Every year, seduced by the vinegary tang of fish and chips, cosy charm of English pubs, and architectural elegance of Buckingham Palace, many South Africans find themselves relocating to the United Kingdom.
Perhaps you are one of them.
Maybe you’ve been offered your dream job in London or are moving to Scotland to head up a team in Edinburgh. Either way, you will need a UK work visa to pursue your professional pursuits in the land of redheads and royal families.
And although the rigid regulations and changing legislation can make it a confusing and scary process, this guide will be your saving grace on your journey to work in the United Kingdom.
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Can South Africans work in the UK?
Yes. However, the process has gotten a bit more complicated since the overturn of visa-free travel for South Africans in 2008, so you will need more than just a job offer and few quid in the bank.
Nowadays your job needs to be on the Shortage Occupations List or you need to have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed company to be eligible for a UK work visa.
Note: This applies to South African passport holders wanting to work in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The UK work visa does not apply to:
• Applicants who have parents or grandparents born in the UK or Europe.
• Applicants who have partners with UK or EU citizenship.
• Applicants who are attending a conference or conducting business in the UK.
• Applicants who are visiting the UK for a holiday. See this guide to the UK Visa Application for South Africans.
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What is the Shortage Occupations List?
Skilled jobs need to be advertised to residents of the European Economic Area (EEA) for a certain amount of time before they can be offered to citizens from other countries. This is known as the Resident Labour Market Test and is in place to protect the domestic labour market.
The jobs that are on the Shortage Occupations List are the jobs that employers struggle to fill and that do not need to be advertised before being offered to a non-EEA citizen.
The jobs on this list include:
- Production managers
- Physical scientists
- Civil engineers
- Mechanical engineers
- Electrical engineers
- Electronics engineers
- Design and development engineers
- Production and process engineers
- Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified
- IT specialist managers
- IT business analysts, architects and systems designers
- Programmers and software development professionals
- Information technology and communications professionals not elsewhere classified
- Environmental Professionals
- Medical practitioners
- Medical radiographers
- Health professionals not elsewhere classified
- Nurses
- Secondary education teaching professionals
- Actuaries, economists, and statisticians
- Social workers
- Quality control and planning engineers
- Engineering technicians
- Paramedics
- Animation artists
- Dancers and choreographers
- Arts officers, producers, and directors
- Graphic designers
- Buyers and purchasing officers
- Welding trades
- Aircraft maintenance and related trades
- Line repairers and cable jointers
- Chefs
A detailed list can be found on the GOV.UK website.
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What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A company needs to have or obtain a licence to hire workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Once a company has a licence they can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to a foreign worker.
This needs to be included with your application when applying for a UK work visa under the Points Based system and must be used within three months from when it is assigned.
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What is the points-based system?
The 5-tier points-based system is the main immigration route for people wanting to live and work in the United Kingdom. Applicants are separated into five tiers and need to pass a points-based assessment in order to qualify for any one of these visas.
Points vary for each tier and are awarded according to experience, ability, and age.
| Condition | Points |
| Having a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | 30 |
| Receiving an Appropriate Salary for the job in question | 20 |
| Meeting the English Language criteria | 10 |
| Having enough Maintenance funds | 10 |
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What are the different types of UK work visas?
There are three main tiers of UK work visas: ‘high value’ workers, skilled workers, and temporary workers.
These are the main routes for migrants wanting to work in the United Kingdom. Each has their own requirements and limitations.
Tier 1: ‘High Value’ Migrant
1. Entrepreneur visa
This is for people who want to set up or run a business in the United Kingdom, have access to £200,000 (about R3.5 million) investment funds, and meet the eligibility requirements.
How long you can stay in the United Kingdom: three years.
Cost of visa: about R18,286 + healthcare surcharge (about R3460 per year).
2. Exceptional Talent visa
This is for people who are endorsed as a leader or emerging leader in the fields of science, humanities, engineering, medicine, digital technology, or the arts and meet the eligibility requirements.
How long you can stay in the United Kingdom: five years.
Cost of visa: about R10,889 + healthcare surcharge (about R3,460 per year).
3. Graduate Entrepreneur visa
This is for people who have been officially endorsed as having a credible business idea and meet the eligibility requirements.
