UK Work Visas

UK Work Visa Solicitors in Manchester

Moving to the UK to work, or bringing skilled staff into a British business, means navigating one of the most technical parts of the immigration system. The rules change frequently, the Home Office application forms are unforgiving, and a single error or missing document can lead to refusal, wasted fees and lost time. At MCR Solicitors, our Manchester-based immigration team advises individuals, employers and sponsors on the full range of UK work visa routes, helping you understand which category fits your circumstances and giving your application the best possible chance of success.

We act for skilled workers, healthcare professionals, business visitors, senior transferees and the companies that employ them. Whether you are applying for the first time, extending your stay, switching between routes or progressing towards settlement, we provide clear, practical advice grounded in the current Immigration Rules.

Which UK Work Visa Routes We Advise On

The UK operates a points-based immigration system with several distinct work routes, each with its own eligibility criteria, salary thresholds and documentary requirements. The routes we regularly advise on include:

• Skilled Worker visa – the main route for people with a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor in an eligible occupation, subject to skill and salary requirements.
• Health and Care Worker visa – a route within the Skilled Worker category for qualifying medical, health and adult social care professionals, with reduced fees and exemption from the immigration health surcharge.
• Global Business Mobility routes – including the Senior or Specialist Worker route for multinational staff transferring to a UK branch, and related expansion, graduate trainee, service supplier and secondment routes.
• Global Talent visa – for leaders and potential leaders in academia, research, arts, culture and digital technology who hold an endorsement from an approved body.
• High Potential Individual and Scale-up routes – for graduates of qualifying overseas universities and for people working for fast-growing UK businesses.
• Temporary Work and Youth Mobility routes – for seasonal, charitable, creative, sporting, religious and government-authorised exchange work, and for eligible young people from participating countries.
• Sponsor licence applications – helping UK employers apply for, manage and maintain the licence they need before they can sponsor overseas workers.

Because eligibility criteria, salary thresholds and fees are updated regularly by the Home Office, we always check the position at the date of your application. For current published figures you should also refer to the official guidance at gov.uk, and we will confirm how the rules apply to your specific situation.

How MCR Solicitors Can Help

Our role is to take the uncertainty out of the process and to protect you from avoidable mistakes. Depending on your needs, we can:

• Assess your eligibility and advise on the most appropriate visa route for your circumstances and long-term goals.
• Review your job offer, Certificate of Sponsorship and salary to check they meet the relevant requirements.
• Prepare and check your supporting documents, including evidence of qualifications, English language ability and maintenance funds where required.
• Complete and submit your online application accurately, and prepare you for the biometric and identity verification steps.
• Advise on dependants, so that partners and children can be included where they qualify.
• Help with visa extensions, switching routes from inside the UK, and applications for indefinite leave to remain (settlement).
• Support employers with sponsor licence applications, compliance duties and record-keeping obligations.
• Advise on responding to a refusal, including reviewing the reasons and considering administrative review or a fresh application where appropriate.

Support for Employers and Sponsors

Employing overseas talent brings valuable skills to a business, but sponsorship carries significant legal responsibilities. We help Manchester and UK-wide employers obtain a sponsor licence, understand their reporting and record-keeping duties, assign Certificates of Sponsorship correctly and prepare for Home Office compliance visits. Getting these obligations right protects your workforce and reduces the risk of licence suspension or revocation.

The Application Process Step by Step

While every case is different, a typical work visa matter with us follows a clear structure:

1. Initial consultation. We discuss your background, job offer or business plans and immigration history, then identify the routes realistically open to you.
2. Eligibility and document review. We check that you and, where relevant, your sponsor meet the requirements, and we build a tailored list of the evidence you need to provide.
3. Preparation. We help you gather and present your documents correctly and complete the online application, paying close attention to salary, skill level and English language requirements.
4. Submission and biometrics. We submit the application and guide you through the identity verification and biometric enrolment process.
5. Decision and next steps. Once a decision is made, we explain what it means, advise on your conditions of stay, and plan ahead for any future extension or settlement application.

Home Office processing times vary depending on the route, where you apply and whether you use a priority service. We will give you a realistic expectation based on current published timescales, but we do not control Home Office decision-making and cannot guarantee a particular outcome or timeframe.

Why Choose MCR Solicitors

MCR Solicitors is a Manchester law firm with an established immigration practice serving clients across the North West and throughout the UK. We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, so you receive advice from qualified professionals who are bound by strict standards of conduct and who carry professional indemnity insurance.

• Focused immigration knowledge. Our team keeps up to date with frequent changes to the Immigration Rules and points-based system so that your application reflects the law as it stands today.
• Individual and business clients. We advise both applicants and the employers who sponsor them, giving us a rounded understanding of how the sponsorship system works in practice.
• Clear, honest advice. We tell you where your case is strong and where it carries risk, so you can make informed decisions rather than relying on guesswork.
• Accessible and local. Based in Manchester, we offer appointments that fit around work and family, and we communicate in plain language throughout.
• Transparent costs. We explain our fees clearly at the outset and keep you informed, separating our professional charges from Home Office application fees and the immigration health surcharge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a job offer before I apply for a work visa?

For most sponsored routes, including the Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas, you need a confirmed job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor and a valid Certificate of Sponsorship before you can apply. Some routes, such as the Global Talent visa, work differently and rely on endorsement rather than a job offer. We will advise which route fits your situation.

Can my family come with me to the UK?

Many work visa routes allow you to bring dependants, meaning a partner and children under 18, provided they meet the relevant requirements. Each dependant usually needs their own application, and additional fees and the immigration health surcharge normally apply. We can prepare the whole family’s applications together.

How much does a UK work visa cost?

The total cost usually includes the Home Office application fee, the immigration health surcharge and, in some cases, an English language test and document translation. These government charges change periodically and depend on your route and length of stay, so we recommend checking the current figures on gov.uk. We will give you a clear breakdown of our professional fees separately before you instruct us.

Can a work visa lead to permanent settlement?

Several work routes, including the Skilled Worker visa, can lead to indefinite leave to remain after a qualifying period of continuous residence, provided you continue to meet the requirements. Not every route leads to settlement, so if long-term residence is your goal it is important to choose the right path from the start. We can advise on a route that supports your plans.

What happens if my application is refused?

A refusal is not always the end of the matter. Depending on the reasons given, you may be able to request an administrative review, correct an issue and reapply, or pursue another appropriate remedy. We can review the decision, explain your options and help you decide on the best way forward. We cannot guarantee the outcome of any application or challenge.