The United Kingdom has long been an attractive destination for skilled professionals from across the globe, including India. 131,067 Indians moved to the UK from June 2023 to June 2024 on work visas. With the presence of global companies, a large economy, a diverse job market, a UK work visa from India is becoming increasingly more popular.
However, navigating the visa application process to work in the UK can be complex, especially for Indian citizens. This article provides a detailed guide on the types of UK work visa from India available, eligibility criteria, application processes, costs, and the key documents required.
- UK Work Visa from India – Options
- UK Work Visa from India – Visa Tracking
- UK Work Visa from India – Licensed Sponsors
- How much does it cost to move to the UK?
- Latest Related Articles
UK Work Visa from India – Options
For Indian citizens wishing to work in the UK there are several work visas depending on your skills, job offer and education level.
Each UK work visa from India has its own eligibility requirements, application process and costs, which we will explore in detail below.
Health and Care Worker
70,615 Indians and their dependants moved to the UK on the Health and Care Worker visa.
For more detailed information on the Health and Care Worker visa, you can visit our dedicated page.
Eligibility
Before applying for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must meet the below criteria.
- Work for an employer that has been approved by the UK Government
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship related to the role
- Job must be on the Shortage Occupations List
- Salary must meet the minimum threshold for the role
- Speak, read, write and understand English to a minimum standard
Requirements/Documentation
- Certificate of Sponsorship
- Proof of your knowledge of English
- A valid passport for the entirety of the visa
- Occupation and Salary
- Bank statement proving sufficient funds
- Name of employer and license number
Health and Care Worker Visa UK Cost
The application fee alone you will pay £284 for up to 3 years or £551 for more than 3 years.
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK, a bank statement will suffice.
The financial requirement is that you show you have enough money for your living costs for yourself and dependent’s while you move to the UK.
UK Health and Care Worker Visa Processing Time
After submitting an online application, proven your identity and provided the relevant documents, 90% of applicants are processed within 3 weeks.
Skilled Worker
35,682 Indians and their dependants moved to the UK on the Skilled Worker visa.
For more detailed information on the Skilled Worker visa, you can visit our dedicated page.
Eligibility
Before applying for a Skilled Worker visa, you must meet the below criteria.
- Work for an employer that has been approved for a sponsor license
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship related to the role
- Job must be on the Skilled Worker Occupations List
- Salary must meet the minimum threshold for the role
- Speak, read, write and understand English to a minimum standard
Requirements/Documentation
- Certificate of Sponsorship
- Proof of your knowledge of English
- A valid passport for the entirety of the visa
- Occupation and Salary
- Bank statement proving sufficient funds
- Name of employer and license number
Skilled Worker Visa UK Cost
The application fee alone you will pay £827 for up to 3 years or £1,500 for more than 3 years.
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK, a bank statement will suffice.
The financial requirement is that you show you have enough money for your living costs for yourself and dependent’s while you move to the UK.
UK Skilled Worker Visa Processing Time
After submitting an online application, proven your identity and provided the relevant documents, 90% of applicants are processed within 3 weeks.
India Young Professionals Scheme
2,234 Indian nationals arrived in the UK through this route in 2023-2024, the first year of this visa.
For more detailed information on the India Young Professionals Scheme visa , you can visit our dedicated page.
Eligibility
Before applying for a India Young Professionals Scheme visa, you must meet the below criteria.
- Graduates who have achieved a bachelors degree and aged between 18-30 from India
- £2530 minimum of savings
- First time applicant
- Must not have been in the UK through the Youth Mobility Scheme visa
Requirements/Documentation
- A valid passport for the entirety of the visa
- Bank statement proving sufficient funds
- Evidence of your qualifications such as a bachelors degree certificate
- Test results for Tuberculosis (TB)
India Young Professionals Scheme UK Cost
The application fee alone you will pay £298 for up to 2 years.
You must have at least £2,530 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK, a bank statement will suffice.
The financial requirement is that you show you have enough money for your living costs for yourself while you move to the UK.
