Usually, if foreigners want to work in the UK, you must have a UK work visa or work permit. You also need a valid UK job offer to be eligible for a UK work visa. However, not all work visas require you to have a job offer in advance. Some unique work visa routes allow you to obtain a UK work permit without a job offer. In this article, we will show you how to obtain a work permit for the UK without a job offer.
Visa routes that require job offers
In the UK, there are a large proportion of work visa routes that require applicants to have a job offer before applying for a work visa. For example, if you are applying for a skilled worker visa, a health and care worker visa, a temporary worker visa or a seasonal worker visa, you must show a valid sponsorship certificate or a job offer from the eligible organization.
Visa routes not requiring job offer
In the UK, it is possible for foreigners to obtain a work visa or work permit in the UK without a job offer when you apply for these work visas. Here you can check the list of work visas.
- HPI visa
- Graduate visa
- Global talent visa
- UK ancestry visa
- British National (Overseas) Visa
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa
- India Young Professionals Scheme visa
Of course, applicants must meet the specific requirements for each route. Otherwise, they are not allowed to obtain a work visa.
HPI visa
The High Potential Individual Visa (HPI) aims to attract highly skilled international graduates with bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees to the UK. When they arrive in the UK, they are not required to have a UK job offer. However, they must meet HPI Visa eligibility requirements, such as:
- You must be 18 years of age or older and have a degree from a recognized university in the Home Office’s list of global universities.
- You must apply for this visa after you have graduated within five years.
- You must meet the language requirements and show proof of sufficient funds (at least £1,270).
Graduate visa
The UK Graduate Visa program allows international students who have successfully completed their degree program at a UK institution to stay in the UK to seek employment for up to two or three years. And they need to meet the eligibility requirements for a Graduate Visa:
- They have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree course at a UK institute of higher education.
- When applying for this graduate visa, they still hold a valid Student Visa and remain in the UK.
- Graduate Visa holders can change jobs and work at any skill or salary level. They don’t have a minimum wage.
🔎Read Also: UK Post-Study Work (PSW) Visa Fees & Costs in 2024
Global talent visa
The Global Talent Visa aims to attract highly skilled foreign workers who are talented in academia, research, arts and culture and other fields. There is no minimum wage requirement when applying for this visa. However, you must meet the requirements to obtain the Global Talent Visas:
- You must be 18 or older and have a basic command of the English language.
- You must have received a global award or been endorsed by a recognised endorsement body, such as the British Royal Academy of Engineering, the British Academy, the Royal Society, and Tech Nation.
🔎Read Also: UK Global Talent Visa Success Rate 2024
UK ancestry visa
The UK Ancestry Visa is for British overseas and Commonwealth citizens with UK ancestry. And you must prove that you have a grandparent born in the UK, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands. Besides, you must meet the requirements:
- You are 17 years or older.
- You can support yourself and your dependants without the help of public funds.
- When you apply for this visa, you must be outside the UK.
British National (Overseas) visa
This visa is designed for British nationals (oversea) to apply. If you are from Hong Kong and are a British national (overseas), you and your family members can apply for a BNO visa from overseas. Here you must meet the requirements:
- You are a British national (overseas) and the child of a British national (overseas) was born on or after 1 July 1997.
- Your permanent residence must be in Hong Kong if you are applying from outside the UK.
- When you have this visa, you can work, study and enjoy social benefits in the UK.
Youth mobility scheme visa
The UK Youth Mobility visa scheme is designed for eligible workers aged 18 to 35 to experience life in the UK for up to two years. When you meet the requirements, you can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa:
- You’re 18 to 30 or 18 to 35 (New Zealand and Australia), and it will depend on where you’re from.
- You must have £2,530 in savings.
- You have certain types of British nationality or are from certain countries or territories, such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Iceland, Hong Kong, Japan, and India.
India young professionals scheme visa
An Indian Young Professionals Scheme visa allows Indian citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. However, you must be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot before you can apply for this visa. You must meet the eligibility criteria:
- You must be an Indian citizen between the ages of 18 and 30.
- You must have £2,530 in savings.
- You must be successful in the ballot, then you will receive an invitation to apply for a visa.
How to get work permit for UK without a job offer?
If you wish to apply for one of the above visas, you must complete the online application process. Here you can follow the steps below and get your work permit.
- You must complete the online application form for your work visa type on GOV.UK.
- You must upload all the documents to support your work visa application.
- You must pay the application fee and health care surcharge (normally £624 per year).
- You must then book an appointment at a UKVCAS office or a UK Visa Application Centre (VAC).
- For the scheduled appointment, you need to have your biometric information collected, such as identity, photo and fingerprints.
You must ensure that you have prepared all the necessary documents and meet the eligibility requirements. Otherwise, the application fee will not be refunded if your application has been rejected.
UK work visa cost & fee
When you apply for these work visas in the UK, you must pay for the application fees. Here you can check the list below.
| Visa Type | Application fee | Healthcare surcharge | Personal Funds |
| HPI visa | £715 | £624 per year | £1,270 |
| Graduate visa | £715 | £624 per year | – |
| Global talent visa | £623 | £624 per year | – |
| Uk ancestry visa | £531 | £624 per year | – |
| British National (Overseas) Visa | £180 if you’re applying for 2 years and 6 months£250 if you’re applying for 5 years | £2,587.50 if you’re staying for 2 years and 6 months£5,175 if you’re staying for 5 years | £2,000 |
| Youth Mobility Scheme visa | £259 | £470 per year | at least £2,530 |
| India Young Professionals Scheme visa | £298 | £1,552 per year | £2,530 |
Can a UK work visa be extended?
It depends on which UK work visa you are applying for. Some work visas can be extended to live and work in the UK, such as the Skilled Worker visa and the Youth Mobility Scheme visa. However, there are some visas that you are not allowed to extend, such as the India Young Professionals Scheme visa and High Potential Individual (HPI) visa.
FAQ
Can I obtain a work permit in the UK without IELTS?
Yes. Some people can work in the UK if they have a visa that allows them to work. They don’t need to pass the IELTS. For example, if you are from European Union countries, you don’t need to secure an English test before coming to the UK. However, you need to have basic English language skills to get the most jobs in the UK. And if you want to live permanently in the UK, it is best for you to take an exam like IELTS, which will help you learn more about the language and improve your English proficiency.
How can I get sponsored to work in the UK?
If you want to be sponsored to work in the UK, you must have a qualifying job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence. And the UK business must operate legally and have proper systems in the UK.
Can I obtain an ILR with a UK work visa?
Yes. You can get indefinite leave to remain (ILR) when you have lived in the UK for 5 years, such as Skilled Worker visa holders. Additionally, you must meet other eligibility requirements, such as sponsorship and salary requirements.
Conclusion
All in all, you can apply for a work permit or work visa without a job offer. There are many visas for you to apply to live, study and work in the UK. In addition, you must meet the eligibility requirements to obtain the work visa you need. Don’t forget to leave the UK or extend the work visa when it expires.
Erin Lo