Common Work Visa Routes in the UK
Some of the primary work visa options include:
- Skilled Worker Visa — For those with a job offer from a UK employer who holds a sponsor licence. (gov.uk)
- Graduate Visa — For international students who’ve completed UK degrees, allowing them to stay and work.
- High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa — For recent graduates from top global universities, no job offer required.
- Temporary / Short-Term Work Visas — Creative Worker, Charity Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, etc.
- Global Business Mobility Visas — Senior / Specialist Workers, intra-company transfers, etc.
- UK Ancestry Visa — Available to Commonwealth citizens with UK ancestry, allowing them to live & work.
Key Eligibility Criteria & Steps
To qualify for many UK work visas:
- You typically need a job offer from a UK employer who is a licensed sponsor.
- The employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- You must meet the minimum salary threshold, which varies by job, but often starts around £33,400/year if not in health/education.
- There are other requirements: English language proficiency, financial maintenance, and meeting job “going rate” criteria.
- Visa fees apply and vary by route.
- Timing: You must apply within 3 months of receiving your Certificate of Sponsorship.
Dogpay’s Role in Work Visa Financial Flows
While the visa itself is an immigration matter, financial flows before, during, and after your move often cross borders. Dogpay can help in these payment scenarios:
- Paying Visa Application & Sponsorship Fees Some fees or sponsorship steps may require payments in GBP or to UK entities; Dogpay helps you send these from your home country reliably and with transparent exchange rates.
- Moving / Relocation Costs Expenses such as international moving, shipping goods, or agent fees often need cross-border payments—Dogpay helps streamline them.
- Initial Rent, Deposits & Housing Setup Before your UK bank account is fully ready, Dogpay can be used to pay your deposit or first month’s rent to landlords or agents.
- Receiving Salary / Side Income If you receive portions of your income or freelancing payments from abroad, Dogpay ensures smooth conversion and transfer into GBP / your UK account.
- Recurring Expenses & Service Payments Utilities, subscriptions, insurance, or service contracts in either your home country or UK can be automated via Dogpay.
- Documentation & Receipts Dogpay provides timestamped transaction logs and exportable receipts—valuable if immigration, taxation, or audits require you to show proof of payments.
- Reducing Hidden Bank / FX Costs Traditional international transfers often come with hidden markups or fees; using Dogpay helps you retain more of your funds without excessive loss in conversion or intermediaries.
