As remote work has become an international workplace standard, certain regulatory implementations have become a common fixture for workers across the globe. Standard work visas still hold sway when it comes to building a team of international workers, however, numerous organizations are finding it easier to incorporate new talent remotely and through modern means, such as digital nomad visas.
As a result, nomad visas have become an enticing prospect for international enterprises looking to incorporate a staff of talented workers who may come from out-of-country.
On the surface, a nomad visa may mimic certain traits of a traditional work visa, but there are more complex moving parts to it than one may realize.
This report will break down the basic building blocks of nomad visas and other similar worker applications in the United Kingdom. Let’s explore.
What is a Digital Nomad Visa?
Before you start looking into nomad visas and similar programs in the UK, it would be best to familiarize yourself with the inner workings of their implementation and functionality.
These forms of visas are purpose-built to assist ‘digital nomads,’ who are typically self-employed and traveling abroad. They have the means to live in a country while working remotely.
More often than not, these potential employees come in the form of contractors, part-timers, and freelancers who work for an overseas employer and work remotely
Requirements for nomad visas (or similar applications) differ greatly from country to country, and there are basic signifiers that one can look out for.
Typical traits of a nomad visa are:
Length of Stay
Nomad visas commonly grant work durations that range from a few months to several years, depending on the country that is administering the vis itself
Work Permission
Nomad visas often authorize holders to engage in remote work or freelance activities but usually do not grant permission for local employment.
Eligibility
Certain nations have different requirements for eligibility, such as proof of income, status of health insurance, or requirements for a clean criminal record.
Application
Fees surrounding the application process can vary, and applicants may need to supply certain documents like proof of income or other personal information.
Fees
Nomad visas may come with fees that applicants must pay for staying and working in the country.
Taxes
Staying in a foreign country for an extended period of time can have tax implications that can impact the applicant, so it’s best to be aware of any tax requirements.
It's important to mention that nomad visas are subject to change over time when it comes to general availability. So, it's advisable to check with the embassy or consulate of the specific country you're interested in or consult sources (like an Employer of Record) for updates on policies surrounding nomad visas.
Steps Before Applying for a UK Digital Nomad Visa
Safety measures to take to make sure the application process for your UK visa is airtight can be pretty straightforward and can share a lot of similarities with other application processes surrounding other types of work visas.
Things to integrate before you start your application process can include incentives like,
Be Flexible
Take stock of what you have in terms of financial responsibilities, property responsibilities, and other binding aspects that keep you duty-bound to institutions in your country of origin. These can come in the form of longstanding loans, long-term leases, and other commitments that may keep you tied down.
Keep Hours Coming In
Passive income is crucial for the nomad application process in the UK, and odds are you may already be juggling another source of income as a freelancer or contractor. Keep this line of income on deck, as active sources of finances always look good on an application.
Be Safe
When working on a nomad visa, you will likely be operating in a foreign country while working in a remote setting. Even though you’ll be working in a non-office setting, you’ll still be far from home without access to your normal health coverage. Before applying for a nomad visa in the UK, it’s best to be protected by any form of traveler’s insurance you can get your hands on.
Buddy Up
Before taking the plunge into the visa application process to engage in remote work in the UK, it's best to get to know other nomad workers. Digital nomad communities are out there; Joining one can help you better understand the nomad workforce, its benefits and complications, and the application process overall.
The UK’s Nomad Visa Policy
While this may come as a surprise, nomad visas are not typically offered in the UK. Instead, other applications are seeing a rise in implementation when it comes to remote work in the UK.
The reason nomad visas are denied is the United Kingdom’s desire to maintain a centralized workforce and tighten immigration standards. However, this does not mean that the UK is strictly against implementing international workers who have employment overseas or ties to an overseas company in a remote environment.
The International Agreement visa, or temporary work visa, is a work application process that will allow a worker temporary employment within the UK as a remote worker or on-site employee. However, there are still a lot of differences between this policy and a traditional nomad visa.
