake District |
Visa Processing Time | 3 weeks |
You must attach relevant documents along with your United Kingdom work visa application to prove your intentions, financial capability, and more. The requirements are different for each visa type. Here's a table summarising various requirements.
Note: This is a generic list of documents. Additional documents may be required for each specific visa type. Please refer to the individual visa pages for reference.
Document | Description |
Certificate of sponsorship reference number | Obtain this number from your employer. |
Proof of English language proficiency | Provide evidence of your knowledge of English. |
Valid passport or identity document | Submit a passport or another document that verifies your identity and nationality. |
Photo requirements | Two identical photographs that are: #1. 45 mm high and 35 mm wide. #2. They should not be a cropped version of a larger photo. #3. The size of your image from the crown to your chin should be 29 mm wide and 34 mm high. #4. The photo should be clear and must contain only your head. #5. It should not contain other people, objects, or even shadows. |
Job title and annual salary | Include information about your job title and your annual salary. |
Occupation code | Provide the specific code associated with your job. |
Employer details | Provide the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number, as indicated on your certificate of sponsorship. |
Evidence of personal savings | Show proof of sufficient funds to support yourself in the UK, such as bank statements, unless your certificate of sponsorship confirms employer support. |
Proof of relationship | If applicable, provide evidence of your relationship with your partner or children applying with you. |
Tuberculosis test results | Submit test results if you are from a listed country. |
Criminal record certificate | Required if you work in certain jobs such as education, healthcare, therapy, or social services. |
ATAS certificate | Include a valid ATAS certificate if required by your employer for research involving sensitive subjects at PhD level or higher. |
The United Kingdom visa has a huge variety to accommodate different types of applicants. Here is a list of the United Kingdom work visa types. The validity of each visa type may be different.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a United Kingdom work visa from India.
Determine which visa suits your situation based on your skills and qualifications, whether you have a job offer and sponsorship, if you want to bring family members, and the nature of your work (e.g., sporting, charitable, or religious). For business purposes, consider the Innovator Founder visa.
Apply and pay for most visas online. If you have dependants accompanying you, each person must submit their application and payment separately.
You'll need to verify your identity and provide the necessary documents to demonstrate your eligibility. Depending on your location and passport type, this may involve:
You must pay the United Kingdom work visa fees according to the specific type of work visa you have applied for. Here is the detailed list of United Kingdom work visa fees.
Visa Type | Visa Application Fee (INR) |
Skilled Worker (up to 3 years) | 80,119 |
Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker (up to 3 years) | 80,119 |
T2 Minister of Religion | 80,119 |
Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | 1,58,233 |
Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker (more than 3 years) | 1,58,233 |
International Sportsperson (12 months or less) | 33,207 |
International Sportsperson (over 12 months) | 80,119 |
Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List, up to 3 years, after April 4, 2024) | 61,399 |
Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee | 33,207 |
Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier | 33,207 |
Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker | 33,207 |
Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker | 33,207 |
High Potential Individual | 91,597 |
Scale-up | 91,597 |
Temporary Work - Charity Work | 33,207 |
Temporary Work - Creative Worker | 33,207 |
Temporary Work - Government Authorised Exchange | 33,207 |
Temporary Work - Religious Worker | 33,207 |
Temporary Work - Youth Mobility Scheme | 33,207 |
Temporary Worker - Seasonal Work | 33,207 |
Temporary Work - International Agreement | 33,207 |
Offshore Worker | 70,982 |
Overseas Domestic Worker in a Private Household | 70,982 |
Representative of an Overseas Business | 80,119 |
Employee of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency, or Broadcasting Organisation | 80,119 |
Sheep Shearer | 70,982 |
UK Ancestry | 70,982 |
Innovator Founder | 1,32,715 |
Endorsement Fee (Innovator Founder route) | 1,11,432 (excluding VAT) |
Contact Point Meeting with Endorsing Body (Innovator Founder route) | 55,716 (excluding VAT) |
Start-up | 48,473 |
Global Talent (Approval Letter Required) | 21,395 |
Approval Letter (Global Talent) | 58,390 |
Global Talent (Approval Letter Not Required) | 79,785 |
Global Talent (Dependants Only) | 79,785 |
*Visa fee subject to exchange rate fluctuations
Here are the steps to check your UK work visa status:
Once logged in, you can view your visa status.
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. For more details on risk factors, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure carefully before concluding a sale.
Policybazaar Insurance Brokers Private Limited, Registered Office - Plot No.119, Sector - 44, Gurgaon, Haryana - 122001 | CIN: U74999HR2014PTC053454 | Policybazaar is registered as a Composite Broker | Registration No. 742, Valid till 09/06/2024 | License category - Composite Broker | Contact Us | Legal and Admin Policies
* Price shown is for a 30 day trip to UK with 50,000 dollar coverage for an adult of age 25 years