How to get a business visa in the UK

Applying for a business visa through a company in the UK is one of the most effective ways to legally reside and work in the United Kingdom. Since the country’s withdrawal from the European Union, European citizens must also meet a series of requirements to enter the British labor market.

Below, we review the essential steps, conditions, and documents required to do so legally and effectively.

Obtain your business visa through a company in the UK

What type of visa do you need?

The most common immigration document for those who want to work through a British company is the Skilled Worker Visa. This permit allows foreigners to work in certain specialized jobs, provided they have a valid offer from an authorized entity.

This type of permit replaces the old general sponsorship system and is part of the points-based system implemented by the British government to regulate labor immigration.

General requirements for obtaining a business visa in the UK

To qualify for this residence permit, you must meet a series of conditions, each adding up to a minimum score of 70 points. The main requirements include:

Having a formal job offer from an entity recognized by the United Kingdom Home Office.
Proof of English language skills, with at least an intermediate level (B1).
The position must be included on the official list of skilled occupations.
Receiving a salary that meets the established minimum threshold, which may vary depending on the position or sector.

Additional points may be obtained if the job is on a list of occupations with a shortage of professionals or if the applicant is under 26 years of age.

Application process for a work visa in the UK

The procedure for applying for this permit is done online, through the official British government portal. The application can be submitted up to three months before the expected start date of the employment contract.

In addition to the digital form, you will need to attend an in-person appointment to register your biometric data at an authorized center. Once all the documentation has been submitted, the turnaround time typically ranges from three to eight weeks, depending on whether the application is submitted from abroad or within the country.

Additional costs and fees

The amount to be paid for this procedure varies depending on the duration of the permit and the location from which it is applied for. Prices range from £610 to £1,220, although there are reductions if the job is in a sector with high labor demand.

To this cost, you must also pay the mandatory health fee and demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover the first few months of your stay in the country.

Permit duration and visa renewal

This document is valid for a maximum of five years. During this period, you can apply for a renewal if you continue working in the same position or change to another position within the same sector. If you change companies or job categories, you will need to process a new application.

It is recommended that you start the renewal process at least eight weeks before the expiration date to avoid interruptions in your legal residency.

Possibility of permanent residency in the UK

One of the great advantages of this permit is that it opens the door to permanent residency. After having legally resided in the country for five consecutive years, and provided certain criteria are met, it is possible to apply for settled status.

To qualify for this status, the applicant must not have been out of the country for more than 180 days in a single year, must remain employed, pass an exam on life in the United Kingdom, and demonstrate an adequate level of English.

What types of jobs qualify for a business visa in the UK?

Not all jobs are eligible for this permit. Only positions included in the official list of skilled occupations are accepted. This list can be accessed using a specific four-digit code that classifies each type of job and can be found on the official British government website.

Sectors such as healthcare, engineering, technology, education, and construction are generally in higher demand and, therefore, more likely to be accepted into this program. Furthermore, in these cases, fee reductions and more flexible salary requirements are also available.

Conclusion

Obtaining authorization to live and work legally in the United Kingdom through a company is an accessible process if the established requirements are met. Having a valid offer, gathering the necessary documents, and following the established deadlines are essential steps to obtaining approval.

This system offers not only the opportunity to reside temporarily in the country, but also to build a solid professional career with real possibilities of settling permanently in the future.