Sponsorship
If you plan on utilizing this form of employment strategy, the key thing you will acquire is sponsorship from a UK company. This sponsorship implicates the collection of documentation and continued correspondence between a foreign worker and the potential employer.
This relationship and its establishment will guarantee a legal relationship that will allow a foreign worker to reside in the country without penalty.
Steps surrounding sponsorship include:
Initial Offer
The sponsorship process starts with a job offer from an employer to a potential foreign employee. When initiated, the prospective employer must demonstrate that a suitable local candidate cannot fill the job as a result, they need to hire an expert foreign worker.
Authorization
After the job offer is accepted, the employer initiates the process of obtaining the necessary work authorization or visa for the foreign worker. This may require filing petitions, providing documentation, and complying with specific immigration regulations. In this case, the standards are set by the International Agreement visa.
Responsibilities
Both the employer and the sponsored UK employees have responsibilities over the course of the sponsorship process. Employers must demonstrate that they are providing fair wages and working conditions employees must abide by the terms set by the visa and the laws of the host country.
Compliance
In many cases, employer-sponsored visas have expiration dates. They require renewal if the employee plans on making successive visits or plans to live in the UK for an extended period of time. Employers are responsible for ensuring that employees maintain their legal status, and employees must comply with the terms of their visas.
Application Window
The time period that comes after sponsorship is the application eligibility window, which is generally a 3-month period when it comes to an International Agreement visa. The end date of this window will be shown on the documentation you receive after you have been approved for sponsorship.
To make sure this application is unimpeded, there are some basic forms of documentation you must provide, which include:
- Certificate of Sponsorship
- Valid Passport
- Valid Bank Statement
- Proof of Relationship (if bringing on a secondary applicant)
- Additional Medical Documentation (if required)
- Professional Certification Documentation (if required)
It is also crucial to note that no two applications are the same.Depending on the job you're applying for and the region you are coming from, there may be additional documentation that is required.
The general wait for confirmation on your application is three weeks if you reside outside of the UK. It’s important to note that the general fee for the International Agreement visa is £259. This applies to applicants both inside and outside of the UK.
Duration of International Agreement Visa
Unlike the window of time displayed by the previously mentioned nomad visas, the International Agreement visa operates on a different timeframe. The duration of a nomadic worker under this agreement is contingent on the kind of work you are doing in the UK.
If you are a worker from overseas working for a government institution or a worker employed on behalf of an international organization, your general stay can be within a two-year window. However, it is crucial to note that if your work concludes or your contract ends earlier than anticipated, you may be asked to leave the UK within 60 days.
Approved and Disapproved Activities
While operating in the UK on an International Agreement visa, several activities approved applicants can engage in. Active post-secondary study is allowed. However, you may have to be authorized for a secondary academic visa beforehand.
Additionally, permitted secondary lines of income are available to workers operating on the International Agreement visa. As previously mentioned, approved secondary applicants like spouses or children are also permitted.
There are a few outliers when it comes to what isn’t permitted while operating under the parameters set by the International Agreement visa. Primarily, you cannot access public funds distributed by the UK government and cannot engage in any sort of work until the visa is approved.
Application Requirements
When it comes to application requirements, those who reside outside of the UK will have to jump through some extra hoops. Showing up in person at a visa application center to have your ID confirmed is always a safe bet. This process can include document review and fingerprint scanning to supply you with a biometric residence permit.
This procedure may also apply to potential dependents, such as spouses or children, who may accompany you on your visa application.
Additional UK Visas
While the options for digital nomads looking to work in the UK may seem limited, there is still a huge variety of applications available for international workers who wish to engage in UK-based work. The UK provides various visas to accommodate different purposes of travel and work.
While the International Agreement Visa may seem the best choice on paper if you plan to work remotely in the UK, other applications may work for you. Here is a list of
Standard Visitor Visa
This tourist visa is ideal for business travelers and those visiting family and friends in the UK who wish to stay for an extended period of time. Those who engage in this form of visitor visa holders need to apply 3 months prior to the visitation date.
