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The UK is a multicultural, diverse society with opportunities in a broad range of sectors. Many overseas jobseekers
are attracted to the UK by the strong Pound and the popularity of the English language.
There is a high demand for employees in some sectors, and in areas where there are skills shortages,
applications from international jobseekers are actively encouraged. From the hustle and bustle of London
to the slower paced life of the Scottish Highlands, the UK is a haven for those looking to seek a different way of life.
Making a go of it in a strange country takes hard work, perseverance, and plenty of research. But skills shortages
and the demand for talented employees means jobseekers from overseas with the right abilities and attitude can pursue
their career ambitions within the UK.
You can work in the UK if:
- you are a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA);
- you are a citizen of the Commonwealth aged 17-27 under the Working Holidaymaker scheme, or can claim UK ancestry;
- you are an international student working 20 hours or less;
- you have secured a job and your employer is 'sponsoring' you by getting you a work permit;
- you are granted asylum or exceptional leave to stay in the UK.
Measures are in place to ensure UK nationals don't lose out on jobs to those from overseas. Employers have to prove they
cannot fill vacancies from the pool of local jobseekers. But if you have a skill needed in the UK, you'll be a valuable
asset to an employer and getting a work permit should be much easier.
Where are the jobs?
What about red tape?
Advice for commonwealth citizens.
Where are the jobs?
London
- Financial services - this sector accounts for a third of London's employment, and forecasters expect the
sector to create 400,000 jobs by 2016.
- Public services - teachers, nurses, doctors and administration staff.
- IT, Internet and telecommunications - analysts, software engineers, programmers, testers and database administrators.
- Retail and hospitality - chefs, management, housekeeping, service staff, cashiers, sales, buyers and logistics staff.
- Manufacturing - electricians, fitters, process operators, and production workers.
South west, Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside, Wales and Scotland
- Retail and hospitality - chefs, management, housekeeping, service staff, cashiers, sales, buyers and logistics staff.
- IT, Internet and telecommunications - analysts, software engineers, programmers, testers and database administrators.
- Public services - teachers, nurses, doctors and administration staff.
East, north west, north east and south east
- Retail and hospitality - chefs, management, housekeeping, service staff, cashiers, sales, buyers and logistics staff.
- IT, Internet and telecommunications - analysts, software engineers, programmers, testers, database administrators
and support staff.
- Public services - teachers, nurses, doctors and administration staff.
- Manufacturing - electricians, fitters, process operators and production workers.
Check nationwide property prices, services and council tax costs at upmystreet.com.
What salary can I earn?
Salaries will vary depending on the role, sector and location, and many jobs in London will pay an allowance
to compensate for the high cost of living, called 'London weighting'.
Salaries in England and Wales are highest in London and the south east. However, while Londoners may earn twice
as much as those in the poorer areas, property prices and the cost of living are much higher, so the financial pros
can be offset by the cons.
What about red tape?
Each year, tens of thousands of work permit holders and dependents were admitted into the UK. Work permits and
various other schemes allow overseas jobseekers access to UK employment, and some are designed to encourage
people to move to the UK to work in professions where there are skills shortages.
Visas
Visas (also called 'entry clearance') are required for various nationalities before entering the UK. Check
with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to see what kind of visa you need.
Work permits
There are different schemes for different nationalities and skill sets, but in general, you will need to have
secured a job before you arrive in the UK. It is employers who apply for work permits; not employees or recruitment
agencies. Your employer has to prove you are the right person for the job and you must continue working for that
employer to stay in the UK.
For the full range of visa and permits, applications and leaflets, visit your local British embassy.
A survival kit for new employees
Tax
Most employees will pay tax through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system, which means an amount of money is deducted
from your pay by your employer. But IT contractors and those doing freelance work are classed as self-employed.
For further information, see our guide to taxation.
National Insurance
Every worker between 16 and retirement age must pay National Insurance (NI) contributions that will be deducted
from your pay in the same way as tax.
You'll need to apply for an NI number from your local benefits agency office as soon as you start work.
In the meantime your temporary number will be your date of birth and your gender, ie TN220874F.
Applying for an NI number can be a lengthy process, requiring an interview with identification such as passport,
proof of address, a letter confirming you have work and if available, pay slips. You will be given a card with your
number on it which you'll have for life and which acts as your account number which you should use when dealing
with the Inland Revenue.
For more information about National Insurance, see the HM Revenue and Customs web site.
Bank accounts
Getting a bank account in the UK can be an arduous task if you've just arrived here. Get your own bank to set up
an account with an affiliated bank in the UK, as this is much easier. Banks require proof of address (difficult
if you don't have a utility account or a permanent address), a referral letter from your home bank or UK employer,
and will usually open an account with only the bare basics. You may have to be resident in the country for six
months or more, before you can apply for a credit card or overdraft, depending on the bank.
Your employer can write you a letter of referral, recommending you as a customer to their bank, which usually
covers the proof of address as well, but this does mean you don't have much choice about who you bank with.
Finding somewhere to live
www.loot.com - the Bible of classified advertisements, includes ads for shared housing, flats and furniture.
www.gumtree.com - shared accommodation listings for Antipodeans and South Africans, focusing mainly in London.
www.primelocation.com - advice on using lettings and estate agents, moving home and what to expect when trying to rent or buy a home.
It also has a database of agents and properties.
Advice for Commonwealth citizens
Each year, thousands of young Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders and South Africans enter the UK armed with
only a backpack and a passport. Many come for the chance to earn British pounds, travel in Europe and experience
life in another country. They bring with them a wealth of skills needed in the UK, and shrewd young workers can
pocket healthy pay packets.
What visas and work permits do I need?
There are two options open exclusively to Commonwealth citizens who want to work in the UK, in addition to
the usual routes.
Working Holidaymaker's Visa (WHV)
This scheme allows a Commonwealth citizen to work on a casual or part-time basis for up to two years. It
restricts the amount of full-time work (over 25 hours a week) to half of your stay, and is intended to
safeguard jobs for British and EU citizens by not allowing you to work long-term in your chosen career field.
However, there are exceptions, such as agency nurses, supply teachers, nannies, occupational therapists,
physiotherapists, radiographers, speech and language therapists, and vets, where there is a shortage of UK
nationals working in these areas. Many working holidaymakers take up short-term contract, part-time or
temporary work.
The UK Visas website offers further information for people interested in Working Holiday Visas.
UK ancestry
If one of your grandparents was born in the UK you're in luck - in 2000, 10,900 people were allowed to look for jobs
and work in the country by claiming UK ancestry. Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born the UK can enter
as long as they:
- are aged 17 or over;
- are able to work and plan to do so in the UK;
- can support and accommodate yourself and dependants without public funds;
- get a UK ancestry visa before you travel to the country.
No work permit is required, and the scheme allows candidates to stay and work for up to four years. After
this scheme you can apply for permanent residency if you meet specific criteria.
For more information about immigration and work permits, see the Immigration and Nationality Directorate
web site, or the British Information Service or High Commission in your country.
Where can I find a job?
These sectors are especially popular and many agencies are keen to take on those with WHVs:
Secretarial
Teaching
Health and Nursing
IT and Internet
www.seek.com.au and
www.seek.co.nz are leading job sites based in
Australia and New Zealand with job vacancies in the UK so you can arrange work before you come over, or
just check out the job market.
TNT - free magazine for travellers in the UK
with an emphasis on Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans. It can be found at news stands on street
corners and tube stations every Monday and lists temporary jobs, live-in pub work, domestic work, and secretarial jobs.
Other places you can find a job.
More advice on applying for jobs.
Search for a job with totaljobs.com.
Register for jobs by email.
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