March 12, 2024
A new career journey in Scotland is like stepping into a land of opportunities, where warmth and hospitality await. With 388,000 non-UK residents already thriving in the country, accounting for 7.2% of the population, and 222,000 securing employment (8.3% of the workforce), Scotland offers you a chance to be a part of this dynamic workforce. It’s a place that offers an incredible work-life balance, generous holidays, and plenty of job opportunities.
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Scotland Visa Essentials:
If are looking to work in Scotland and you’re from somewhere other than the EU, the first big step is getting the right visa.
- General Work Visa: If you’re from outside the EU and get a skilled job from an approved sponsor, you can stay in Scotland for up to 5 years and 14 days. You can even do voluntary work and study while here. But it’s tough to get because the company must prove they couldn’t find someone from 28 European countries.
- Health and Care Visa: This one’s for people with job offers from the National Health Service (NHS). You can stay for 5 years and 14 days and bring your family. Jobs include doctors, nurses, health pros, and adult social care specialists.
- Intra-Company Transfer Visa: If you’ve worked for a company for more than a year and get a salary of at least £73,900, you can apply. Depending on your salary, the visa can last for 9 years or 5 years and 1 month.
- Charity Worker Visa: For those doing unpaid voluntary work, this short-term visa costs £244 and lets you stay for up to 12 months.
- Creative and Sporting Visa: Creative pros like musicians or artists can stay for up to 12 months with this visa.
- Seasonal Worker Visa: If you have a sponsor, you can work and stay in Scotland for 6 months. But remember, it’s not for permanent jobs, and family members can’t come along.
- Start-up Visa: If you dream of starting a business in Scotland or the UK, this visa gives you 2 years. Just show that a UK university or business group supports your new and unique business idea. You can’t extend this visa, so make those entrepreneurial dreams happen within those 2 years.
NIN and Bank:
Getting into work in Scotland, make sure you have your Essential Numbers in order.
- National Insurance Number (NIN): This is a must-have for working legally. To get one, call the National Insurance Number application line. Keep in mind, that you’ll need a UK address, so sort out your living situation first. You can start working without the NIN as long as you’ve applied and informed your employer. Non-EU citizens should secure a visa before starting work.
- Open a Bank Account: To receive your hard-earned salary, open a bank account. Choose from options like Natwest, Barclays, Lloyds, or RBS. The process usually requires presenting your ID and proof of address. If you’ve got a visa and a leasing agreement for your apartment, you’re good to go.
Qualifications and Language:
Ensure you’ve covered these crucial aspects:
- Qualifications Assessment: The National Academic Recognition Information Center for the UK (NARIC) will help you compare your qualifications with UK academic standards. Head to the UK NARIC website to apply online and provide the necessary details. Remember, fees depend on the application type.
- Language Proficiency: For most visas, there are strict English language requirements. You can demonstrate proficiency through an approved English language test or recognized academic qualifications. However, citizens of certain countries, including the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, St Lucia, Dominicana, and a few others, are excluded from proving English proficiency.
