Stage 2 of 7 · 5 lessons · ~2 weeks
Visas and work permits
Learn the work routes for your destination from the government's own pages: who applies, what the job and salary must meet, how long it lasts, whether family can join and what happens if you change jobs. Write every rule down with the date you read it.
Start: Employer-sponsored and job-seeker routesLessons· one lesson for each topic, in this order
Do this
- Identify your main work route and whether it is employer-sponsored or job-seeker.
- Read its official page and write each condition with the date you read it.
- Check the salary threshold or qualifying salary for your role and level.
- Note the documents, fees and processing time from the official page.
- Write down the family rights and job-change rules for the route.
- Note the path from this permit to longer-term residence.
Start with· follow one of these
- GuideFreeUK Skilled Worker visa (GOV.UK)
UK Home Office (GOV.UK)
The full Skilled Worker rules: skill level, salary, English, fees and family
- GuideFreeIreland employment permits (Critical Skills and General)
Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Ireland
Critical Skills and General Employment permits, thresholds and Stamp 4
Practise
Keep handy
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Check your understanding of a route with someone who has been through it
Before moving on: A one-page visa note for your main route, built from official pages with the date you read each: who applies, the job, salary and education conditions, the documents, the processing time, family rights, job-change rules and the path to longer-term residence.
For the UK, the salary threshold and sponsor licence decide everything, so check both before you invest in an application. For Ireland, the Critical Skills permit is the one to aim for: it leads to Stamp 4 and lets your partner work.