How to Move to UK and Start Working Within a Month
It is often said that moving to the UK is one of the best decisions anyone could ever make. However, the process of immigration could be frustrating, especially if you are new to the system. From getting a visa to seeking employment, there are numerous factors one must take into consideration. In this article, we will be showing you how to relocate to the UK and find work in just 30 days, among other relevant information.
How to Move to the UK
1. Look for a Legitimate Job
It is important to ensure that before planning for a move to the UK one has to secure a job or a job offer. You must either have a job or be able to provide an offer of employment to apply for a work visa which can often take a long time. If you are interested in a sponsored-based visa then you must make sure that your employer is willing to sponsor you for a permit. You should also find out whether your employer has a record of previous sponsorships and whether he or she qualifies for sponsorship.
However, one needs to fully understand the market situation in the United Kingdom to land a job and get employed in the required field. This means that you need to ensure that the qualifications and working experience that you possess are at par with the organizations and standards set in the United Kingdom. You also need to consider the time for visa processing, which usually takes about 3-8 weeks. That way, you will secure a job first before starting your new life in the UK, thereby having a guaranteed source of income to aid you in the transition.
2. Get the Appropriate Visa
If you are planning to immigrate to the United Kingdom it is wise to look for the available immigration avenues. As mentioned earlier, there are several visa types depending on the type and the difficulty of the work as well as the applicant’s qualifications. So, one must be very careful and go through all the necessary options and choose the visa category that will be suitable for the given employment and career type. This will assist you in arriving at the most suitable option for your UK immigration and also, enable you to achieve the most favorable outcome of your application.
3. Start the Application Process
Remember to gather your documents once you have chosen the most appropriate visa category and complete your application. In most cases, you will have to apply through the local representative of the United Kingdom, like the embassy or consulate or an application centre. After submitting the application, wait for a decision that may take several weeks to several months depending on the category of visa.
4. Move to the UK
If your application is successful, you will be notified by the visa office through an e-mail or via a letter stating the decision and the further process. Furthermore, you will have a vignette or a sticker added to the passport, which gives details of your immigration, the type of visa, and validity. If you applied from outside the UK to obtain a BRP, the same will be available in the post office when you arrive in the UK. Your BRP is your form of identification and evidence of your right to reside and work within the United Kingdom.
What are the Requirements to Work in the UK for International Candidates?
There are several requirements to work in the UK but for the purpose of this article, we will only discuss two important ones.
1. A Valid Visa
The United Kingdom provides several categories of work visas for foreign candidates who would like to work there. These visas allow people to remain in the country for a longer duration and afford them a chance to get a productive job.
There is, for instance, the Skilled Worker Visa meant to enable individuals to work in eligible jobs for approved employers. Applicants are expected to provide documentary evidence that they have a valid certificate of sponsorship, a reference number, and a confirmed job offer from an employer and fulfil the requirements set by the government. It is a five-year visa and can be renewable.
The Health and Care Worker Visa is suitable for healthcare workers, allowing them to work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare institutions in the UK. Specific requirements include having healthcare qualifications and experience, having a confirmed job offer from the proposed employer, having a certificate of sponsorship, and meeting the minimum salary threshold. This visa is a five-year visa, and one can always renew it.
Another visa that an applicant can apply for is the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, which used to be the intra-company transfer visa. This visa is for international candidates to work for the employer in the UK branch if the candidate is already employed in a Home Office-recognized organization, has a certificate of sponsorship, and has a job that is recognized as permissible in the UK. The validity of this visa depends on the term of the sponsorship, which can be up to five years or the period of sponsorship plus 14 days.
Finally, the Scale-up Worker Visa allows the applicant to work in selected roles for eligible companies with high growth potential. In order to apply, the applicant must have a job offer from the scale-up business, a certificate of sponsorship, an eligible skilled occupation, and a minimum salary. This visa is initially given for two years and can be renewed for a further period of three years, after which the person may be granted permanent residence.
Candidates who qualify to apply for these visas must meet specific eligibility criteria and provide certificates of sponsorship and other certificates of qualifications since they are among the vital documents needed.
2. English Language Proficiency
To be employed in the UK, one has to prove a minimum level of English of B1 level on the CEFR scale. However, some employees may be exempt if they have taken an English assessment test recognized by the association of their profession such as nurses, doctors, dentists, midwives or vets. To fulfil the English language requirement, one can offer any of the following qualifications including a GCSE or A-level in English language, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher level in English h language, or a Scottish National Qualification at level 4 or 5 in English h language. Also, having a qualification from a UK school, or an educational qualification taught in English at the degree level satisfies this condition, among others.
