
If you are a journalist or a media professional, there are several routes which may allow you to enter the UK. This will depend on various factors, such as the length of your visit, the kind of activities you will be performing in the UK, and whether your employer is based in the UK. The most popular visa options are briefly discussed in this blog.
Standard Visitor Visa (Business)
You can visit the UK on a business visit for up to 6 months for limited purposes, including attending conferences, getting work-related training that is unavailable in your country, giving talks in the UK, etc. If your overseas role as a journalist requires you to visit the UK for specific activities, such as gathering information for publication overseas, you may be permitted to enter the UK as a visitor. Whether you need a visit visa before entering the UK to complete these activities depends on your nationality, as citizens of some countries are exempt from obtaining a visit visa to enter the UK. For example, US and Canadian nationals are exempt from obtaining a visit visa to enter the UK as either a standard or business visitor. We recommend that you conduct initial checks before embarking on your journey to the UK so that you don’t encounter any issues.
Skilled Worker Visa/Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
If you intend to work as a journalist or as a media professional in the UK for a UK employer or for a UK branch of your overseas employer, you will need the relevant work visa before you can enter the UK. The relevant UK employer must provide you with a certificate of sponsorship with the information of your job role in the UK, and you must be paid the minimum salary required for your role. You must also meet other requirements specific to the visa category that is applicable to you, such as the English language requirement, and obtaining a Tuberculosis test certificate, etc. After five years of continuous residence in the UK as a Skilled Worker, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency. It is important to note that the Senior or Specialist Work visa route does not lead to settlement, therefore, the suitable visa category for you will also depend on your future plans.
You may be eligible for other visa routes as well, based on your unique circumstances. We therefore recommend that you seek relevant legal advice before planning your journey.
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The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson LLP accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson LLP. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson LLP.
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