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I am a US citizen and I have the opportunity to work for a company that is based out of the UK, but performs most of its business globally and on-site. Most of my contract work for them will be performed in the US, but may also occur in other countries. I will not be moving to the UK and the likelihood of me actually performing work for them in the UK would be extremely rare.
Do I need a special work permit or visa in order to perform work for this company as a freelancer?
A company can contract another company to provide services from anywhere in the world so I can't see why you'd need a work permit to perform freelancing services remotely.
If you physically travel to the UK to perform your duties then you probably will need a work permit.
Official government guidelines here: https://www.gov.uk/visas-immigration
(usual disclaimers apply - IANAL, the internet is no substitute for professional advice, etc, etc...)
If you're working outside the UK, you do not need a UK work visa.
Visas are for those physically entering the UK — should you to travel to the UK you can find a definitive answer on the UK government's website: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
For example for visits of less than 6 months you may not need one: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/usa/work/six_months_or_less
Typically in this situation you will invoice the company you're working for and they will pay you as a contractor (they may ask about VAT, which as a non-EU business you do not charge), you will then be liable for the relevant state and federal taxes in the US in the same way you would for any other revenue.
I am not a lawyer or tax professional and you should certainly consult one with experience in your jurisdiction to ensure you're correctly setup to pay US taxes.
