Want to work in the UK but don’t have a university degree? Good news—you can still get a UK work visa without a degree. The UK needs workers in many industries, and they care more about your skills and experience than your education level.
This guide shows you exactly how to get a UK work visa without a degree, which visa types to apply for, what jobs are available, and how to start your application today.
Why the UK Hires Workers Without Degrees
The UK has a worker shortage. Many industries can’t find enough local people to fill jobs. The government now focuses on:
- Your work skills and experience
- Your willingness to learn
- Industry certifications and training
- Not just university degrees
Industries that need workers:
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Hospitality
- Logistics and transport
- Agriculture
Thousands of UK employers sponsor work visas for reliable workers—even those without degrees.
Best UK Work Visas Without a Degree
1. Skilled Worker Visa
This is the most popular visa for people without degrees. It lets you work for approved UK employers in jobs that don’t require university education.
Jobs You Can Do:
- Chefs and cooks
- Construction workers and welders
- Warehouse workers and drivers
- Healthcare assistants
- IT support technicians
- Factory supervisors
What You Need:
- Job offer from a licensed UK sponsor
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer
- English language test (IELTS or equivalent)
- Minimum salary of £26,200 per year (amount varies by job)
- Clean criminal record
Duration: Up to 5 years, then you can renew or apply for permanent residence
Cost: £625-£1,423 visa fee (depends on length of stay)
2. Health and Care Worker Visa
Perfect if you want to work in healthcare or elderly care. You don’t need a degree—just experience or certification in caregiving.
Jobs Available:
- Nursing assistants
- Senior care workers
- Home health aides
- Support workers in hospitals or care homes
- Personal care assistants
Special Benefits:
- Faster visa processing
- Lower visa fees than Skilled Worker Visa
- Free or cheap accommodation (some employers)
- Can lead to permanent residence after 5 years
- No healthcare surcharge for NHS workers
What You Need:
- Job offer from NHS or registered care provider
- Basic English skills
- Care certificate or relevant training
- Clean criminal background
Duration: 5 years (renewable)
Cost: £284-£551 visa fee (much cheaper than other visas)
3. Seasonal Worker Visa
Good for short-term work in farming, food processing, or hospitality. Great if you want to try working in the UK first.
Jobs Available:
- Farm workers and fruit pickers
- Food factory workers
- Packaging and sorting staff
- Cleaning staff
- Kitchen helpers
Benefits:
- No degree needed
- Some employers provide free housing
- Good way to gain UK work experience
- Easy to apply
Duration: Up to 6 months
Limitation: Cannot extend to permanent visa
4. Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
If you’re between 18-30 years old from certain countries, this visa lets you live and work in the UK for 2 years.
Eligible Countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Monaco
- Hong Kong
- South Korea
- Taiwan
Benefits:
- Work for any employer
- No job offer needed before applying
- Switch jobs anytime
- Gain UK experience
- Can apply for skilled jobs later
Duration: 2 years
Cost: £259 visa fee
5. Temporary Worker Visa
For short-term work in charity, creative, or religious organizations.
Types:
- Charity Worker route
- Creative Worker route (artists, entertainers)
- Religious Worker route
- Government Authorized Exchange
Duration: Usually 12-24 months
Best for: Volunteers, artists, or religious workers
What Documents Do You Need?
Prepare these documents before applying for a UK work visa without a degree:
Required Documents:
- Valid Passport – Must be valid for your entire stay
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) – Your employer provides this reference number
- English Test Results – IELTS, PTE, or approved equivalent (usually need B1 level)
- Proof of Savings – Bank statement showing at least £1,270 in your account
- TB Test Certificate – Required from some countries
- Job Offer Letter – From your UK employer showing salary and job details
- Police Certificate – Proving clean criminal record
- Passport Photos – Recent photos meeting UK requirements
Pro Tip: Keep digital copies of everything. Missing documents cause the most delays.
High-Demand Jobs Without Degree Requirements
Here are industries actively hiring workers without degrees:
Construction Jobs:
- General laborer
- Painter
- Scaffolder
- Bricklayer
- Electrician helper
- Pay: £22,000 – £32,000 per year
Healthcare Jobs:
- Care assistant
- Support worker
- Home health aide
- Mental health support worker
- Pay: £23,000 – £30,000 per year
Manufacturing Jobs:
- Factory worker
- Machine operator
- Packer
- Assembly line worker
- Quality control assistant
- Pay: £22,000 – £28,000 per year
Hospitality Jobs:
- Kitchen assistant
- Cleaner
- Server
- Hotel porter
- Restaurant cook
- Pay: £21,000 – £27,000 per year
Logistics and Transport:
- Warehouse operative
- Delivery driver
- Forklift operator
- Courier
- Stock controller
- Pay: £24,000 – £35,000 per year
Many of these employers provide visa sponsorship and help with accommodation.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
Step 1: Find Licensed Employers
UK employers must have a sponsor license to hire foreign workers.
