Want to work in the UK? Know

your visa options

There are a lot of different visa options for New Zealand nationals wanting to work and do business in the UK. This document helps you decide which is the right option for you by giving you an overview of the different possibilities, all in the one place. It will also point you in the right direction for more information. You can also visit www.gov.uk/ukvi

What visas are available?

Just visiting?

New Zealand citizens do not generally need a visa to visit the UK for less than six months unless they plan to get married in the UK. While visiting, you can conduct business for an overseas-based company.

This includes attending meetings and conferences, negotiating, attending trade fairs, and information gathering.

For more information on what business-related activities you can undertake as a visitor in the UK, please visit www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor-rules

Tier 1 visas

There are several types of Tier 1 visas available – these are listed below with links to more information.

• Entrepreneur visa: if you want to set up a business in the UK, and have at least £50,000 to invest: www.gov.uk/tier-1-entrepreneur

• Investor visa: if you want to invest £2 million of your funds in the UK: www.gov.uk/tier-1-investor

• Graduate Entrepreneur visa: for graduates endorsed as having a genuine and credible business idea: www.gov.uk/tier-1-graduate-entrepreneur-visa

• Exceptional Talent visa: for those endorsed as an internationally recognised talent or showing exceptional promise in their field: www.gov.uk/tier-1-exceptional-talent

Skilled worker (Tier 2 visa)

This visa is for those people who have been offered:

• A graduate level job in the UK: www.gov.uk/tier-2-general

• A role in their employer’s UK branch: www.gov.uk/tier-2-intracompany-transfer-worker-visa/overview

• A job in a religious role: www.gov.uk/tier-2-minister-of-religion-visa

• A job as an elite sportsperson or coach: www.gov.uk/tier-2-sportsperson-worker-visa

Temporary worker (Tier 5 visa)

A temporary worker visa may suit if you want to work in the UK for a short time (usually less than 24 months):

• In sports - you will need an endorsement from an appropriate sports governing body.

• In arts or entertainment – you will need to meet the eligibility requirements of the creative workers category.

• In a work experience or training role, or as a sponsored researcher.

• For a charity doing unpaid voluntary work.

• In work governed by international law, such as for a foreign government.

• For a religious organisation.

For more information on any of these temporary worker visas please visit www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

Youth Mobility Scheme (Tier 5 visa)

If you are a New Zealander aged 18 to 30 and want to live and work in the UK for up to two years, then you can consider this visa. It allows you to undertake study and work in most jobs.

You do not need to have a UK job offer to apply for this visa. You can also leave and re-enter the UK any time during your stay.

Applicants need to have £1,890 in savings. You cannot apply for this visa if you have dependent children. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/tier-5-youth-mobility

UK Ancestry visa

If one of your grandparents was born in the UK, and you are planning to work in the UK, then a UK Ancestry visa may be for you.

These visas are available to New Zealanders who:

• Can prove that one of their grandparents was born in the UK.

• Can and plan to work in the UK.

• Are 17 or over.

• Have enough money to support and house yourself without support from public funds.

You must apply from outside the UK. This visa allows you to stay for five years and potentially settle in the UK.

You can study, work and bring family members with you on this visa. You do not need to have a UK job offer to apply. For more information, please visit www.gov.uk/ancestry-visa

Representative of an Overseas Business visa

This visa may suit you if you are:

• Going to the UK as the sole representative of a non-UK company to set up a UK branch, or a wholly-owned subsidiary.

• An employee of an overseas news agency on assignment in the UK.

For more information please visit www.gov.uk/representative-overseas-business

How do I apply?Before you apply we highly recommend reading the guidance for your preferred visa type on the websites provided. Once submitted, the UK aims to process non-settlement visa applications within three weeks.

Step 1: Go to www.visa4UK.fco.gov.uk to complete your application form, book an appointment to have your biometric information taken, and pay your visa fee and immigration health surcharge (if required) online.

To work out your visa fees, please visit www.gov.uk/visa-fees.

For information about the immigration health surcharge please visit www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application

Step 2: Before your appointment, prepare your application package. This should include:

• A printed and signed copy of your application form.

• Your supporting documents (original and a photocopy, and translations if the document is not in English).

• Your passport.

• A passport style photo.

Step 3: Visit the visa application centre at the arranged time to submit your application and have your biometric data taken. There are three New Zealand centres in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

What happens next?We advise visa applicants not to confirm any travel arrangements until their visa has been granted. Processing times vary according to the type of visa application and can also vary during busy periods.

If you applied for up to six months leave and your application is successful you will be issued with a vignette in your passport covering the entire period of your leave. You do not need to collect a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) when you arrive in the UK.

If you applied for more than six months leave and your application is successful, you will be issued with a 30 day vignette in your passport valid from the date of your intended travel to the UK (which can be a maximum of three months from your application date). You should enter the UK within that 30 day period.

If you are not able to travel during this period, you will have to apply for a further 30 day vignette in order to enter the UK. You can do this from outside your normal country of residence.

Once you enter the UK, you will need to collect your BRP within 10 days of your arrival from your designated Post Office. BRPs will not be available until seven days after the start date on your visa.

For more information please visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/biometric-residence-permits-overseas-applicant-and-sponsor-information

If you have a question not answered in this leaflet or online, please contact www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-outside-uk or call 64-4-4880091