If you’re not a British national but you’re thinking of coming to the UK to find work then you need to make sure that you’re eligible. Tough measures are in place to make sure UK residents don't lose out on jobs.
Britain is a sought-after option for work for a reason, as you can see from our guide to working in Britain.
Interested? If you have a skill – or you fit one of the UK’s eligibility criteria – then getting a work permit should be much easier...
Migrant worker categories
There are a lot of different types of migrant workers, and just because you don’t fit one of the categories doesn’t mean that you won’t be eligible to apply for work under a different banner.
Not sure if you’re eligible? Read our different guides to migrant workers to see if you fit the criteria…
Tier 1 - highly skilled
This is the tier for ‘high value’ migrants. This includes investors, entrepreneurs, exceptionally talented people and recent graduates from UK universities.
This tier allows you to apply to enter or stay in the UK WITHOUT needing a job offer - you just need to pass a points-based assessment.
Do you qualify as a Tier 1 worker?
Tier 2 - skilled
Tier 2 is open to skilled workers who have been offered jobs in the UK. It includes sportspeople, ministers of religion, skilled workers and people transferring internationally within their company.
Do you qualify as a Tier 2 worker?
Tier 3 - temporary low-skilled
The third tier is for people immigrating to the UK in order to perform temporary low skilled work. It’s designed to fill gaps in the UK workforce when domestic workers fall short.
Do you qualify as a Tier 3 worker?
Tier 4 - students
This tier is for students coming to UK universities for study. It includes a set number of hours that you’re allowed to work for…
Do you qualify as a Tier 4 worker?
Tier 5 - temporary
This is for temporary workers if an employer in the UK is willing to sponsor you. It also includes people who are a national of a country that participates in a youth mobility scheme.
Do you qualify as a Tier 5 worker?
Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
UK employers can hire workers from Bulgaria and Romania to fill positions across a range of different circumstances, improving your chances of getting a Visa if you’re from these countries.
Do you qualify as a Bulgarian or Romanian worker?
UK ancestry, European citizens and other migrants
If you’ve not fit any of these classifications then don’t worry, there are plenty more opportunities to work in the UK.
People with UK ancestry, for example, can apply, as can European citizens. There are also lots of other classifications that you might fit into.
We go into them all in our guide to other migrant classifications
Eligible?
Now find out HOW to get a UK Visa
