Moving to UK as dependent on Tier 2 Work visa. Can I work remotely for US co.?

My wife and I will be moving to the UK in the comings months. She will be getting a Tier 2 work visa and I will be a dependent.

My current employer is willing to allow me to keep my job and work remotely while living in the UK. My company does NOT have any presence in the UK.

Is this allowed? How would it work?

I've seen some similar examples stating that I would need to be an 1099 independent contractor in order to do this.

Any help is greatly appreciated - thank you.

I'm not sure if the visa will allow you to work while in the UK, but assuming that you can the 1099 contractor is meaningless as that's US terminology. You will have to set yourself up as self employed in the UK if you want to do contract work.


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I understand that if I were a contractor, I would need to register as such with HMRC and pay the applicable taxes and such to the UK.

I'm mainly curious if I could remain on US Payroll as a "typical" W-2 employee for my current organization.

As you will be an employee your employer will need to provide you with a British employment contract, operate PAYE & offer you a pension plan at the employers staging date.  The employer would also be concerned about having a UK PE & have to address UK corporate tax filing.

I understand that if I were a contractor, I would need to register as such with HMRC and pay the applicable taxes and such to the UK.

I'm mainly curious if I could remain on US Payroll as a "typical" W-2 employee for my current organization.

Unless your US employer has a UK subsidiary that will be practically impossible as I can't see them jumping through all the hoops to directly employ you in the UK.

FYI, if you do go the self employed route make sure that you avoid paying US self employment taxes and just pay National Insurance.