There are many ways by which you can live and work in the UK. Not all of them
need you to have a job offer before getting a UK Work Permit or Visa. You are a
valuable commodity and rules are changing all the time to help your move. Your family
are of course also most welcome and can enjoy the same benefits as you in the
UK.
SkillClear can help you find
a job, post
your profile for recruiters and employers to see, apply
for work or other related permits and provide a variety of additional and very
useful services. Join us now for free.
A UK Work Permit in the UK is usually obtained by a company sponsoring an
employee. SkillClear can assist with this Work Permit process if you already
have a UK employer that is prepared to make you a job offer. If you already have
a job offer from a UK employer then please feel free to contact
us for more information about gaining a UK Work Permit.
Sometimes employers prefer not to sponsor Work Permits, as they feel there is a
certain 'unknown quantity' about the process. This unfortunately creates a catch
22 situation for prospective employees that wish to obtain a UK Working Visa.
The Highly
Skilled Migrant Programme ( UK
HSMP Visa ) was created whereby you can come to the UK to LOOK FOR work
rather than having to find it first without being here. You will need to be
highly skilled and should assess yourself to see if you have the minimum 65
points required ( with all associated supporting evidence ) to qualify for the
HSMP visa. You are not tied to a single sponsoring employer and can also work
for yourself as self employed.
If you are a national of a country belonging to to the British Commonwealth, the
Working HolidayMaker
Scheme may allow you up to 2 years to live and work in the UK. You are not
tied to a single sponsoring employer and can also work for yourself as self
employed. The Working Hoiday Visa does not count towards UK Residency, whereas
the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (UK HSMP Visa and Employer Sponsored UK
Work Permit do count towards UK
Residency.
The EEA Association Agreement
exists for Eastern European nationals to come to the UK to start a business
without needing to invest large sums of money. If you are from any of the EEA
countries and you can combine technical and business experience in a wish to
start a business in the UK, the EEA
and freelance pages will
help.
These are major steps forward in allowing you, the talent, to come to the UK and
make your career happen.
With an Employer sponsored UK Work Permit, which after all allows the longest
time in the UK (up to 5 years) once you have successfully found work, your new
employer must apply for your work permit (and not you as the individual).
Although the employer must do this, the work permit actually belongs to you, not
your employer, but the work permit is specific to you working only for that
employer. If you want to change jobs, a new work permit must be obtained. This
transfer process is much easier than your first application as long as your new
employer can qualify and especially if the work permit is for a similar job. The
sponsoring process is also much easier if your skills or occupation are on the
official skills shortage
list.
You are wise at this stage to advise your new employer that we can ensure your
UK work permit is obtained quickly and correctly. It may be that a better option
exists such as some of the above options. There is no point risking failure at
application. Let us handle the work permit application process for you both.
You will also be aware of several Eastern European countries now becoming part
of the EU.
This means that work permits per se are not required but Worker
Registration Applications for nationals of these new countries
is required.
The scheme allows non-EEA nationals who have graduated from UK higher or further
education establishments to remain in the UK for 12 months after their studies
in order to pursue a career.
This could save you a fair amount of time. It needs to be evaluated and applied
for very carefully considering tight guidelines.
You may also be able to apply under the Sectors Based Scheme whereby workers
from Bulgaria and Romania to enter the United Kingdom to take short-term or
casual jobs.
If potential employers ask you to get your own work permit before applying for
their jobs, they either do not understand the processes or would rather you
looked at some of the above options.
If they do not understand the processes, just explain to them that they need
to be involved in this sponsored process and point out the above options. Better
still, ask them to get in touch with us.
Coming to the UK - Entry Clearance
If you are currently outside the United Kingdom, you may need to apply for entry clearance before you travel. The entry clearance process for the United Kingdom is run by UKvisas through the British diplomatic posts around the world.
The need to apply for entry clearance will depend on your current nationality and the scheme under which you wish to come to the United Kingdom. UKvisas have a visa enquiry form on their website which can be used to determine whether you need entry clearance as well as providing details of the nearest British post where you can make your application.
Before you make your entry clearance enquiry, you will need to know which scheme you are interested in applying for. Details of the various schemes offered under the United Kingdom Immigration Rules can be found on this website.
Once you arrive in the United Kingdom, you may have to register your stay with the police. If you need to register, this requirement will be stamped in your passport. You must register within seven days of arriving in the United Kingdom. To register, you will need your passport and two passport-size photographs of yourself.
If you are staying in the Metropolitan Police Area, you should take these to:
The Overseas Visitors Record Office
Brandon House
180 Borough High Street
London SE1 1LH
The office is open between 9 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. You can get more information from the Overseas Visitors Records Office on 020 7230 1208.
For more details kindly contact your nearest British Embassy or Consulates /
British Council.
