How to get a job in the UK from India 2025: (6 easy steps)

Expat life

15 Feb 2024

16 mins read

Written by Pranit Lad

This article covers:

Key takeaways

The UK remains a top destination for Indian professionals due to strong demand, competitive salaries and quality of life.
A UK-style ATS-friendly CV, tailored applications and active networking greatly improve hiring chances.
Sectors such as IT, healthcare, engineering and finance offer the most opportunities for Indian candidates.
Most roles require a Certificate of Sponsorship and a valid Skilled Worker visa.
The average timeline to secure a UK job from India is 3–6 months, including visa processing.
Applying only through verified job portals and licensed sponsors reduces risks and delays.

As one of the strongest economies in the world, the United Kingdom shines bright as an attractive destination among Indian job seekers. From numerous job opportunities and impressive salary ranges to a great work-life balance and a higher standard of living, there are endless benefits of working and living in the UK.

If you also dream of working abroad, then the UK is a perfect destination for you. Keep reading to learn how to get a job in the UK from India.

Quick read section

How to get a job in the UK from India

Step 1: Research employment options.
Step 2: Next, create or update your resume and cover letter.
Step 3: Build a professional network.
Step 4: Apply online.
Step 5: Appear for job interviews.
Step 6: Get a work visa.

Do you know?

The UK has an impressive employment rate of 75.9%. It has grown steadily in the last few years. [1]
In the last three months of 2023, the average growth in earnings was recorded to be 6.6%. [2]
During the last quarter of 2023, the estimated job vacancies reached 934,000. Although there is a slight dip, the number of vacancies is still above the pre-pandemic level. [3]

How to get a job in the UK from India – 6 easy steps

Step 1: Research the UK job market

Understanding the UK job market is the foundation of a successful overseas job search. Each country has a unique employment landscape, and the UK is no exception.

High-demand industries in the UK include healthcare, IT, finance, education and engineering. Standard working hours usually range between 38 and 40 hours per week, with generous paid leave policies and employee benefits.

You can explore opportunities through UK job websites, official government portals and company career pages to identify roles aligned with your skills and experience.

Step 2: Create an ATS-friendly resume

An impactful CV tailored to the UK job market significantly improves your chances of getting shortlisted. Most UK employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter applications.

To optimise your resume:

Match your skills and experience with the job description
Use relevant keywords naturally
Follow a clean, professional UK CV format

Using an ATS-friendly resume template from a trusted source can help ensure your application passes automated screenings.

Step 3: Build a Professional Network

Networking plays a crucial role in securing jobs abroad. A strong professional network can help you gain referrals, insights into the hiring process and access to unadvertised roles.

Key networking strategies include:

Creating a strong LinkedIn profile
Connecting with UK-based professionals and recruiters
Registering on UK job portals and government job banks
Partnering with reputable UK recruitment agencies

An active online presence increases your visibility and credibility among UK employers.

Step 4: Apply for Jobs

When you start applying, focus on volume with intention. Instead of limiting yourself to just a handful of applications, aim to apply for multiple roles that genuinely match your skills and experience. Casting a wider net increases your chances of hearing back.

You can find suitable opportunities through several reliable channels, including:

Popular UK job portals
Company career pages on official websites
LinkedIn job listings and recruiter posts

For each application, take the time to customise your CV and cover letter. Highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the specific role and use keywords from the job description where appropriate. This small effort can significantly improve your response rate.

Step 5: Appear for job interviews

Most UK employers conduct remote interviews for overseas candidates. Once you start receiving interview invitations:

Research common UK interview questions
Understand the company culture and role expectations
Practise mock interviews with friends or mentors

Proper preparation boosts confidence and improves your chances of receiving a job offer.

Step 6: Initiate the visa process

After securing a job offer, the final step is initiating the UK visa process. In most cases, your employer will provide a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Once issued, you can apply for the appropriate work visa and complete immigration formalities before relocating to the UK.

Also Read: 10 highest paying part-time jobs for students in the UK

Best job opportunities in the UK for Indian candidates

The United Kingdom offers impressive opportunities to foreign job seekers. The following are the top five industries in the UK job market:

Software development and IT

The UK is known for its thriving IT industry. Skills like web development, data analysis, software programming, cyber security, etc., are in higher demand.

Average salary: £58,000 per year

Finance & accounting

The banking, investment and insurance industry of the UK is highly developed, and jobs are in demand. The country is in constant need of highly skilled professionals for risk management, auditing, accounting, etc.

Average salary: £45,000 per year

Engineering

Engineering services are one of the most attractive employment opportunities for Indian job seekers. The fields that are growing rapidly include chemical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering and electrical engineering.

