Visa Requirements for Australian Workers Moving to the UK

Visa Requirements for Australian Workers Moving to the UK

With a steady job market, among other benefits, the UK is a top destination for Australian citizens seeking to broaden their horizons by working abroad. If you have decided that you want to work in the UK, you will need a visa.

Depending on your specific situation and your age, there is a range of UK visas that enable you to work in the UK. Below is a comprehensive overview of the UK visa requirements for Australians looking to work in the country.

Skilled Worker Visa

If you have been offered a skilled job in the UK by an approved employer, you may be eligible for a Tier 2 or General (skilled worker) working visa. Approved employers are also referred to as sponsors.

Your employer has to be registered as a licensed sponsor to be able to provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship once they determine that both you and the work role meet the eligibility requirements. If your future employer does not have the sponsor license for the work route on which they intend to sponsor you, they must apply for and be granted the relevant license.

You will require the Certificate of Sponsorship document for your visa application. Note that it is an electronic record with a reference number and not a physical document. You can check if your future employer is a licensed sponsor in the UK Register of Worker and Temporary Worker licensed sponsors.

The job you have been offered must also be eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa. The UK government provides this tool to help you determine if your job is included on the list of eligible occupations. With a Skilled Worker visa, you may also study, do voluntary work, and travel in and out of the UK.

The validity period of a Skilled Worker visa is usually the duration specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus an additional month. However, it cannot exceed 5 years and 14 days. You may apply to extend the visa by up to 5 years. However, the total validity period cannot exceed six years. You can travel to the UK up to 2 weeks before your employment begins. Below are the eligibility requirements for a UK Skilled Worker visa:

• You must work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office.
• You must have a Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer.
• The Certificate of Sponsorship must include information regarding the role you have been offered in the country.
• You must engage in work that is on the list of eligible occupations.
• You must be paid the minimum salary for the type of work you’ll be doing.
• You must be able to speak, write and read and comprehend English (you will prove sufficient English language proficiency during your application).
  

Skilled Worker Visa Application Process

The UK Skilled Worker application process is completed online. The first step is checking the documents you need to apply. The necessary documents include:

• Your certificate of a sponsorship reference number
• Proof of proficiency in the English language
• A valid passport
• Your job occupation code
• Your job title and salary
• Your sponsor’s name and sponsor license number

With your documentation ready, navigate to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website. From there, you can select the skilled worker visa, fill out the form and pay the relevant fees.

 There are several sets of fees depending on the duration of your stay and your role in the UK. If you are working in the UK for more than 6 months, you will incur an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS grants you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).

You will also need to get a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Visit one of the UK Visa Applications Centers located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Canberra. Your biometric information is an important part of your Skilled Worker visa application process. The Skilled Work visa application processing time is about three weeks.

Other UK Work Visas

There are two viable types of visas under the fifth tier than allow Australians to work in the UK – the Temporary Worker Visa and the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

1. Temporary Worker Visa

Also referred to as a Government Authorized Exchange, it enables you to work in the UK under a sponsor, but the visa is short-term. Once you obtain the Certificate of Sponsorship, you may work in the UK as long as your employment is not permanent.

The validity period of a Temporary Worker visa is the duration indicated on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 28 days. The overall duration cannot exceed two years. To be eligible, you must score at least 40 points under the UK immigration points-based system.

The Certificate of Sponsorship is worth 30 points, and enough financial maintenance is worth 10 points. The visa application processing time is also three weeks, and you can only apply at most three months before you travel to the UK.

2. Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows you to work in the UK as long as you are between the ages of 18 and 30. The visa allows you to work for a maximum period of 2 years with no visa extensions possible. You have to be able to support yourself financially in the UK and score a minimum of 50 points under the immigration point-based system. 

The UK Ancestry Visa (Non-tier)

If you have a British grandparent that was born in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for an Ancestry Visa as an Australian Citizen. The UK Ancestry visa allows you to reside and work in the UK for a period of up to 5 years. Following this period, you may apply for a visa extension or apply for the right to be a permanent resident. After a further 12 months, you may apply for naturalization as a British citizen.

Under the UK Ancestry Visa, they are no restrictions on the type of work you can do in the country. Note that you may also claim ancestry if you or one of your parents were adopted. Below are the eligibility criteria if you want to apply for the UK Ancestry Visa:

• You must be a Commonwealth citizen
• You must apply from outside the UK
• You must provide proof that one of your grandparents was born in the UK.
• You must prove that you are able to and intend to work in the country.
• You must be above the age of 17
• You must have enough funds to support your stay and that of any dependents while in the country.

Applying for the UK Ancestry Visa

You may apply for a UK Ancestry Visa up to 3 months before travelling to the UK from Australia. You can complete your UK Ancestry Visa application via an online form whereby you will be required to submit your supporting documents in Australia.

You must also pay the visa processing fee and submit biometric information at a visa application center in Australia. Visa processing times may vary. For postal applications, you can expect a decision in about eight weeks. In-person applications are usually decided on the same day.