UK Work Visa Rules

UK work visas are available for commonwealth citizens to come and work in the UK. One can apply for a UK work visa only from a country they are a resident of. The original passport of the applicant is mandatory and he/she would need to stay in their home country for the entire duration visa application processing. These applications are dealt by the Home Office / Border and Immigration Agency. In case the company has not applied for the sponsorship license, getting the work visa can take time.

Visa Requirements

UK Tier 1 Visa
This scheme is strictly meant for the entrepreneurs, who want to invest in the UK by setting up or taking over and being actively involved in the running of one or more businesses in the UK. Initially, it is a three year visa only. It can be possibly extended for another 2 years. It is essential for the applicant to have a genuine and credible business idea with outstanding features. They should also be able to meet the maintenance requirements which are £945 saved in the bank account for a consecutive 90 day period if applying from within the UK or £1,890 if you are applying from outside the UK);

UK Tier 2 Visa
It replaced the old UK work permit scheme in November 2008. It is a points based application system and the applicant needs to have a job offer from an employer in UK who is ready to sponsor them. It is mandatory for the employer to obtain the sponsorship license from the UK Border Agency. The number of UK Tier 2 Visas that can be granted are limited as there is an annual cap on them. The cap currently stands at 20,700. Though, those who are earning more than £150,000 per year are excluded. The applicant should meet the UKBA maintenance requirements and also score Score 70 points or more in the Tier 2 points test. Also, the immigrants who are involved in shortage occupation jobs as well as scientists and researchers in PhD-related academic roles, will be exempted from the £35,000 threshold requirement for obtaining permanent residence under this visa scheme.
There are four categories of UK Tier 2 visa applicants:
• Skilled Worker: These belong to a specific skilled job showcases the gap of the UK workers.
• Intra-Company Transfer: These are those people who are being transferred to the UK office of their organization
• Sports Applicants: It is for coaches and professional athletes
• Minister of Religion: Meant for workers within a bona fide religion

UK Tier 5 Visa
It can be issued only to the Australian and New Zealand Citizens aged between 18 – 30 years old. It is granted only for two years and the applicants have the permission to travel and work in the country. The applicant must be single, in case he/she is married then the spouse should also have to fill his/her own independent visa to qualify. It is essential for the applicant to have at least GBP 1,800 during the time of application.

References

http://www.ukstudentlife.com/Work/Rules.htm
http://www.visalogic.net/uk/work-permits/4/124
http://www.visabureau.com/uk/immigration.aspx
http://www.1stcontact.com.au/uk-visas/uk-visas-overview.aspx
http://www.1stcontact.com.au/uk-visas/uk-tier5-visa.aspx
http://www.1stcontact.com.au/uk-visas/uk-work-permit.aspx
http://www.1stcontact.com.au/uk-visas/uk-tier2-visa.aspx
http://www.workpermit.com/uk/tier-2-visa-general.htm
http://www.uel.ac.uk/isa/working-in-the-uk/workingafteryourstudies/#entrepreneurs
http://www.uel.ac.uk/isa/working-in-the-uk/