How long you can stay in the United Kingdom: one year.
Cost of visa: about R6,501 + healthcare surcharge (about R3,460 per year).
4. Investor visa
This is for people who want to invest £2,000,000 (about R34 million) or more in the country and meet the eligibility requirements.
How long you can stay in the United Kingdom: three years.
Cost of visa: about R29,067 + healthcare surcharge (about R3,460 per year).
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Tier 2: Skilled Worker
1. General visa
This is for people who meet the eligibility requirements and have a skilled job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer, or whose job is on the Shortage Occupations List (see below).
How long you can stay in the United Kingdom: a maximum of five years.
Cost of visa: from about R8,000 to about R21,000 (fees vary according to your situation) + healthcare surcharge (about R3,460 per year).
A guide to the fees for a General visa can be found on the GOV.UK website.
2. Intra-company Transfer visa
This is for people who have been offered a role in the UK branch of their company or organisation and meet the eligibility requirements.
How long you can stay in the United Kingdom: 12 months to a maximum of nine years.
Cost of visa: from about R7,650 to about R22,000 (fees vary according to your situation) + healthcare surcharge (about R3,460 per year).
3. Minister of Religion visa
This is for people who have been offered a job within a religious community organisation in the UK and meet the eligibility requirements.
How long you can stay in the United Kingdom: three years.
Cost of visa: about R10,925 + healthcare surcharge (about R3,460 per year).
4. Sportsperson visa
This is for people who are recognised by their sport’s governing body as being at the highest level of their profession internationally and meet the eligibility requirements.
How long you can stay in the United Kingdom: three years.
Cost of visa: about R10,925 + healthcare surcharge (about R3,460 per year).
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Tier 5: Temporary Worker
1. Charity Worker visa
This is for people who want to do unpaid voluntary work for a charity and meet the eligibility requirements.
How long you can stay in the United Kingdom: one year.
Cost of visa: about R4,370 + healthcare surcharge (about R3,460 per year).
2. Creative and Sporting visa
This is for people who have been offered work in the UK as a creative worker (e.g. actor, dancer, musician, or film crew member) or sports person and meet the eligibility requirements.
How long you can stay in the United Kingdom: one year.
Cost of visa: about R4,370 + healthcare surcharge (about R3,460 per year).
3. Government Authorised Exchange visa
This is for people who want to go to the UK for a short time for training, work experience, research, a fellowship, or an Overseas Government Language Programme and meet the eligibility requirements.
How long you can stay in the United Kingdom: one or two years.
Cost of visa: about R4,370 + healthcare surcharge (about R3,460 per year).
Also read: How to study abroad as a South African
4. Religious Worker visa
This is for people who want to do religious work such as preaching or working in a religious order and meet the eligibility requirements.
How long you can stay in the United Kingdom: two years.
Cost of visa: about R4,370 + healthcare surcharge (about R3,460 per year).
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Other
1. One Month Permitted Paid Engagement Visa
This is for people who have been invited to the UK for a short period to do specific work (e.g. lecturer, fashion model, student examiner etc.) and meet the eligibility requirements.
How long you can stay in the United Kingdom: one month.
Cost of visa: about R1,666
A detailed policy guidance for Tier 2 of the Points Based System can be found on the GOV.UK website.
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How do I get a work visa for the UK?
UK Work Visa Application Process
After figuring out which UK work visa you need and receiving your Certificate of Sponsorship from your future employer, you can begin the application process for a UK work visa.
- Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Gather your documents.
- Register on the Visa4UK website and complete the application form.
- Pay the visa fee and health care surcharge.
- Print out your application form.
- Attend your appointment and submit your biometrics at one of the visa application centres in South Africa.
Note: If you will be staying in the UK for more than six months, you will need to get a tuberculosis (TB) test at one of the approved testing clinics in South Africa. The certificate will need to be included with your UK work visa application.
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How long does it take to get a visa to work in the UK?
The processing times from the date of submission is approximately 15 business days.
How early can I apply for a UK work visa?
3 months before you travel (e.g. If you are travelling on 3 May you can apply on 4 February).
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Can I apply for permanent residence?
It is possible to apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (also known as permanent residency) after being in the UK for a minimum of five years.
