The United Kingdom holds the 6th position for having the largest economies in the world. The country’s highly progressive technology and multicultural environment make it one of the top work destinations. The UK has one of the top companies with plenty of employment opportunities with the top highest paid jobs in the UK. Foreign nationals seeking job opportunities in the UK can apply for a UK visa for jobs. International students who have completed their education in the UK and explore post-study work visa options. Last year, the country granted over 242,000+ work visas across different work visa categories.
Most of the best-earning jobs in the UK are available in the tertiary sector, which includes schools, hospitals, financial institutions, corporate offices, etc. The jobs are grouped into four classifications, such as:
Companies in the UK provide a maximum of 28 paid leaves in a year, with other employee benefits that include medical insurance, social security, retirement benefits once eligible, and more. Foreign nationals with prior professional experience, the required educational qualifications, and the right skill set can earn tenfold their current salary by applying through the highest paid occupations in the UK.
Job seekers worldwide are moving to the UK for better employment prospects. The high wages, job opportunities, and plenty of career benefits offered in the UK are some of the prime reasons that make it an ideal destination for job aspirants. To work in the UK, one requires a valid UK work visa. The country offers different types of UK work visas for different categories of workers. The UK work visa gives you the right to enter, reside, and work in the country for the duration of your work visa.
The UK offers different work visa types for foreign nationals seeking employment there. Some of the most common UK work visas are as follows:
To apply for a UK work visa, you must fulfill the below eligibility criteria:
*Want to apply for a UK work visa? Let Y-Axis assist you with the process.
You can refer to the below table for UK work visa costs:
| UK work visa | UK work visa cost |
| Skilled worker visa | £719 - £1,639 + £1,035 as healthcare surcharge for 12 months |
| Global Talent visa | £716 + £1,035 as healthcare surcharge for 12 months |
| Seasonal Worker Visa | £298 |
| Health and Care Worker visa | £284 for 3 years & £551 for more than 3 years |
| Innovator and Start-Up Visa | £1,191 + £1,035 as healthcare surcharge for 12 months |
You can apply for a UK work visa of your choice to start working in the UK. With a UK work visa, you can live and work there throughout the visa validity. The country offers many career opportunities, allowing you to expand your network globally, explore the UK job market, and access other career-enhancing work options.
Here is a 5-step guide to work in high-paying jobs in the UK:
Step 1: Check if you are eligible to apply for a UK work visa
Step 2: Choose the correct type of UK work visa
Step 3: Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the UK employer
Step 4: Arrange the requirements as per the work visa
Step 5: Complete the visa fee payment
Step 6: Submit the requirements along with the biometrics
Step 7: Apply for the UK visa
Step 8: Wait for the visa status
Most of the UK visas listed below have an average processing time of 3-8 weeks. The processing time for UK visas applied outside the UK takes around 3 weeks, while visas applied from within the UK take around 8 weeks.
You can refer to the table below for the processing times of UK visas:
| UK work visa | UK work visa cost |
| Skilled worker visa | 3-8 weeks |
| Global Talent visa | 3-8 weeks |
| Seasonal Worker Visa | 3 weeks |
| Health and Care Worker visa | 3 weeks |
| Innovator and Start-Up Visa | 3-8 weeks |
The requirements to apply for a UK visa are as follows:
The average salary offered to a full-time employee in the UK is around £37,430 per annum, whereas the average weekly pay is £728 and £18.64 per hour.
The table below has the list of the top 10 highest-paying jobs in the UK, along with their average annual salaries:
| Occupations | Average Salaries (per annum) |
| Engineering | £41,052 |
| IT | £41,124 |
| Marketing & Sales | £36,328 |
| HR | £32,991 |
| Healthcare | £45,904 |
| Teachers | £35,222 |
| Accountants | £37,500 |
| Hospitality | £30,161 |
| Nursing | £35,100 |
| STEM | £38,142 |
Skilled workers in the UK can earn around £26,394 -£34,200 per year, depending on the region and job role. Individuals working in London can earn an average annual salary of £34,200, while those working in the North-eastern region of the UK can earn a comparatively low wage of up to £24,450.
