Office Address

Global Immigration Solutions
Hiltongrove Business Centre
Hatherley Mews
London
E17 4QP
Telephone: 08707 602 641
Employers' Homepage

Training and Work Experience Scheme

Preventing illegal working

OUR SERVICES

Based on the internal guidance given to Home Office caseworkers and our thorough understanding and knowledge of the Immigration Rules and laws, our advice will help you to maximise the chances of your application being successful.

When you instruct us we will:
  • Meet with you at a time and place that suits you
  • Advise on the requirements to be met by both the employer and the potential employee
  • Advise on the evidence required, and check the evidence you provide to ensure it is appropriate and suitable
  • Complete and submit the application form, with detailed legal representations as necessary
  • Assist your employee with their immigration requirements
  • Liaise with the Home Office and Work Permits (UK) on your behalf
 

Work Permits

Who can apply?

Applications for work permits are made by the employer, and must be to employ a named person in a specific position. The UK Immigration Rules do not allow you to obtain a work permit for a particular job before you have identified a suitable employee, or to get a work permit for an individual and then find them a job when they get to the UK.

About the employer

Businesses that are established and trading in the UK, or about to become operational in the UK, may apply for work permits.

On an employer's first work permit application, Work Permits (UK) will require evidence that the organisation is a bona fide UK business, and that the vacancy it wishes to fill is genuine.

About the employee

Work permits will normally only be issued for people who have the skills, qualifications and experience to enable them to do the job on offer. Generally speaking, Work Permits (UK) will not issue work permits for jobs below NVQ Level 3, and will look for either a degree level qualification, or high level or specialist skills acquired through at least 3 years' experience in a similar post.

In general, a work permit will only be issued if you are able to satisfy Work Permits (UK) that there is no suitable and available 'resident worker' for the post. A 'resident worker' means an individual who is settled in the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA). It is usually necessary for the position to be advertised within the UK and EEA to be able to demonstrate this.

About the job

Work Permits (UK) divide all work permit applications into 2 categories: Tier 1 and Tier 2.

Tier 1 cases are usually dealt with much more quickly and without the requirement to advertise. These are: intra-company transfers; board level posts; new posts that are essential to an inward investment project that is bringing jobs and money into the UK; and certain occupations which are designated as 'shortage occupations' by the UK authorities.

All other applications are regarded as Tier 2, and the UK employer will normally have to advertise the position to demonstrate the lack of suitable resident workers. Advertising requirements may be waived in certain circumstances.

It is important to show in all cases that the proposed employee is sufficiently qualified and has the experience necessary for the job.

Application fees

All applications for a new work permit or an extension of a current work permit must be accompanied by the appropriate fee, which is subject to change. Work Permits (UK) currently charge £190 for each work permit application. Once a work permit is obtained, the individual then has to apply for entry clearance (if abroad) or permission to vary their leave to remain (if in the UK), and the UK authorities charge a fee for both types of application, currently £200 (payable in local currency) and £350 respectively.

About the work permit

An employer may ask for a work permit to be issued for up to 5 years. A work permit can be extended whilst the work permit holder is in the UK - the extension application must be submitted before the expiry of the current work permit. A change of employer will necessitate a new work permit application.

Current guidelines state that a work permit application will be dealt with in between 7-10 working days, but much will depend on the correct documents being supplied with the application.