UK Work Permits
Introduction
If you want to legally work in the UK (other than as a student or through the Working Holiday Maker scheme) then you will need a Work Permit. This is also a good way to gain permanent residency and ultimately citizenship in the UK.Introduction
A common misunderstanding regarding Work Permits is that the person who wants the job needs to apply for a Work Permit. It's actually the employer who must apply for the Work Permit! This means you need a job offer from a UK employer before a work permit can be applied for.Details on Work Permits
Work Permits are issued for many positions, including the Business, Sports and Entertainment sectors. Work Permits are divided into 2 categories, Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 are also known as Shortage Professions.
Work Permits can be issued for up to 5 years. A work permit ties an individual to a specific employer for a specific job. If you want to change employers then your new employer will need to apply for a new Work Permit. Once you have held Work Permit status for 4 years, you may then apply for Full Residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain). Once you have Full Residency, you may then work for whomever you wish. You can also be self-employed.
In order for an employer to stand a chance of being able to get a Work Permit, they will need to demonstrate that they have made every reasonable effort to employ someone else who is resident in the European Economic Area (EEA). They will need to provide evidence that they have advertised the job, and they will need to provide details of the candidates that came forward for the job, plus reasons as to why you are the only suitable candidate (different rules apply for shortage professions/Tier 1 applications).The candidate (the prospective employee) will also need to demonstrate that they have the recognised skills and experience in order to do the job.
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