Introduction

The United Kingdom is a popular choice for people seeking international opportunities for work. A plethora of industries in the UK makes it appealing for job seekers. To work in the UK, a valid work permit in the form of a UK work visa is mandatory. In the Eurozone, Brexit has induced some changes that directly impact these visas. This article will provide an outline of the updated 2021 UK work visa process.

Types of UK Work Visas

First, let's take a look at the different types of UK work visas available:

General work visa: A visa for those who have secured job offers that meet specific standards around skill level and annual salary.

Intra-company transfer visa: For workers of multi-national companies who need to be transferred to a branch office in the UK.

Youth mobility visa: For those between the ages of 18-30 years who wish to experience UK culture and work for up to 2 years.

Requirements for UK Work Visas in 2021

The UK Government has laid a set of requirements for an individual to apply for a work visa for 2021:

Proof of a job offer for a recognised employer in the UK for a minimum period of 6 months.

Proof of passing an English language test at CEFR level B1 or higher.

A certain amount of personal savings (at least ￡1590) to cover the cost of living in the UK for the duration of the visa.

Fingerprint biometrics need to be provided as part of the application process. Some applicants may have to travel to another country for this.

Changes to UK Work Visas Post-Brexit

Since Brexit, some significant changes have occurred in relation to UK work visas:

Free movement of labour between the UK and European Union (EU) has ended.

British and EU Citizens will henceforth be treated equally during the visa application process.

EU citizens who were already residing in the UK before July 2021 may apply to continue living and working in the UK through the EU Settlement Scheme.

Benefits and Drawbacks of the UK Work Visa Process

There are some benefits and drawbacks to consider when applying for a UK work visa:

Benefits: The UK has a diverse range of industries that individuals can choose to work in. The salary brackets are also quite competitive. Securing a job in the UK opens up many doors to individuals' immediate career growth.

Drawbacks: The visa application process can be quite expensive and time-consuming. It requires a lot of documents to be submitted that may not even be relevant to the line of work of the individual. Further, since the Brexit transition period, there has been some degree of uncertainty around visa rules and the status of EU citizens.

Conclusion

To summarise, the UK work visa process has undergone some changes since Brexit. It's worth noting that visa applications can be quite expensive and time-consuming. However, securing a job in the competitive UK job market can be beneficial in terms of your career growth.