To qualify for permanent residence you will need to meet certain criteria and take the ‘Life in the UK’ test.
You will be able to apply for naturalisation as a UK citizen one year after being granted indefinite leave to remain.
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Some things to remember
- Go through a visa expert if you want to ensure your UK work visa application is 100% correct.
- It is important that you familiarise yourself with the immigration rules.
- Signing up for a Visa Denied Service is always recommended.
Also read: Travel regulations and documentation
Contact details
British High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa
Street Address: 255 Hill Street, Arcadia Pretoria, 0028
Telephone: +27 12 421 7500
Fax: +27 12 421 7599
Website: www.gov.uk
Email: pta.assistanceforbritishnationals@fco.gov.uk
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:00 to 17:00 / Friday 8:00 to 12:30
Consular Section: Monday to Thursday: 8:00 to 12:00
Visa Section: Monday to Thursday 8:00 to 16:00 / Friday 8:00 to 12:30
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*Disclaimer
All information on this page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart is not affiliated with immigration authorities or their application centres and will not be liable for loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this volatile information.
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Hi. My Name is Lufuno Netshiongolwe.
I had about shortage of truck drivers and poultry farm workers in UK. What must I do to be employed as a driver or poultry farm worker. Any website or place where those jobs are advertised.
Thanks
Netshiongolwe Lufuno.
Hi Lufuno, thank you for reaching out to us. Please see a general site for vacancies in the UK https://www.consumersearch.com/web?q=hiring%20international%20employees&o=765449&rch=test_431&gclid=Cj0KCQjw18WKBhCUARIsAFiW7JxWYUlT3gGtHzTvOyLem3BcNJffSGqpFwWoZRy0u0nsHWVPr1jm9B4aAvUpEALw_wcB&qo=semQuery&ad=semA&ag=fw2&an=google_s and then for vacancies in South Africa https://www.google.com/search?q=vacancies+south+africa+truck+drivers&rlz=1C1GCEA_enZA890ZA890&oq=vacancies+south+africa+truck+drivers&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30l2.11817j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ibp=htl;jobs&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiTv6Ws9J7zAhXGPsAKHX9UA4AQutcGKAF6BAgPEAc#htivrt=jobs&htidocid=ioM1omuW7bhx90_LAAAAAA%3D%3D&fpstate=tldetail I wish you all the best and will pray for a fast job confirmation.
Dear Travel start,
I lived and worked in the UK for 9 years before returning to South Africa in 2013, I need to know how I can claim either my pension back from the UK or my Tax?
Hi Nardus,
Thanks for reaching out.
For this you would need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions or go onto Gov.UK website for the most up to date information on correct procedures to follow.
Good day
Im 36 years old female and lives in south Africa i want to apply for a hairdressing job in the uk London im a 16 year qualified hairdresser..i would like to know how i can apply and u can help me..
Thanx
Hi Monica,
Thanks for reaching out.
You welcome to read through our blog: Everything You Should Know About the UK Work Visa For South Africans
However for the most up to date information we ask that you contact the Embassy direct. They will be able to advise on the correct procedures to follow as well as what documents you would need to get from the company who will be employing you, as well as documents from your side.
Hello my name is karren .l have a Bachelors degree in Social work from University of Eswatini. l graduated last year.l would like to know more about the process of going to Uk and the costs involved .
Hi Karren,
Thanks for reaching out.
You welcome to read through our blog: Everything You Should Know About the UK Work Visa For South Africans
However for the most up to date information we ask that you contact the Embassy direct. They will be able to advise on the correct procedures to follow as well as what documents you would need to get from the company who will be employing you, as well as documents from your side.
Hello
I just wanted to know. I have an apprenticeship offer in the Northern Ireland and it includes me going to college for 1 day a week and working 4 days a week for the company that I am placed in by the college. What visa do I apply for? The study visa or a work visa?
Kind regards
Siviwe
I am South African by the way
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch. Sounds like a fabulous opportunity.
Please contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency direct. They will be able to advise on the correct visa to apply for, what documents would be required and the cost.
Hi.
I want to go and live in Europe for a year with a possibility to work while i am there. Which Visa can be suitable.
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Please contact the Embassy of the country you wish to go live in. They will advise what documents are required, correct procedures to follow and cost involved.
