There is no single “UK work permit”. GOV.UK lists separate work visas, and each has its own page, rules and fee. Most need a job offer from an employer approved by the Home Office. A few do not. This page lists every work visa on GOV.UK and links to a guide on each one.
What is a UK work permit?
“UK work permit” is a phrase many people search for. GOV.UK does not use it for one visa. Its Work in the UK page groups work visas by how you qualify:
- “Popular work visas”
- “Visas you can apply for without a job offer”
- “Work in the UK for your overseas employer”
Each visa has its own rules, application fee and maximum stay.
Some visa pages say the visa replaced an older one. The Skilled Worker page says: “This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa.” The Charity Worker page says it replaced the Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5).
If your application is successful, you get an eVisa. This is a digital record of your identity and immigration status. Read the eVisa guide.
Which work visas are there?
Popular work visas
- Skilled Worker visa: for an eligible job with an approved UK employer. It can last up to 5 years before you extend.
- Health and Care Worker visa: for qualified doctors, nurses, health professionals and adult social care professionals. You work for the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care. You do not pay the healthcare surcharge.
Visas you can apply for without a job offer
- Graduate visa: lets you stay in the UK for at least 18 months after you complete an eligible UK course. You must apply from inside the UK.
- Global Talent visa: for leaders or potential leaders in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology. You must be at least 18.
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa: live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. You must be aged 18 to 30 or 18 to 35, depending on where you are from.
- India Young Professionals Scheme visa: for Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 who are selected in a ballot. It lasts up to 2 years.
- High Potential Individual visa: for people who got a qualification from an eligible university in the last 5 years. It lasts 2 years, or 3 with a doctorate.
Work in the UK for your overseas employer (Global Business Mobility)
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa: for an existing employee doing an eligible job at your employer’s UK branch. You must be paid at least £52,500 per year.
- Graduate Trainee visa: for a job that is part of a graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role. It lasts up to 12 months.
- UK Expansion Worker visa: for a senior manager or specialist employee setting up a UK branch of an overseas business that has not started trading in the UK.
- Service Supplier visa: for a contract to provide services to a UK company. You can be an employee of an overseas company or a self-employed overseas professional.
- Secondment Worker visa: your overseas employer sends you to do an eligible job for a different UK organisation under a high-value contract.
Temporary work visas
- Seasonal Worker visa: horticulture work for up to 6 months, or poultry work from 2 October to 31 December.
- Creative Worker visa: work in the creative industries, for example as an actor, dancer, musician or film crew member.
- Charity Worker visa: unpaid voluntary work for a charity.
- Religious Worker visa: religious work in a non-pastoral role or religious order.
- Government Authorised Exchange visa: a short stay for work experience, training, research or a fellowship through an approved exchange scheme.
- International Agreement visa: work covered by international law or a treaty. For example, work for an overseas government, or as a private servant in a diplomatic household.
Other visas
- Scale-up Worker visa: an eligible job for a fast-growing UK business. The job offer must be for at least 6 months.
- Innovator Founder visa: set up and run an innovative business that an approved endorsing body has endorsed.
Visas without a guide on this site
GOV.UK also lists these visas. This site does not have a guide on them yet:
- Overseas Domestic Worker
- Representative of an Overseas Business
- International Sportsperson
- Minister of Religion
- UK Ancestry
- British National (Overseas)
Visas closed to new applicants
GOV.UK lists these as closed to new applicants:
- Start-up visa
- Investor visa (Tier 1)
- Entrepreneur visa (Tier 1)
- Turkish Worker visa
- Turkish Businessperson visa
Which guide answers my question?
| Question | Guide |
|---|---|
| Which work visas are there, and who are they for? | Types of UK work visa |
| What are the steps to get a work visa? | How to get a UK work visa |
| What do the rules say? | UK work visa requirements |
| How much does it cost? | UK work visa cost |
| How long does a decision take? | UK work visa processing times |
| Is there an age limit? | UK work visa age limit |
| Which English test and level do I need? | English test for a UK work visa |
| Who needs a TB test? | TB test for a UK visa |
| Who needs a criminal record certificate? | Criminal record certificate for a UK visa |
| What replaced the BRP? | UK eVisa |
The Skilled Worker visa guide covers that visa in detail. Employers can read the sponsor guides.
In this section
Questions
Is there a UK work permit?
No. GOV.UK does not have one visa called a UK work permit. It lists separate work visas. Each has its own rules, fee and length of stay.
Which UK work visas are the most popular?
GOV.UK lists the Skilled Worker visa and the Health and Care Worker visa as popular work visas. Both need a job offer from an employer approved by the Home Office.
Can I get a UK work visa without a job offer?
Yes, for some visas. GOV.UK lists Global Talent, Graduate, Youth Mobility Scheme, India Young Professionals Scheme and High Potential Individual as visas you can apply for without a job offer.
How do I check which UK visa I need?
GOV.UK has a Check if you need a UK visa tool. Its work visa pages also say you may be eligible for a different visa if you do not meet the rules for the one you looked at.
Sources
- Work in the UK (GOV.UK)
- Skilled Worker visa (GOV.UK)
- Health and Care Worker visa (GOV.UK)
- Check if you need a UK visa (GOV.UK)
Compiled by SWC Editorial Team from the sources above. An information summary, not immigration advice.