Working in European countries for non-EU citizens

Unless you are British or Irish, or have status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you need a visa to work in the UK – this now applies to EU citizens too. As an EU visitor you need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) and can stay up to 6 months, but you cannot work. The main routes:

• EU Settlement Scheme – only for people who lived in the UK by 31 December 2020 (and their family members). The deadline was 30 June 2021; late applications are accepted only with reasonable grounds.
• Graduate visa – after a UK bachelor’s or postgraduate degree, while you still hold a Student visa: 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026, 18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027 (3 years after a PhD). Fee £937 plus the health surcharge.
• Skilled Worker visa – a job offer from an approved employer in an eligible occupation, usually paying at least £41,700 a year or the “going rate” for the job, whichever is higher (in some cases £33,400). You must speak English; the visa lasts up to 5 years before you extend it.
• Youth Mobility Scheme – up to 2 years for young people from listed countries (e.g. Australia, Canada, Japan, Iceland, Andorra); no EU country is on the list at the moment.

All work visas are listed on GOV.UK – work visas.