Average salary: £42,000 per year

Healthcare

Healthcare is a booming industry, not just in the UK but worldwide. The demand for experienced and skilled healthcare professionals remains constant here.

Average salary: £33,000 per year

Hospitality

The UK is a popular tourist destination and attracts huge flocks of visitors from all across the world, all year round. This, in turn, keeps the hospitality industry booming with endless opportunities. Sectors such as travel agencies, hotel management, customer service and event management are attractive options for Indians.

Average salary: £21,000 per year

Eligibility requirements and qualifications to work in the UK

Before applying for jobs in the UK, it’s important to understand the basic eligibility requirements. Employers assess candidates based on their educational background, professional skills and relevant work experience to determine whether they are a good fit for a specific role.

Qualifications

Different UK job opportunities require different levels of education, skills and experience. Thus, your qualifications should match the requirements of the job profile you are applying for.

In most cases, a bachelor’s degree, along with some relevant skills, is sufficient for getting a job in your field.

Offer letter

A UK offer letter is a primary requirement for obtaining a work visa in most cases. So, those who want to work in the United Kingdom must apply for jobs, receive an offer letter, and then apply for a work visa.

Work permit

You can not work in the UK unless and until you have a valid work visa or permit. There are multiple categories of work visas you can choose to increase your chances of getting a high-paying job in the country. Check out the later section to learn about the types of UK work permits.

English proficiency

In some cases, you might also be required to prove your English language proficiency by taking exams like IELTS. This is to make sure that you are capable of settling in the environment of the UK. Apart from IELTS, there are many other exams you can take to prove your English proficiency.

Health requirements

You also need to meet certain health requirements to obtain a work visa for the UK. Check out the other requirements on the official website of the UK Immigration Department.

Also Read: Best countries to migrate from India

Work permits and immigration processes

To work legally in the UK, overseas candidates must meet specific work permit and immigration requirements.

Type of UK work permits

Skilled Worker visa (Tier-2 Visa)

This visa is issued to candidates who have a valid job offer and sponsorship certificate from a UK-based employer. It is a common visa choice for most foreign workers in the UK. Note that the Tier-2 visa may have minimum salary requirements depending on your qualifications and skills.

Specialist or Senior Work visa

This type of visa is mostly used for intra-company transfers. In simple words, if you are transferred to the UK office of your current company, then you need to obtain this type of visa.

Temporary Work visa (Tier-5 Visa)

If you want to work in a non-profit, creative, or sports organisation, then you can obtain this visa. It may also require a certificate of sponsorship from the UK employer.

Immigration process for the UK

The immigration process for the UK is not as hard as it sounds. It follows a simple approach as follows:

Select the right visa type.
Check your eligibility criteria.
Research and meet visa requirements.
Apply for a visa online or at the Embassy/Consulate/Visa Application Centre.
Submit all the required documents.
Pay the visa application fees.
Attend a visa interview.
Get your visa stamped.

How long does it take to get a job in the UK from India?

The time required to secure a job in the UK from India can vary based on your industry, experience level and how prepared you are before starting your job search.

While there is no fixed timeline, most candidates follow a similar progression from research to visa approval.

Job research and CV optimisation (1–3 weeks)

This initial stage involves researching suitable roles, understanding UK job requirements and tailoring your CV to match UK hiring standards. Investing time here helps improve application success and reduces delays later in the process.

Active job applications (1–4 months)

Once you begin applying, timelines depend on the number of roles you apply for and the demand in your field. Candidates in high-demand sectors such as IT, healthcare and engineering often move faster, while competitive industries may take longer.

Interview rounds and offer letter (2–8 weeks)

Most UK employers conduct remote interviews for overseas candidates. This stage may include multiple interview rounds, skills assessments and background checks before a final offer is issued.

Visa processing (3–8 weeks)

After receiving a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship, you can apply for your UK work visa. Processing times vary depending on the visa type, application volume and how quickly documents are submitted.

UK workplace culture

The UK job industry can provide you with a fulfilling and exciting life. Coming to the workplace culture, most companies here work hierarchically. It means a majority of business-related decisions are made by senior authorities such as managers.

Most companies here treat their employees in a fair and equal way. They provide plenty of growth opportunities and encourage the workers to strengthen their professional skills.

Below are some other perks of working in the UK:

Most companies offer flexible working hours. You can even opt for work-from-home jobs in the UK from India.
As an employee, you are entitled to get 20-25 paid leaves every year for your activities.
Maternity and paternity leave policies in the UK are also quite generous. It means you get plenty of time to bond with your newborn.
Most employees in the country also get access to the National Health Service, which offers necessary healthcare coverage.
Pension plans are also provided by the companies to help their employees build the necessary retirement funds.