Hay
Im intrested in working in England as a chef. If I get a sponsor from a restaurant would I be required to work at that specific restaurant for the duration of my time in England. Or can I go work somewhere else after a few months.
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
We do not specialise in work visa related queries. Please contact the Embassy direct as they grant the visa’s from their side.
Hi. I work for a British company who offered me a position in the UK office, they will act as sponsor. Will my husband automatically be allowed to come with me?
Also, I have a criminal record for speeding (once), does that automatically disqualify me?
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m afraid we are not able to answer your query. For this you would need to contact the Embassy direct. As they are the ones granting the visa’s they will be able to advise accordingly.
Thank you for the information,
I would like to know I am 39 years old and a born South African, what are the chances for me and my daughter to immigrate to the UK and what other requirements are needed for me to do.
Also I wanted to live in the area of Birmingham as I do have a friend that lives there. What schools and jobs would be best to apply to as I am a Legal Secretary but will do any work.
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m afraid we do not specialise on agglomeration queries. For this you need to contact the Embassy direct.
They will advise what documents are required, the correct procedures you would need to follow and the cost involved.
Hi, our son is a 19 year old SA citizen who wants to visit the UK to stay with his friend (a UK citizen) and be able to do casual work while he is there. We heard there is a 2 year visit visa available to SA citizens, under the age of 27, that allows them to visit for up to 2 years and travel in and out of the UK and do some temporary paid work when they are there. We have looked through the UKL Gov website related to visa but can’t find any info?
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for reaching out.
You welcome to read through our Blog: Everything You Should Know About the UK Work Visa For South Africans
http://www.travelstart.co.za/blog/uk-work-visa/
However visa information changes all the time, so we do recommened you contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency direct for the most up to date information. They will advise on the correct procedures to follow, what documents would be required and the cost.
Hi,
I am trying to organise for a South African artist/dj to come to perform at an event next month/October. I would personally be paying for the return ticket as well as hosting him for the duration of the stay. Which visa would he apply for and what will be expected to provided, with regards to details of the visit, letter of invite etc.
Please advise.
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Please contact the Embassy direct as they are granting the visa’s. They will advise on the correct procedure to follow when applying, what documents are required and the cost.
Hi There
I hold both a UK and South African passport. I am planning on visiting the UK for a holiday with my 13 year old daughter. She was born in South Africa and holds a South African passport. Does she require a visa to enter the UK?
Thanks so much
Hi Belinda,
Thanks for getting in touch.
That is correct as she is travelling on a South African passport, you will need to apply for a UK visa for her.
Hi there, thank you for the article it makes so much sense:)
I have a question: I would like to au pair in the UK. If i find a host family and have a job secures, will i be able to apply for a work visa?
I appreciate your soonest response.
Thank you 🙂
Hi Kaylee,
It should make things a lot easier when applying for a work visa. However it is up to the discretion of the Embassy if a visa is granted or not.
I suggest contacting the Embassy or official visa handling agency direct to get the most up to date information from them.
My mother was born in the UK and I have applied for my British passport along with my three sisters. I have been in a long term relationship with a woman for 15 years now (not married). How does my partner apply and what are the costs involved.
Hi John,
Thanks for getting in touch.
For this you would need to contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise if it is possible for a partner to apply, what the correct procedures would be, what documents would be required and the cost involved.
I am female nurse that has worked in the UK for 14 years but did not take the British passport thinking that I will not need to return for work again. I had a leave to remain in the UK for all my stay there, Now I have been away from the UK for 4 yr. Does it still expire after two years, if it does, is it possible to reinstate so that I can join the nursing profession in the UK again.
Hi Peggy,
Thanks for the interesting question. For this you would need to contact the Embassy. The official authorities will be able to advise and provide you with the correct information.
Hi there.
Thanks so much for this.
I just want to know whether my husband who has a South African passport only, can join me to work in England without a visa, as I have an Italian passport. It seems too good to be true! Thank you!
Hi Claudia,
For this you would need to contact the UK Embassy or official visa handling agency.
They specialise in working / visa related queries and would be able to provide you with the most up to date information if this is possible or not.
Thank you for all this information. It certainly makes one’s life easier.
