Nationals of EU (excluding Ireland), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland who started living in the UK by 31 December 2020 may still be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living the UK.
The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021, unless:
- you will join a family member in the UK who started living in the UK by 31 December 2020; or
- there are reasonable grounds for being unable to apply by the deadline.
In all other circumstances, if you are a European national and you want to work in the UK, you will need a visa.
What are some of the visa categories available to European nationals to be able to work in the UK?
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Skilled Worker Visa
This visa category allows you to work in the UK for an approved UK employer. The main requirements are:
- the UK employer must have a valid sponsor licence
- the job must meet the minimum skill requirement – Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) 3 or above (A level and equivalent)
- the job must meet the minimum salary requirement – £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour or the “going rate” for the job, whichever is the highest
- individuals must read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale
Family members such as partners and children can apply to join you in the UK if they are eligible. Skilled Worker Visa category leads to permanent residence in the UK after 5 years of continuous residence.
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Intra Company Transfer (ICT) Visa
This visa category allows you do work at your employer’s UK branch or wholly owned subsidiary. The UK branch or the subsidiary must have a valid sponsor licence.
Your job must still meet the minimum skill and salary requirements. The salary requirement is much higher for the ICT route. You must be paid at least £41,500 per year or the “going rate” for the job, whichever is higher.
You must also have been employed for a minimum of 12 months in the overseas company unless you will be paid £73,900 or more per year in the UK.
Unlike Skilled Worker, there is no English requirement in this route. Like Skilled Worker, your family members can join you in the UK.
The ICT route does not lead to permanent residence, however, if you and your family members decide to live permanently in the UK, switching from ICT to Skilled Worker is possible.
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Frontier Worker Permit
This visa category allows nationals of the above-mentioned countries to work in the UK while living outside the UK.
In order to be eligible, you must:
- have started working in the UK as an employee or self – employed by 31 December 2020 while primarily living outside the UK
- do a type of work in the UK that is genuine and effective, and which involves more than small, one – off tasks, such as an interview or signing a contract.
- usually have worked in the UK at least once every 12 months since you started working in the UK
Family members are not covered by the Frontier Worker and this route does not lead to permanent residence in the UK.
How can we help?
We provide a full-service approach tailored to the specific needs of each client.
We will take the time to understand your individual circumstances and help you gather all the necessary information and documentation for your application, ensuring that your application adheres to all necessary Home Office administrative standards.
To find out more about how we can help, please visit our website or contact one of our experienced immigration lawyers.