Also Read: Top 8 reasons to study in the UK

Dos & Don’ts

Do’s

Create a customised CV for each job.
Consider upskilling yourself by taking relevant certification courses.
Have a strong professional network to increase your chances of getting hired.
Research your target industry well before applying for jobs.
Follow a targeted approach.

Don’ts

Don’t send a generic resume or application while applying.
Don’t ignore your LinkedIn profile.
Don’t apply for a visa in a hurry.
Don’t trust random recruitment agencies.
Don’t give up until you successfully get a job.

Popular UK job portals for Indian applicants

When applying for jobs in the UK from India, most successful overseas candidates use a combination of government-backed and private job portals.

Registering on multiple platforms helps you access a wider range of opportunities and increases your chances of being noticed by employers.

GOV.UK Find a Job – The official UK government job board, offering a wide range of vacancies across industries.
Indeed UK – One of the largest and most widely used job search engines in the UK, featuring listings from employers and recruitment agencies.
LinkedIn Jobs – Ideal for professional networking, direct employer outreach, and recruiter-led job opportunities.
Glassdoor UK – Useful for exploring job openings while gaining insights into company culture, salaries, and interview experiences.
Reed.co.uk – A popular UK job portal used by recruiters across various industries, with tools for CV uploads and job alerts.

Using multiple job portals improves visibility, helps you find more relevant roles and increases overall application success rates.

Before you go…

Many job seekers from every nook and corner of the world dream of working and settling in the United Kingdom for various reasons. Besides offering global exposure and excellent growth opportunities, UK job opportunities offer competitive average salaries to professionals.

If you are also looking for the answer to the most anticipated question, ‘Can I get a job in the UK from India?’ Follow the approach mentioned in the above blog.

In addition, whenever you need to transfer funds from India to the UK or vice versa, make sure to use a reliable money transfer service provider like Instarem. Named among one of the most trusted and reliable fund transfer services in the country, Instarem offers fast** and secure fund transfers at affordable# rates. You can use our services to transfer money to 60+ countries worldwide.

Also Read: Moving to UK? 5 challenges to conquer during your adventure

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FAQs on how to get a job in the UK from India

What is the best way to apply for jobs in the UK from India?

The best way to apply for jobs in the UK from India is to follow a highly targeted approach. It involves researching the job landscape, creating a customised resume, applying for jobs via online job portals and UK job websites, applying for a visa/work permit, and so on.

How to find jobs in the UK from India?

There are plenty of job platforms and official job banks that post hundreds of job opportunities for foreign candidates. You can register yourself on these sites to increase your chances of getting hired.

Is it possible to get a job in the UK from India?

Yes. It is possible to get a job in the UK from India. By following the right approach and meeting the specified job requirements, you can gain a desired working opportunity that aligns with your career goals.

Which job is best for an Indian in the UK?

Jobs in sectors like IT, engineering, healthcare, and finance are highly sought-after for Indians.

Does the UK need IELTS for a job?

Most employers and work visas require English language proficiency from the applicants. You can either take IELTS or some other English proficiency test to prove your ability to read, write, speak, and understand English. However, there can be certain exemptions depending on your job profile. Check out the job description carefully for accurate information on language proficiency requirements.

Can I directly apply for a job in the UK?

Yes. You can apply directly on the official websites of the companies. When doing so, ensure that you have a high-quality resume tailored specifically to meet the job requirements.

How to get a job offer in the UK from India without PR?

You can apply for jobs on online platforms/job sites/LinkedIn and get a certificate of sponsorship from your UK-based employer. Once you complete the residency requirements, you will be eligible for a PR status.

How much can an international student earn in the UK?

International students in the UK can only indulge in part-time work for limited hours (usually 20-24 hours) within a week. Considering the lowest hourly wage of £10.43 per hour, an international student can manage to earn around £5000 to £6000 per month by working 20 hours each week.

What is the age limit for working in the UK?

There is no particular age limit for working in the United Kingdom. It can vary based on the specific industry, type of job, skills, and qualifications of the applicants.

Can I work for a UK company from India?

You can only work for a UK company from India if they offer a remote working policy. In most cases, it is possible for a temporary period. Thus, if you are looking for permanent work, then consider getting a suitable work visa.

Disclaimer:

This article is intended for informational purposes only. All details are accurate at the time of publishing. Instarem has no affiliation or relationship with products or vendors mentioned.

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