Where to Search:
- GOV.UK official sponsor list
- Indeed UK (filter by “visa sponsorship”)
- LinkedIn Jobs
- Glassdoor UK
- Reed.co.uk
- Totaljobs.com
Search Tips:
- Use keywords like “visa sponsorship available”
- Look for “no degree required” or “experience preferred”
- Contact employers directly to ask about sponsorship
Step 2: Apply for Jobs
Send your resume to multiple employers. Explain:
- Your relevant work experience
- Why you want to work in the UK
- Your English language skills
- That you need visa sponsorship
Step 3: Get Job Offer and Certificate of Sponsorship
When an employer wants to hire you, they will:
- Send you a formal job offer letter
- Apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship on your behalf
- Give you a CoS reference number (needed for visa application)
Step 4: Complete Online Visa Application
Go to the official UK Visa and Immigration website:
- Fill out the online application form
- Pay the visa fee
- Upload all required documents
- Schedule biometrics appointment
Step 5: Attend Biometrics Appointment
Visit your nearest visa application center to:
- Give fingerprints
- Take photo
- Submit physical documents (if required)
Step 6: Wait for Decision
Processing time is usually:
- Standard: 3 weeks
- Priority: 5 working days (extra fee)
- Super Priority: 24 hours (extra fee, not available everywhere)
Step 7: Travel to UK
Once approved:
- You’ll receive your visa vignette (sticker in passport)
- Travel to UK within 30 days
- Pick up your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) after arrival
- Start your job!
Real Success Story
Carlos from Philippines worked as a construction helper in Manila. He had no university degree, but 5 years of work experience.
He applied online for a general laborer position with a construction company in Manchester. The company sponsored his Skilled Worker Visa.
His Journey:
- Applied to 15 jobs in 2 months
- Got job offer from 3rd employer
- Received Certificate of Sponsorship
- Applied for visa and got approved in 4 weeks
- Moved to UK with his wife (dependent visa)
- Now earns £28,000 per year with free training
- Plans to apply for permanent residence in 2028
Carlos proves that determination and work experience matter more than a degree.
Cost Breakdown
Visa Application Fees:
- Skilled Worker Visa: £625-£1,423
- Health and Care Visa: £284-£551
- Youth Mobility Visa: £259
- Seasonal Worker Visa: £259
Additional Costs:
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £624 per year
- English test: £150-£200
- TB test: £50-£100
- Priority processing: £500-£1,000 (optional)
- Biometrics: Usually included
Total Budget: Plan for £1,500-£3,000 for the entire process
Can You Bring Your Family?
Yes! If you get a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Visa, you can apply for dependent visas for:
- Your spouse or partner
- Children under 18
Cost: Same visa fees apply per person
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I really work in the UK without a degree? A: Yes! Many UK jobs value experience and skills over university degrees.
Q: Which visa is easiest to get without a degree? A: The Health and Care Worker Visa is popular because healthcare has huge demand and lower fees.
Q: Do I need perfect English? A: No, but you need basic English (B1 level on IELTS—about 4.0 overall score).
Q: How long does the process take? A: From job application to arrival: usually 2-4 months.
Q: Can this lead to permanent residence? A: Yes! After 5 years on a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residence).
Q: What if no one sponsors me? A: Keep applying. Focus on industries with worker shortages like healthcare, construction, and hospitality.
Tips to Increase Your Chances
- Get Certifications – Short courses in your field show you’re serious (forklift license, first aid, care certificate)
- Improve Your English – Better English = more job opportunities
- Apply to Many Jobs – Don’t rely on just one application
- Target Shortage Industries – Healthcare and construction sponsor most visas
- Be Professional – Well-written emails and clean resumes matter
- Be Patient – The process takes time, but it’s worth it
- Check Employer License – Verify employers on the GOV.UK sponsor list
Start Your UK Journey Today
Getting a UK work visa without a degree is completely possible. The UK needs hardworking, skilled people in many industries. Your experience, dedication, and willingness to learn matter more than a university degree.
Whether you want to work in healthcare, construction, hospitality, or manufacturing, there’s a visa route for you.
Ready to begin? Start searching for jobs today, prepare your documents, and take the first step toward your UK work visa without a degree.
Your UK career is waiting—no degree required, just determination!