Determine which visa category you are most suitable for and get all required evidence ready. All visa applicants must be able to prove they have enough money to support themselves and any dependents in the UK. The amount required will differ according to the type of work visa you need; however, in all cases the funds must have been held in your bank account for at least three months prior to the date you submit your application. In addition, your bank balance must not fall below the required amount at any time during the three-month period.
Seek employment. You'll usually need an offer of employment from a UK employer who must be registered as a sponsor under the migration scheme. The employer will issue you a certificate of sponsorship that you must submit with your visa application along with other documents. If applying for a visa under Highly Skilled Individuals, Tier 1, you do not normally need guaranteed work from a UK employer beforehand, but you still must acquire enough points to qualify.
Conduct a self-assessment. Visa applicants must achieve a certain number of points to qualify. Use the online Self-Assessment Points Calculator to obtain your individual score based on your skills and the type of visa you are applying for. It's a big help if you have the certificate of sponsorship in hand when self-assessing, as it will increase the number of points awarded.
