When free movement within the European Union ended on 31 December 2020, the UK Government introduced a revised points-based immigration system.
The new points-based system in some ways was transformational, as for the first time since the 1970s, EU nationals entering the UK for work and other purposes are now treated in exactly the same way as nationals from the rest of the world from an immigration perspective. Here we provide an overview of the main visa routes to allow individuals to live and work in the UK.
The points-based system includes several immigration routes allowing work in the UK. It caters for the most highly-skilled workers, skilled workers with a job offer, students, graduates, global leaders in their field, and innovators.
Which visa route?
The table below is designed to help you assess what visa route might be best for you in order to move to the UK to set up or work for a UK company. In all cases, you will still need to carefully assess whether the relevant criteria are met, but this should help you decide which route(s) to focus on.
| Immigration route | WHo for? |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Skilled workers with a job offer from a licensed sponsor |
| Global Business Mobility | Encompasses several visa routes allowing international employees of an overseas business to work in the UK temporarily |
| Graduate | International students from UK universities who wish to remain in the UK after graduation to work or look for work |
| High Potential Individual (HPI) | A self-sponsored visa for recent graduates from eligible overseas universities |
| Global Talent | Global leaders and ‘leaders of tomorrow’ in science, humanities, engineering, the arts and digital technology |
| Innovator Founder | Entrepreneurs who intend to set up an innovative, viable and scalable business |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | Individuals aged between 18 and 30 who wish to work and travel in the UK for up to two years |
| UK Ancestry | Allows Commonwealth (and other limited citizens) with a British-born grandparent to live and work in the UK |
| International Sportsperson | Internationally recognised sports people |
| Creative Worker | Artists, musicians, and entertainers |