Following Brexit, EU citizens cannot do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person in the UK unless they hold a valid Work Visa, Settled Status, or Pre Settled Status. However, EU citizens without settled or pre-settled status may still enter the UK without a visa if the activity they plan to do qualifies as a permitted paid engagement or falls under a business visit purpose. In such cases, they only need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK.
Permitted paid engagements include:
- Visiting examiners or assessors – e.g. experts invited by UK higher education, research, or arts organisations to examine students or chair or participate in selection panels.
- Lecturers – giving a one-off lecture or a short series of lectures in their field of expertise, invited by a UK higher education institution or a UK research or arts organisation
- Overseas designated air pilot examiners – invited by a UK CAA-approved training organisation to assess UK-based pilots
- Qualified lawyers – invited to provide advocacy in a court or tribunal, or to act in arbitration or other dispute resolution for legal proceedings in the UK, and
- Professional artists, entertainers, or sportspersons – invited by UK arts or sports organisations, broadcasters, or agents to undertake paid activity directly related to their profession
Candidates must have a formal, pre-arranged invitation from a UK-based organisation, complete their engagement within the first month, receive payment only for the specific engagement and continue to live and work mainly outside the UK.
Permitted business trip purposes include:
- Attending interviews, meetings, conferences, and/or seminars
- Negotiating and signing contracts or deals
- Taking part in trade fairs to promote your business (selling directly is not allowed)
- Receiving work-related training if it is not available in your home country
- Giving a one-off or short series of talks, as long as they are not for profit or part of a commercial event (payment allowed only under permitted paid engagement rules)
- Carrying out site visits and inspections
- Overseeing the delivery of goods or services from a UK company to your overseas employer
- Delivering training or sharing knowledge with UK employees on internal projects, and
- Installing, dismantling, repairing, servicing, or advising on equipment, software, or hardware if your overseas company has a contract with a UK organisation
If your reason for coming to the UK as an EU national is not in the list of permitted PPE and business trip activities outlined above, you may need to apply for a long-term or short-term work visa to work in the UK.
Long-term work visas for EU nationals
As an EU citizen, if you plan to work in the UK for more than two years, a long-term work visa may be needed. UK long-term work visas typically require sponsorship from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. In some cases, it is possible to settle in the UK permanently after living in the UK continuously on a valid work permit (e.g. after 5 years with a Skilled Worker visa).
The main UK long-term work visas include:
- Skilled Worker visa
- Senior and Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility route)
- High Potential Individual visa
- Global Talent visa
Skilled Worker visa
The Skilled Worker visa allows eligible foreign nationals, including EU nationals, to come to the UK to work in a skilled role for a sponsoring UK-based employer. The Skilled Worker visa is particularly suited to EU nationals in eligible skilled professions, including healthcare, education, and technical roles. Examples of eligible occupations include Chief Executives and Senior Officials (SOC Code 1111) and Production Managers and Directors in Manufacturing (SOC Code 1121). Skilled worker visa holders can stay for up to 5 years, with the possibility of extension and settlement. In order to qualify, applicants must have a confirmed job offer from a licensed UK employer and meet the specified salary and English language requirements.
Senior and Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility route)
The Senior and Specialist Worker visa is for managers and specialists working in an eligible role in a UK branch of their overseas employer. The maximum length of stay on this route is 5 years in any 6-year period if paid less than £73,900 a year or 9 years in any 10-year period if paid £73,900 a year or more.
Applicants must work for an existing employee of an organisation that’s been approved by the Home Office as a sponsor and hold a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from that employer. In addition, they must do a job that is on the list of eligible occupations and receive a salary of at least £52,500 per year. It is not possible to settle permanently in the UK on a Global Business Mobility route visa, however. If you wish to do so, consider switching to a settlement qualifying visa such as a Skilled Worker visa.
High-Potential Individual visa
The High Potential Individual visa is aimed at recent graduates, including EU nationals with a degree from a recognised high-ranking university. Candidates can live, work, look for work, or be self-employed and remain for up to 2 years (3 years for doctoral graduates).
Applicants must have graduated from one of the top global universities, meet the English language requirements, and have sufficient savings to support themselves while in the UK.
One of the key benefits of this route is that applicants do not need to be sponsored to work in the UK. This visa does not lead directly to settlement, but holders may switch to other long-term visas later.
Global Talent visa
The Global Talent visa is suitable for EU nationals who are leaders or potential leaders in the areas of academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology. The scheme is also open to those with eligible prestigious prizes. Holders can normally stay in the UK for up to 5 years and then extend their stay or apply to remain permanently. In some cases, it is possible to gain permanent settlement after just 3 years on this route.
Applicants must have endorsement from a recognised UK body in their field (unless they have a prestigious prize); however, sponsorship is not required.
Global Talent visa holders can settle permanently in 3 or 5 years, depending on endorsement and achievements.
Short-term work visas for EU nationals
Short-term work visas are suitable for EU citizens who plan to work in the UK temporarily, typically for less than two years, or for specific, time-limited projects. They are often tied to a specific employer or activity and may not directly lead to settlement. Popular short-term work visas include:
- Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility route)
- Creative Worker visa
- Charity Worker visa
- Religious Worker visa
Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility route)
The Service Supplier visa enables employees of overseas businesses (including EU nationals) to come to the UK for short-term assignments. The scheme is ideal for EU nationals providing services to a UK branch of their overseas employer. A Service Supplier visa holder can stay for up to 6 or 12 months, depending on the trade agreement under which they are providing services. It does not, however, provide a route to permanent settlement in the UK.
Applicants must be employed by an overseas company with a formal arrangement to provide services in the UK. That business must sponsor the candidate through the Global Business Mobility route.
Creative Worker visa
The Creative Worker visa can be used by EU nationals in the creative industries, taking up temporary jobs or assignments in the UK. It is specifically geared towards actors, musicians, dancers, and other creative professionals. Holders can stay for up to 12 months; however, this is extendable in some cases. Applicants must be sponsored by a UK employer and:
- Make a distinctive contribution to the UK workforce, such as being internationally recognised or essential for continuity.
- Receive the minimum salary set by Equity, PACT, or BECTU (except for models, musicians, or circus performers), and
- Have sufficient funds to support yourself in the UK, usually at least £1,270 (unless exempt).
This route does not lead directly to settlement.
Charity Worker visa
The Charity Worker visa is for those coming to the UK, including EU nationals, to do unpaid or voluntary work for a charity. Holders can stay for up to 12 months. To make a successful application, candidates must be 18 or over, sponsored by a registered charity, and have sufficient funds to support themselves.
This route also does not lead directly to settlement.
Religious Worker visa
The Religious Worker visa is for individuals, including those from the EU, who wish to come to the UK to work in an eligible religious role, e.g. as a minister of religion, missionary, or other religious worker. Holders can stay for up to 12 months; however, extensions are possible depending on the role. Applicants must have sponsorship from a recognised religious organisation; however, settlement is not possible under this route.
Reference:
GOV.UK: High potential individual visa: global universities list 2024
