Do I need a Visa to work in the UK?

Yes, you will need a visa that entitles you to live and work in the UK. You will need to obtain this before leaving your own country and will not be allowed to enter the UK without it.  If you enter the country with a visitor visa you will be unable to work whilst here.  You can work in the UK with various different visas but the most relevant are listed below.

I want to work during my back-packing holiday

Then you can enter with a Working Holiday Visa.  You must be between the ages of 17 and 30 years and this is valid for 2 years but this must be obtained in your own country.   For this Visa you cannot be working to support your trip but to supplement your income.  You are allowed to work part time throughout your whole stay or full time for a period of your visit.  You cannot use this visa to work in your chosen career.  If you wish to stay longer than two years then this is not the visa for you, as it cannot be extended.

I have English family connections

If your parents or grandparents were born in the UK, you may apply for a visa, which entitles you to work in the UK for 4 years. With this visa you do not have any restrictions on what work you can do. You will need to show your English heritage and may be asked to show you have work to come to. You will need to be able to provide for yourself and support yourself financially to enable you to acquire this visa.  You will also have to pay tax and national insurance. After the four-year period, you can apply for an extension of your visa, and may be able to qualify for a British passport in the future.

I have a job in the UK

To obtain a work visa you must prove that you can fill a job vacancy that an employer has difficulty in fulfilling in the UK.  You will need to show you have not only the skills but also relevant experience needed.  Although this has always been the most difficult visa to obtain the shortage of skilled workers in the Uk workforce is making the application procedure and time to process much quicker and easier. These work permits can cover a variety of jobs in the labour market and are proving to be popular with many from New Zealand and Australia who are over the age of 30 or do not have British family connections.

What if I am a UK citizen and want to work abroad?

You will need to apply to the appropriate Commission or Embassy in London.

Australia; www.Australia.org.uk

New Zealand: www.nzembassy.com

How do I apply for a visa?

You will need to contact the British High Commission in your own country.  Some are listed below;

Addresses and contact numbers to contact before leaving home

New Zealand

The British High Commission
44 Hill Street
WELLINGTON

Tel    (64) (4) 924 2888

Fax   (64) (4) 473 4982

Australia

The British High Commission
Level 10, SAP House
Cnr Akuna and Bunda Streets
CANBERRA, ACT 2601

Tel    (61) (2) 1902 941 555

Fax      (61) (2) 6257 5857

USA
The British High Commission
845 Third Avenue
NEW YORK
N4 10022

Tel:      (1) (212) 745 0200

(1)     (212) 745 0277 Public Enquiries

Fax      (1) (212) 745 0359

Canada

The British High Commission

80 Elgin Street

Ottawa

ONTARIO, K1P 5K7

Tel:       (613) 237 2008

Fax:      (613) 232 2533

Zimbabwe
The British High Commission
Corner House
Samora Machel
Avenue/Leopold
Tkawira Street
(PO Box 4490)
HARARE

Tel     (263) (4) 772990

Fax    (263) (4) 774617

South Africa

The British High Commission

255 Hill Street
Arcadia 0002
Pretoria

27) (12) 483 1200