A guide to Work Permits
Work permit information
1. What is a Work Permit?
A Work Permit authorises a UK employer to employ a non UK Citizen or a non-EU national to come to the UK for work related purposes. It is issued by the UK government and it is issued to the employer and not the individual.
2. What are the skills, qualifications and experience required to obtain a work permit?
A Work Permit is granted for a skilled position. A skilled position is a position that requires: 1) UK equivalent degree level qualification; or 2) Higher National Diploma (HND) level qualification which is relevant to the post on offer; or 3) HND level qualification, which is not relevant to the post on offer plus one year of relevant full time work experience at National/Scottish Vocational Qualification (N/SVQ) level 3 or above; or 4) 3 years full time experience of using specialist skills acquired through doing the type of job for which the permit is sought. This should be at N/SVQ level 3 or above.
3. How many types of applications are available under the Work Permit Scheme?
There are two different types of applications. The two types are Tier 1 Category application and Tier 2 Category application.
4. What vacancies qualify for a Tier 1 Category position?
A Tier 1 category position can be an Intra-Company Transfer, a Board Level Post, new posts essential for an inward project investment of at least £250,000, shortage occupations in the EEA and sponsored researchers. All other positions are Tier 2 Category positions.
5. Must the employer advertise the position?
Unless the position is a Tier 1 position, the position you intend to fill must be advertised in media readily available throughout Europe. The employer must demonstrate to Work Permits that an EEA national will not be displaced by employing someone outside the EEA.
6. What information should the advertisement contain?
It should state the following: the details of the post; location of the job; qualifications and experience needed; gross salary or salary range; closing date of the application and the employer's name and address
7. Does the prospective employee need to speak English?
Recent changes in the law require all prospective migrants to be proficient in English. Even if the person meets the academic or experience criteria, the permit will not be granted if the person is not proficient in English.
Although proficiency can be shown in a number of ways, the optimal way is by passing the IELTS exam at Band Level 6.
8. How long does it take to obtain the Work Permit?
The processing time depends on the complexity of the application. Generally speaking, assuming all the relevant documentation has been submitted, it takes Work Permits (UK) three to five working days to process the application.
After the issuance of the Work Permit, the document issuing the Work Permit will need to be sent to the person overseas. Upon receiving it, the employer will need to apply for entry clearance for himself or herself and any accompanying family members before travelling to the UK to begin employment.
If the prospective employee is in the UK, a Letter of Recommendation will be issued by Work Permits (UK) and not a Work Permit.
9. How long can I obtain the Work Permit be granted?
The visa can be granted for up to five years.
10. Can an individual with a Work Permit in the UK change the employer and continue working in the UK under the same existing Work Permit?
No. The Work Permit is issued to the employer and not the individual. Therefore, the new employer would need to get a Work Permit for the individual.
11. Can my family join me?
The family can join the Work Permit holder. The family can remain in the UK as long as the primary Work Permit holder is eligible to remain in the UK.
12. Can I apply for UK Citizenship if I have a Work Permit?
The Work Permit is a route to acquiring UK Citizenship. After five (5) years, the work permit holder is eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). After one year of having ILR status, the person can apply for UK citizenship.