The table below has the list of top 10 in-demand professions in the UK:
| Job role | Average Salary (per annum) |
| Business Analyst | £42,000 |
| Operations Manager | £42,500 |
| Programmers and Software Developers | £26,000 |
| Cyber Security Specialists | £25,000 |
| Architects | £28,000 |
| Health Services and Residential Care | £21,000 - £30,000 |
| Graphic Designers | £18,800 |
| Physical Scientists | £29,000 |
| Sales Assistant | £16,977 |
| Customer Service Advisor | £18,801 |
Before you can start applying for jobs in the UK, it is crucial to understand the UK job market and the prerequisites that could land you your dream job.
Here are some of the pointers to keep in mind before applying for jobs in the UK:
While it is recommended to seek expert guidance while looking for jobs in the UK, you can also avail some of the other job search platforms listed below:
Individuals looking to apply for jobs in the UK require a CV. A good CV can fetch you more points and improve your chances of getting hired. To apply for UK jobs, you must design your CV as per the UK style.
Here are all the sections that should be included in your UK-style CV:
Attending an interview can be quite unnerving, but you can crack it with the proper preparation and groundwork.
Below are some interview tips that can help you with the interview:
Planning your finances and expenditures before moving to the UK is advised. The cost of living in the UK depends on whether you live alone or with your family. Living expenses may also differ based on the locality or region you plan to move to.
Living costs in the UK vary depending on the locality, whether you live with family and other factors. The average cost of living in the UK as a single adult is around £754, with the rent included.
The below table gives you an overview of the cost of living in the UK:
| Factors | Average Cost of living (per month) |
| Accommodation | £690 - £955 |
| Food | £200 - £350 |
| Bills (Gas, electricity. broadband, TV license and water) | London: £200 |
| Rest of UK: £120 | |
| Groceries | London: £175 |
| Rest of UK: £136 | |
| Mobile phone | £18 (SIM-only plan) |
| Laundry | £25 (approx.) |
| Stationery and textbooks | £35 - £55 |
| Travel (buses, trams, and trains) | £110 (in London) |
| £70 (The rest of UK) | |
| Movie ticket | £9 (approx.) |
| Dinner at restaurant | £15-16 |
The UK’s National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are a form of direct tax. Self-employed individuals and those working in the UK are required to pay NIC once they reach the specified salary threshold.
Individuals with a standard personal allowance worth £12,570 and onwards must pay income tax. The table below has details of the tax rates that are to be paid as per the given bands:
| Band | Taxable income | Tax rate |
| Personal Allowance | Up to £12,570 | 0% |
| Basic rate | £12,571 to £50,270 | 20% |
| Higher rate | £50,271 to £125,140 | 40% |
| Additional rate | over £125,140 | 45% |
Some of the additional resources available for UK workers are listed below:
Workers in the UK can enjoy several rights and liberties, some of which include:
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You can switch jobs on a Skilled Worker Visa, provided your new job role has the same SOC (standard occupation code) as your ongoing job role and the employer is the same as your current one. You would be required to apply for a new, updated Skilled Worker Visa if you have plans on changing employers or are looking for a change in the SOC.
A UK visa can take 3-12 weeks, depending on the type and the UK visa category.
Some of the highest-paid jobs for new immigrants in the UK include:
| Job role | Average Salary (Per annum) |
| Investment Banking Analyst | £50,752 |
| Software Engineer | £34,106 |
| Business Analyst | £32,142 |
| Data Scientist | £30,791 |
| Financial Analyst | £28,717 |
| Software Developer | £28,609 |
| Civil Engineer | £28,475 |
| Auditor | £28,288 |
| Design Engineer | £28,288 |
| Mechanical Engineer | £28,273 |
Yes, dependents can work on a UK work visa, depending on the type of visa and the relationship between the dependent and the visa holder. Spouses, civil partners, and dependent children can apply as dependents of the UK work visa holder.
You can follow the below steps to extend or renew your work visa in the UK:
Step 1: Check if your current visa is eligible for a renewal
Step 2: If yes, arrange the documents
Step 3: Create an account on the official UKVI website
Step 4: Fill out the application and submit the requirements
Step 5: Complete the required fee payment
Step 6: Schedule a biometric appointment
Step 7: Submit the renewal application
Step 8: Wait for the status
