To work in the UK after Brexit you need a visa: What are the Requirements?

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Although US and those with an EU passport can still visit Britain without a formal visa, they no longer have the right to live and work in the UK.

In fact, the requirements for travel to the United Kingdom have changed since Brexit. EU citizens now have to apply for permission to work in the UK.

In 66 below we will give a comprehensive overview and clarification of the different types of visas available to work in the UK as EU citizen.

Travelling to the UK for work

Citizens visiting for certain businesses can stay in the UK without a visa for up to 6 months.

The types of activities allowed include attending meetings and events. However, visa-free business travelers are not allowed:

  • Carry out paid or unpaid work either as a self-employed person or for a UK company,
  • Doing an internship or apprenticeship,
  • Selling goods or services to the public or final consumer.

From 2025, travelers on visa-free business trips will need an electronic travel authorization. The new UK ETA will be a visa waiver required for all visitors enjoying the visa-free travel program.

Eu and US citizens travelling to Great Britain are among those who are part of this program.

They will be able to apply for the UK ETA online. It is thought to be valid for multiple trips to the UK and allow some commercial activities to be carried out.

I was working in the UK before Brexit, can I stay?

Those who were already working in the UK before 31 December 2020 will be able to continue to do so, provided they have applied for resident status.

The deadline for submitting such an application for the EU stable status scheme was 30 June 2021.

Late applications will only be accepted if the worker can demonstrate reasonable grounds for not meeting the deadline.

EU and US citizens without stable status need a visa to work in the UK. This can be achieved by following any of the procedures mentioned below.

Points immigration system for workers

The UK government has implemented a points-based immigration system for visitors from Europe to Britain on business.

This new system treats US and EU or third-country workers in the same way. In other words, their European cousins have lost any precedence over the rest of the world when it comes to visa eligibility.

Under the new system, there are several visas to enter the UK for work, including skilled workers, talent, degree pathways, etc.
Let’s see them in detail.

The Skilled Worker Route for the United Kingdom

EU citizens who wish to travel to the UK for work through the Skilled Worker route must obtain a sufficient number of points.

Points are awarded by meeting specific criteria based on the applicant’s skills, knowledge, and experience.

Foreign nationals need a total of 70 points to apply to work in the UK. Ten or twenty points are awarded for meeting the following (some of which are mandatory):

  • A job offer from an approved sponsor (mandatory),
  • Required level of English (mandatory),
  • A salary of at least 90% of the going rate for the occupation,
  • A PhD relevant to the job applied for.

There are many other criteria, some of which are also mandatory.

Visa for Talented Individuals in Academia and Science

Highly skilled individuals may be eligible to work in the UK through the Global Talent route, which is exempt from the points-based system.

This pathway is designed for experts in the fields of arts, digital technology, engineering, humanities, and science. To be eligible, applicants must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body, such as:

  • The Royal Society for science and medicine,
  • The Royal Academy of Engineering for engineering,
  • The British Academy for humanities.

Graduate Visas for Students Seeking Work in the UK

International students who have graduated from a UK institution may apply for a Graduate Visa to stay and look for work.

Graduates on this visa may remain in the UK for up to 2 years, or 3 years for PhD holders. Once they find employment, they may switch to a different visa type, such as a Skilled Worker Visa.

Other Work Visas in the UK After Brexit

Several other visa types are available to US nationals and other EU citizens who wish to work in the UK post-Brexit, including:

  • Health and Care Worker Visa
  • Intra-company Transfer
  • Creative Route
  • Sportsperson Visas
  • Seasonal Worker Route
  • Youth Mobility Scheme

Anyone interested in working in the United Kingdom should research the relevant visa options carefully and choose the route that best fits their situation.

Note: EU citizens can no longer enter the UK to work without first applying for the appropriate visa or permit.

Is it possible as an Eu and US citizen to start a business in the UK?

EU citizens who wish to start a business in the UK can apply for a Start-up or Innovator visa. Both visas are designed for entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas.

  • Start-up visa: for foreigners who create an innovative company for the first time,
  • Innovator Visa—for foreigners with business experience and investing at least £50,000

To be eligible, the business idea must be new, innovative and feasible.

How to apply for a UK work visa?

US and EU citizens in general, must apply for a work visa through the UK government. Applications can be submitted online, but applicants may need to visit a visa application center to provide additional documentation to support their application.

The documents required and needed naturally depend on the type of work visa applied for. Generally, applicants for a UK work visa need:

  • Valid EU passport or ID card
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Financial evidence of the ability to support oneself financially once in the UK.
  • Plus other work documents specific to the work visa you are applying for.

The UK visa process usually takes about 3 weeks.

If the applicant needs to provide additional documentation or attend an interview, the approval process may take longer and a final decision will take longer.