Just wish I fitted some of the categories to apply for work with a South African passport?
Hi Sue,
For this you would need to contact the Embassy direct.
They will advise what paper work you would need to get from your employer in the UK and submit it to them along with what personal documents you would need, the correct procedures to follow and the cost.
I would like to know, i want to go study Security in UK, after studying maybe find work after, is it possible like that or i will need to apply for a specific vosa whoch will allow me to study amd work after my studies ?! Pleaae Advice. Thank u.
Klaas
Hi Madikwe,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Once you have completed your studies you would then need to apply for a work visa.
With regards to working and studying on one visa, for this you would need to contact the Embassy direct. They will advise if this is possible and if so the correct procedures to follow when applying for that visa, what documents you would require and the cost involved.
Hi, Im a 33 year old male. Born in South Africa,Durban. Qualified with National Diploma in IT (Software development) as well as MCP Certified with Microsoft and other relevant technical certifications. I have 3 years Software Dev experience as well as 11 years in other technical IT Positions. Please can you advise on cost to Apply for skill shortage visa as well requirements needed for sponsorship?. I have no family or friends in the UK.
Please kindly advise?
Hi there,
I’m afraid we do not specialise in work visa’s. For this you need to contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency direct.
They will be able to advise on the correct procedures to follow, what documents you would require as well as cost involved.
My South African passport expires in June 2019 but my England Visa only expires in 2027… can I apply for a new SouthAfrican passport and then use the England visa in the old passport by presenting both passports at customs ?
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
This should be ok but rules can change at anytime, so I would recommend contacting the Embassy or official visa handling agency to get the most up to date information.
Hi, I am a 53 year old male with a Electrical Qualification. What are my chances of getting a work visa in the UK?
Hi Dean,
As we don’t grant the visa’s this is hard to say. It depends on the demand and usually the age too.
I would suggest contacting the Visa Experts, their contact details are mentioned in our blog and the relevant links provided.
As they specialise in this area they will be able to provide you with more information.
Hi. I am 39 years of age permanent residence of South Africa. Looking to work in UK as a Financial Administrator or Banker as I have work experience in those fields. I have a college Diploma(Bank Clerk)
Which recruitment agencies should I contact for me to be able to apply for a job in UK.
Thank you
HI Jeanett,
For this I would recommend contacting the British High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa.
They should be able to give you names and contact details of reputable recruitment agencies to apply through.
Their contact details are below:
Street Address: 255 Hill Street, Arcadia Pretoria, 0028
Telephone: +27 12 421 7500
I would very much like to work as a live-in carer in the UK. Would it be a problem for me obtaining a work visa as I am 65 year old female. I have a daughter and grandson living in the UK which would make it easier on weekend offs.
My birth country is South Africa… Could you advice me as to any possibilities of achieving my goal.
Thanking you
Colleen Inez Hopgood
Hi Colleen,
Thanks for getting in touch.
To my knowledge you would first need to find a job who would then need to send the relevant documents the Embassy requires when applying for a work visa.
However as we do not specialise in work visa’s we recommend you contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency direct. They will be able to provide you with the most up to date information on the correct procedures to follow, what documents are required as well as the cost.
Hi. I’m a 31 years old permanent resident of South Africa and in possession of a BSW, MSW-FP and PG DIP Information Sciences and would like to apply for a work permit to the UK. However, I am not certain on the appropriate steps I need to follow in order to accomplish my quest for job opportunities in the UK, particularly in London. Please enlighten me on the latter…Thank you
Hi Shaun,
For this you would need to contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency direct.
They will be able to provide you with the most up to date information on the correct procedures to follow when applying for a work visa. What documents you would need to submit from the company which has employed you, as well as other documents, correct procedures to follow as cost involved.
British High Commission (Pry)
Physical Address : 255 Hill Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0028
Tel No : 012 421 7500
UK Visa & Immigration – International Enquiry Service
Tel No : 021 300 3758 or 00 44 2034 811 736
Web Address : https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration
*Please note: This is a paid service, at a cost per minute
my husband is on the shortage Occupations List and is 58 years old. I can’t find anything about age restriction for the shortage occupation list.
Is there anyone that can help us to find where we can find sponsors?