Table Of Contents:
- UK Visa options for Freelancers
- Does someone need a visa to work in the UK remotely for a foreign UK employer
- Visa Options for Working Remotely in the UK
- Working remotely in the UK for an EU-based employer
- Let’s Summarise
Freelance and remote work have become standard practices across industries and the globe. Many countries in the world now offer a digital nomad visa. Normally, a digital nomad visa (also known as a ‘remote working’ visa) allows applicants to temporarily live in foreign countries while working remotely for their employer. The UK still does not have a digital nomad visa or any other specific visa category for freelancers and remote workers. However, it is possible to work as a freelancer in the UK or remotely in the UK for overseas employers.
UK Visa options for Freelancers
Freelancing, whether part-time or full-time, is a form of self-employment. Freelancing as a profession is normally contract-based. Instead of working for one organisation or company, freelancers provide their skills and services to different clients and take on various projects.
As of now, the UK does not offer any type of digital nomad visa. However, the government has been considering options to support freelancers and remote workers. Although the UK lacks a specific visa for freelancers, there are still alternative visa options that freelancers can explore.
1. Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder visa is for self-employed overseas nationals who want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK. You must receive an endorsement that your business idea is new, innovative, viable, and viable from an approved body (also known as ‘endorsing body’).
2. Global Talent Visa
The UK Global Talent visa is for a foreign national looking to work in the UK who is considered to be either a leader or a potential leader in the fields of digital technology, academia or research, or arts and culture.
Though this is not strictly a dedicated visa for self-employed individuals, it allows holders to work or be self-employed.
3. UK Graduate Visa
A UK Graduate visa gives an applicant permission to stay, work, or look for work in the UK for at least 2 years after completing an eligible course in the UK on a Student visa or Tier 5 student visa.
Graduate visa holders can work or be self-employed without having a prior job offer.
4. UK Skilled Worker Visa
You can work as a freelancer in the UK while on a Skilled Worker visa for up to 20 hours a week in another job (get a new CoS (certificate of sponsorship) from your second employer), or for your own business. Your second work must meet certain requirements.
Please note that freelancers or self-employed individuals often need to look after their own tax and NICs (National Insurance contributions).
Does someone need a visa to work in the UK remotely for a foreign UK employer?
There is no standard legal definition of remote working in UK law, but it is a term used generally to refer to individuals who work away from their normal employer’s workplace, including from a country outside of the UK. While there is a standard visitor visa, it is very restrictive in terms of the activities that can be undertaken.
In January 2024, the UK government updated its visitor visa immigration rules to allow visitors in the UK to engage in remote work for non-UK employers while in the country. However, the primary purpose of the visit to the UK must be any non-work-related activities, such as tourism, visiting family, or attending seminars or conferences. Engaging in work for UK-based companies or organisations or providing services to the UK public is still not permitted under a visitor visa.
Therefore, if your primary reason for being in the UK is to work remotely for an overseas employer, you would be required to apply for an appropriate work visa to ensure compliance with UK immigration laws. The UK does not currently have a specific digital nomad visa, so you may consider routes like the Skilled Worker visa depending on your circumstances.
The ability for someone to work remotely in the UK depends primarily on factors such as the worker’s visa status and employment arrangements.
Visa Options for Working Remotely in the UK
A UK visitor visa or ETA (applicable for visa nationals) permit is valid for only up to 6 months. Therefore, if you need to work remotely in the UK for more than 6 months, you will be required to explore other options, such as five visas under the umbrella of the Global Business Mobility route. These five visas (mentioned below) allow a person to work in the UK for their overseas employer.
Senior or Specialist Worker Visa–
This is a visa that allows a person to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job at their employer’s UK branch
Graduate Trainee Visa–
This visa allows an employee to come to or stay in the UK to work for their overseas employer in their UK branch.
Secondment Worker Visa–
A person who is being transferred to the UK by their overseas employer to do an eligible job for a different organization needs this visa.
Service Supplier Visa–
This visa allows a person with a contract to provide services for a UK company as an employee of an overseas company or a self-employed professional based overseas.
UK Expansion Worker Visa–
This visa allows a senior manager or specialist employee of an overseas company to come to the UK to set up a branch of their overseas business that has not started trading in the UK yet.
Working remotely in the UK for an EU-based employer
A person in the UK on a visitor visa or ETA permit may be able to work for a foreign company, including an EU-based employer, only for a short period. The Skilled Worker visa remains the main route for long-term employment-based immigration, but the Skilled Worker route requires job sponsorship from a UK employer, which is not applicable when working for an EU company. Other immigration routes, such as the Self-Sponsorship route or the GBM (Global Business Mobility) route, may be alternatives depending on individual circumstances.
If an individual working remotely in the UK for an EU company spends more than 183 days in the country within a tax year, they may be liable for income tax and National Insurance contributions, even if their earnings come from an EU-based employer.
On the other hand, if an individual is performing key business functions for an EU company from the UK, it might create tax liabilities for the EU company under UK corporate tax rules. Employers may also be required to comply with UK employment law, particularly those related to statutory benefits and rights.
Let’s Summarise
Though the UK does not offer a digital nomad visa or any specific visa for overseas freelancers or remote workers, it is still possible to be self-employed or work remotely from the UK for an overseas company.
You need to know the best visa option for you, depending on your requirements and eligibility. Make sure you choose an appropriate visa. If you are unsure about it, you should consult an immigration advisor.
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