Have dreams of exchanging your existing commuting experience for a leisurely walk through London’s charming mews and a Manchester residence in the city’s energetic Northern Quarter? Getting your feet wet and joining the workforce in England is surely a great dream but it needs to be backed up by some action on your part. Understanding how to go about getting a skilled worker visa and what to expect from the UK labor market is crucial knowledge for this process, which will all be discussed herein.
When planning your arrival, consider that your initial and final perceptions of England will probably begin and end at the airport. For example, if you opt to travel to London Luton to cut costs on transatlantic flights, there is a possibility that you will need a dependable way to get you to your work location or temporary lodging. By making arrangements for Luton Airport Taxi services in advance, you can ensure that your transition from plane to job interview goes smoothly, particularly if you have one scheduled the next day.
The most popular pathway is the Skilled Worker Visa, replacing the Tier 2 (General) Visa. In order to be eligible, one needs to receive a job offer from a sponsor organization recognized by the Home Office. Moreover, such position should pay no less than £26,200 per year or the salary “going rate” for the industry, whatever is bigger. Other categories include Health and Care Worker Visa (for health care professionals), Global Talent Visa (for individuals working in the tech, science and arts sectors) and Graduate Visa (UK graduates).
Not all companies in England are allowed to employ foreign employees. You have to look up the UK government website for a list of licensed sponsors called the “Register of Licensed Sponsors”. Look into industries that have a shortage of workers: nurses, engineers, computer technicians, cybersecurity experts, graphic designers, and classical ballet dancers (yes, it is in the list!).
Once you have accepted the job offer, you will receive your CoS. This will allow you to apply online for the visa, pay the application fees (£719 – £1,500 based on the term length), and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£624 per year). The processing time is 3-8 weeks unless you opt for a faster service. During this time, you will need to find temporary accommodation since most individuals choose to rent a room through SpareRoom or use serviced apartments in commuter towns such as Berkshire and Surrey.
Upon arrival, you will need to plan how to move from the arrival airport to your accommodation or hotel. For instance, if your visa interview or job induction will be conducted in central London, but you choose to arrive in Heathrow Airport because there are direct flights from your country, you may need a Taxi to Heathrow airport from your temporary accommodation when going back to the embassy for your documentation or when doing your visa run.
Although you don’t need to have an NI number at the start of your employment, you should immediately apply for one. Contact the dedicated number issuance hotline at (+44 844 892 0563). They’ll set up an interview via phone and mail your NI number within 15 business days. In terms of banking, conventional banks like Barclays and Lloyds require you to prove your address, something you might not be able to do right away. Instead, opt for online banking services such as Monzo, Starling, or Wise.
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Housing in England is unlike most other places since a guarantor or paying 6 months’ rent before any credit record in the UK would be necessary. You can search for apartments on sites such as Rightmove and Zoopla, which have many listings. Commute time must be considered when deciding where to live because staying in Zone 3, like Walthamstow, as opposed to Zone 1, like Westminster, could save you hundreds of pounds each month.
Transportation costs are also very expensive in other cities than London. For example, the tram system in Manchester is efficient, but towns such as Luton, known for its airport, necessitate having a car or a bus pass.
Join local expat Facebook groups for your target city (e.g., “Americans in Birmingham”). They often share short-term sublets and job leads.
Following passport control, ensure that you collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) (within 10 days at an allocated post office). Once done, do the following:
Find yourself a general practitioner – free via the NHS.
Obtain a UK SIM card (you can try Voxi or Giffgaff for non-contract options).
Get familiar with the local customs – queuing is a religion, sorry comes first instinctively, and tea is always on offer.
Arriving in England for employment purposes can be compared to completing a marathon. However, with sponsorships, proper preparation before arriving, and embracing everything about the orderly and polite nature of the British, it will not take long until you find yourself navigating your way through roundabouts, fish & chips, and your new workplace. Your first step is the Skilled Worker Visa page on the official .gov.uk website.
Following passport control, ensure that you collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) (within 10 days at an allocated post office). Once done, do the following:
Find yourself a general practitioner – free via the NHS.
Obtain a UK SIM card (you can try Voxi or Giffgaff for non-contract options).
Get familiar with the local customs – queuing is a religion, sorry comes first instinctively, and tea is always on offer.
Arriving in England for employment purposes can be compared to completing a marathon. However, with sponsorships, proper preparation before arriving, and embracing everything about the orderly and polite nature of the British, it will not take long until you find yourself navigating your way through roundabouts, fish & chips, and your new workplace. Your first step is the Skilled Worker Visa page on the official .gov.uk website.
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