India Young Professionals Scheme Processing Time
After submitting an online application, proven your identity and provided the relevant documents, 90% of applicants are processed within 3 weeks.
Graduate Visa
67,529 Indian nationals represented the largest group of students on the Graduate route last year.
For more detailed information on the Graduate Visa, you can visit our dedicated page.
Eligibility
Before applying for a Graduate Visa, you must meet the below criteria.
- Currently on a Student Visa UK
- Achieved at least a bachelors degree from an eligible university
- Studied at least 12 months of the course in the UK
- You still live in the UK
Requirements/Documentation
- A valid passport for the entirety of the visa
- Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Graduate Visa UK Cost
The application fee alone you will pay £822 for up to 2 years for bachelor or postgraduate studies, 3 years for a PhD or more.
You do not need to show proof of funds it you have been living in the UK for 12 months or more with permission on the date of application.
UK Health and Care Worker Visa Processing Time
After submitting an online application, proven your identity and provided the relevant documents, 90% of applicants are processed within 8 weeks.
Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)
6,545 Indians and their dependants moved to the UK on the Senior or Specialist Worker visa.
For more detailed information on the Senior or Specialist Worker visa, you can visit our dedicated page.
Eligibility
Before applying for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, you must meet the below criteria.
- Worked for an employer that has been approved for a sponsor license
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship related to the role
- Job must be on the Shortage Occupations List
- Salary must meet the minimum threshold for the role
Requirements/Documentation
- Certificate of Sponsorship
- A valid passport for the entirety of the visa
- Occupation and Salary
- Bank statement proving sufficient funds
- Name of employer and license number
- Evidence you have worked for your employer overseas
Senior or Specialist Worker visa UK Cost
When applying the fee will be £719 or £1636 on the skilled route depending on length of stay.
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK, a bank statement will suffice.
The financial requirement is that you show you have enough money for your living costs for yourself and dependent’s while you move to the UK.
UK Work Visa from India – Visa Tracking
The application process for a UK work visa from India begins when you confirm your identity. This can either be online using the ID Check application or you might have to attend your appointment in person. This is done at a visa application centre where your biometrics will be taken including fingerprints and a photograph. You can apply through the gov.uk website, for example the India Young Professionals Scheme
UK Work Visa from India – Licensed Sponsors
You can use websites such as Hays, Indeed and NHS Recruitment to find jobs being advertised, you can also add “Sponsorship” into the search function to find employers currently sponsoring. Contact companies that interest you by sending them them your CV and asking them if they have any sponsorship opportunities available. Many employers have a “Career” section that allows you to submit your CV without a specific job advertisement, this allows them to check their database for suitable candidates when a suitable role becomes available.
How much does it cost to move to the UK?
The amount of money to save when planning a move to the UK will vary from person to person, having your finances planned correctly is one of the most important aspects of moving to the UK.
The cost required will vary depending on the type of UK work visa from India, your dependants, how much documentation is required and more. Overall for a single applicant who has a job already arranged, we recommend to save at least £5000 if you are intending to stay outside London, within London expect to save at least £7000 to have a decent start.
Check out our Moving to UK Guide for more detailed information.
UK Work Visa from India Fee
Once you have decided the best UK work visa from India for you from the options previous, the first cost will be paying for the visa fee. This includes factoring in any family members who will be coming with you.
UK Immigration Health Surcharge
Depending on the visa type you might have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The healthcare surcharge is an upfront mandatory payment in order to access the National Health Service (NHS). This payment will ensure you are covered in case you become unwell or have an accident in the UK. If you are applying for a 2-year Skilled Worker visa for example, you will have to pay £1,035 each year, therefore you will have to pay a total of £2,070.
The Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempt entirely of this charge.
Possible Additional Costs
- Flights to the UK
- Insurance
- Passport renewal or application
- Short-term accommodation
- Long-term accommodation
- International Shipping
- Pet transport
- Tests such as English Language or Tuberculosis
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