Marriage Visitor Visa
For individuals who are planning to marry in the UK, this visitor visa is ideal for those planning to tie the knot in the British Isles. It is important to remember that this application runs on standards similar to normal tourist visas.
Skilled Worker Visa
For experienced workers who are sponsored by a UK employer who is interested in hiring global talent. This general visa can be implemented for both in-person and remote workers.
Specialist Worker Visa
This visa is best for employees transferred to a UK branch of a multinational company or global talent organization. Correspondence from the organization facilitating this transfer is crucial for a successful application.
Government Authorized Exchange Worker Visa
A visa is built for temporary workers who operate in numerous fields. This can include creative and sporting, charity workers, and workers in religious institutions. Like similar worker visas, up-to-date employer information is crucial for a successful application.
Student Visa
For international students studying at a UK educational institution or facility, this application is the easiest way to study internationally. This visa also has a secondary application for parents or legal guardians of a child studying under student visa applications.
Short-term Study Visa
For short courses and English language courses within the borders of the United Kingdom. This application is available for those looking to engage in a UK educational facility as a short-term language student.
Child Student Visa
For children aged 4 to 17 who want to attend an independent school in the UK. Parents of these children must provide documentation that includes the desired institution of study.They must also have a suitable income to afford the education program.
Family of a Settled Person Visa
For family members of UK residents or British citizens, this form of visitor visa is ideal for those visiting residents in the UK. Visitor visa holders under this category must be able to provide up-to-date information on the family member who actively resides in the UK.
UK Ancestry Visa
For citizens of the British Commonwealth with a grandparent born in the UK, if you desire to work and live in the UK in-person or remotely, this visa is an ideal choice and can last up to 5 years.
Innovator Founder Visa
This visa is the ideal choice for the creative business operator. This visa is only applicable if you are looking to start an enterprise that is nothing like anything active on the UK market.
Representative of an Overseas Business Visa
For employees of an overseas company opening a UK branch or subsidiary. These visas are ideal for those overseeing operations to work alongside UK-based employees. This visa’s standard length is 3 years but can be extended to 5.
Global Talent Visa
This specialized visa is built for individuals who excel in areas surrounding academia, arts and culture, and digital technology. It’s important to note that this visa requires a sponsorship/endorsement.
How an Employer of Record (EOR) Can Help
While nomad visas may be a non-option for potential remote work in the UK, the International Agreement visa is the next best thing for an employer looking to bring on an international remote workforce.
Despite the mentioned differences between nomad visas and the UK’s own approach to remote work regulation, the United Kingdom still holds its spot as the remote work capital of Europe.
If you are an employer looking to bring on remote talent, there has never been a better time to start looking into the hidden potential of global talent.
However, managing the applications to acquire this talent may be a big task to take on your own. That’s why if you are ever faced with any questions about what substitutions are available for UK-based visas, Borderless is here to help.
Whether you are an employer looking to hire out-of-country talent in the form of a freelancer or contractor or are looking to join the fast-growing industry powerhouses of the United Kingdom. Borderless has a dynamic team of experts who can answer any questions you may have about the legal requirements that surround the hiring process in the United Kingdom.
As an expert Employer of Record, our team can help UK-based enterprises navigate remote working standards.
Work With Borderless in the UK
While remote work in the UK may not be as streamlined as in other nations, it has certainly not dissuaded the nation from becoming the destination for remote work. Whether this is due to the appeal of the big city living of London, the sea breeze in Brighton or even the quaint cafè living of Bristol, workers are constantly finding reasons to stay in the UK.
As your Employer of Record, Borderless can help your business navigate the visa process while also handling your HR and payroll requirements for remote workers.
Borderless is no stranger to operations in the UK, and we can help you further understand topics surrounding the standard UK hiring process, hiring costs, and how to implement an Employer of Record if you so desire.
Borderless functions more than just as a standard Employer of Record service. It’s a global information conduit for international employers. So if you are a UK-based organization looking to navigate UK remote working visas or third-party administrative extensions, talk to us today!
