To apply for a UK work visa, you need to get a certificate of sponsorship from your employer or sponsor, prepare the documents you need to apply, apply online, and provide your biometric information. You can apply up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK, whether you are outside or inside the UK.
UK visa types and costs for study or work
There are different UK visa types and costs for study or work, depending on your situation, qualifications, and goals.
Below are some of the main visa types and their costs that you can consider:
Student visa:
This visa is for students who are 16 or over and have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor. You can study at degree level or below, and you may be able to work for a limited number of hours per week. You can also apply for a Graduate visa to stay and work in the UK for at least 2 years after completing your course. The cost of a Student visa is £490 if you apply from outside the UK, or £490 if you extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK. You will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge, which is £470 per year for students.
Work visa:
This visa is for skilled workers who have a job offer and sponsorship from a UK employer, or high potential individuals who want to work in the UK without a job offer or sponsorship. There are different categories of work visas, such as Skilled Worker visa, Health and Care Worker visa, Intra-company Transfer visa, etc. You can work in the UK for a specified period of time, and you may be able to bring your family members with you. The cost of a Work visa varies depending on the category, duration, and location of your visa. For example, a Skilled Worker visa for more than 3 years costs £1,220 if you apply from outside the UK, or £1,408 if you apply from inside the UK. You will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge, which is £624 per year for workers.
