A UK work permit takes two to three months to be approved and allows you to work at a specific location and do a specific job.

Your new employer must file the work permit on your behalf. However, you will not be allowed to enter the country or work until the proper visa has been issued, and you have entry clearance for yourself and any dependents you may have.

You will also need to pay a healthcare surcharge.

Types of Work Visas in the UK and Requirements:

Tier 2 (General) visa is for people who have skilled jobs (earning at least 25,000 GBP or 32,000 USD). Sponsorship by a licensed organization in the field is required and is valid for up to six years.
Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa is for people working for a UK employer who are based overseas and are offered work in the UK. It is valid for six months to nine years.
Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa is for people who work for a sponsor faith community. It is valid for up to three years and can be extended.
Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa is for elite athletes or coaches endorsed by their sport’s national governing body. It is valid for up to three years and can be extended another three years.
Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa is for sponsored temporary workers (charity volunteer, athletes, artists, and religious workers), on official exchange or as part of an international agreement. It is valid for 1- 2 years.
Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa is for people aged 18-30, from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea or Taiwan and who have around 2,000 GBP (2,500 USD) in savings. It is valid for up to two years.
Domestic Workers in Private Household visa – for private domestic workers who have worked for their employer for at least a year. It is valid for a maximum of six months.
Permitted Paid Engagement visa is for short-term paid work in the UK without sponsorship. It is valid for one month.

UK Work Visa Costs

The UK visa fees will vary depending on the type of visa and the length of time you are staying in the UK.
There is a useful tool to work out the specific cost of your UK visa application.