How to Get a Job and Start Working in the UK Fast within a Month
1. Research on What you Want
You can search for relevant job vacancies in the United Kingdom using various resources, such as job sites, company websites, social networks, etc. It is recommended to use the name of the position together with the location, such as “software engineer jobs in the UK”, “IT jobs in London”, or “tech careers in Manchester. “ For the marketing jobs, use keywords such as “digital marketing jobs in the UK”, “marketing manager job in London”, and “advertising careers in Birmingham.
Moreover, it is advisable to use filters on the job boards and career websites to refine the search by the industry, job title, location, required salary and others. You can also join professional social networking sites such as LinkedIn and keep an eye on job postings. This way, you will raise the likelihood of discovering the perfect job in your line of work and begin your UK career.
2. Get your CV and Cover Letter Ready
While searching for employment in the UK, one has to make sure that the CV and the cover letter are specific to the company for which you are applying. These documents provide an excellent profile of your academic accomplishments, experience, skills and achievements in your previous jobs to convince your employer to recruit you. When writing a CV, you can tailor it to the company you are applying for by including the company’s goals and vision and explaining how this aligns with your career path.
It is also important to include the keywords from the job description in your application letters and other accompanying documents. This makes your CV and your cover letter get past the ATS and attract the attention of the hiring managers. In addition, make sure to also state your reason for wanting to work in the UK and your dream career path as well as how the UK market satisfies your expectations.
3. Go through an Agency
To live and work in the UK is a dream of many people, and many agencies and overseas employment providers can help to do this. This agency provides a wide range of vacancies, such as full-time and part-time employment, internships, volunteering programs, etc.
There are also reliable agencies that specialize in UK services which include, among others, visa acquisition, management of documents and opening of international bank accounts. They can also advise on other matters that may be helpful, for example, how to get around the UK, getting the relevant permits etc.
4. Get Ready for Your Interview
Success comes to those individuals who are well-prepared for their interviews. To achieve success in a job interview, it is recommended to find out typical questions that are usually asked to candidates for certain positions and rehearse the answers. This kind of preparation will make you comfortable and fluent in the course of the interview. You can also practice alone or with a friend you trust or even record your speech to observe your body language and voice. Practising in front of the mirror is also a good way to fine-tune one’s interviewing style and posture. Employers may apply other assessment procedures apart from traditional interviews. These activities are meant to test your ability to work in groups, communicate effectively and solve problems.
5. Volunteer
Volunteering in this country is unpaid, but volunteering has countless benefits aside from money. If you are willing to devote your time to changing the lives of people and communities in the United Kingdom, then volunteering is a great chance. Whether it is climate change, social issues or healthcare, volunteering helps you to do something that will make a difference and there is no greater joy than knowing you have benefited society.
For you to participate, you may require some finances in the form of savings, grants and or from friends and family. Volunteering in the UK gives one a fulfilling experience in life. You will be able to gain exposure to the British culture, learn good interpersonal and problem-solving skills among others, and impact positively on the lives of the needy. This can also be useful in your career advancement, will help to widen your professional contacts in your field of endeavour and will also give you relevant experience.
6. Start Freelancing
Freelancing in the UK provides one of the greatest opportunities for work flexibility and personal freedom for living and travelling. When you work remotely, you are your own boss and can, therefore, build your customer base as you wish, pick what you want to work on and offer and set your working schedule. Well-known freelance jobs in the UK are content writing, photography, website designing and travel writing among others. The UK is favourable for freelancers because it has a developed digital and creative environment. Regardless of where you are based, whether in London, Manchester, or Edinburgh, you can reach out to a large market of other clients and partners. Building a freelancing business is not very easy and requires time to integrate, therefore, it is advisable to plan before moving to the UK or switching to freelancing.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’re now equipped with the essential steps to move to the UK and start working within a month. Remember to stay focused, plan meticulously, and be prepared for the challenges and opportunities that come with this exciting adventure. With persistence and determination, you’ll be settling into your new UK life and thriving in your career in no time. We hope this article has been of tremendous help to you as we have just shown you the best strategies on how to move to the UK and start working within one month.