Working in the UK

Immigration & employment law & advice

This section covers the available immigration categories for foreign nationals wanting to work within the UK. Each available category is made up of different criteria. A thorough understanding of the eligibility requirements are recommended prior to the application process.

It also details information regarding other available work-based categories for those wanting to gain entry clearance to the United Kingdom to work.

There is currently a governmental reviewing taking place within the immigration system, the following areas are at present open may be subject to change in the future. Details regarding any changes will be made available on the UK Border Agency website.

Also included is all the relevant legal information required for nationals of countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland wanting to gain employment within the UK.

All EEA and Swiss nationals are able to gain entry and consequently reside within in the UK without requiring application for governmental permission. However some EEA nationals are not automatically equipped with the right to work within the UK even upon successful entry clearance:

• In the instance that you are a national of a country joining the European Union (EU) within 2004, registration may be required upon the commence of employment
• In the instance that a visiting national of Bulgaria or Romania is wishing to seek employment, application for permission must be sought prior to the workers commence date
• Any other EEA and Swiss nationals are able to gain employment within the UK without needing to make application for permission

We also offer information for Bulgarian or Romanian nationals and can advise their employers on the rules and regulations set out regarding permission prior to work within the United Kingdom. The section details eligibility, applications and visiting family members.

Furthermore, we have everything you need to know about the legal rules and regulations regarding the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme. The scheme authorises the immigration and employment of Bulgarian or Romanian nationals within short-term agricultural work in the United Kingdom. Also included is information on the Sectors Based Scheme, authorising the residency and employment of Bulgarian or Romanian nationals within the low-skilled area of the food manufacturing sector.

We also cover areas of registration regarding the process for citizens of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia who wish to gain employment within the United Kingdom through employers for an excess of one month. The citizens are not ordinarily entitled to gain employment within the UK for excess of one month without registration, but through the Worker Registration Scheme this limit can be extended.

Other categories - now closed

The following work-based categories have recently been closed.

• Clinical attachments and dental observer posts
• Film crew on location
• Overseas qualified doctors taking the PLAB test
• Postgraduate doctors and dentists

Share your experiences

Please note: The views expressed in community areas of this site do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of Law on the Web, its owners, its staff or contributors.