Applying For Work Permit In The Uk
Applying for a work permit to work in the UK can be tricky. To enter the UK as an employee you need to apply first for a work permit. You don’t just go in, you know! Your prospective employer has responsibility for supporting your application, but they don’t even have to do that if they pay you more than £150,000 a year. If you’re earning that much it’s pretty safe to say you’re doing pretty well, so I guess the government figures they’ll let you in!
At times, people leave their countries to work in a foreign country but they do not have the required skills to be employed. Therefore, these people need a work permit that will require an employer to sponsor your petition for you. In the UK, there is an immigration process that has been put by the government which every person who comes from outside the country should follow.
How to Get a Work Permit
Before you can apply you must satisfy the following work permit requirements:
- Have received a confirmed offer of employment from a licensed UK employer who will act as your sponsor; and
- Be in possession of a Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your sponsoring employer; and
- Pass the points-based assessment, details of which can be found on the category specific work permit pages listed below.
There are three main categories of UK work permit we advise on. These are:
The work permit application process is led by the employer who is responsible for issuing you (the applicant) with a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Employers who want to know more about Tier 2 work permits are advised to read our section on Tier 2 visa information for employers.
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UK Work Permits (General Category) & Permanent Residency
As a UK work permit holder you can qualify for permanent residence if you have lived and worked in the UK for a minimum of five years. Once you have satisfied the five year requirement you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK, which can be then be followed by British Naturalisation as a UK citizen.
Intra-Company Transfers & Permanent Residency
As a UK work permit holder under the ICT category, you can qualify for permanent residence if you have lived and worked in the UK for a minimum of five years and was granted a Tier 2 intra company transfer visa under the rules in place before 6th April 2010 or had previous leave as a qualifying work permit holder. Once you have satisfied the five year requirement you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK (ILR), which can be then be followed by British Naturalisation as a UK citizen.