UK Work Permits Ltd

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UK Work Permits Ltd is a leading consultancy specialising in work-related UK immigration, including applications made under Tier 2 (replacing work permits) and Tier 1 (for highly skilled migrants) of the new Points Based System. We also deal with other applications for leave to remain and leave to enter, mainly under work or business-related immigration categories.

	If you are an employer interested in employing an individual from outside of the EU as a sponsored skilled worker, please click here.
	If you have an offer of work from a UK employer, and would like to make an application as a sponsored skilled worker, please click here.
	Alternatively, if you have a university degree and work experience, or a PhD, you may qualify as a Highly Skilled Migrant under Tier 1 (General); please click here.
	If you have completed a degree or postgraduate award in the last twelve months at a UK university, you may qualify under the Post-Study Work Scheme; please click here

Much of our work involves providing services to employers relating to Tier 2 of the new Points Based System, including Sponsor Registration and administration of the Sponsor Management System.

For more detailed information on the various schemes, the various tiers and sub-categories of the new Points Based System, and other schemes and programmes, please view the specific pages on our website, or for basic information on these main routes, please read the summary below.

“Work permits” and “Permission to work” – Basic Information

There are currently many UK immigration categories (or types of “visa”) that carry with them, or include, the right to work in the UK, either for a limited or unlimited number of hours and for a limited or unlimited duration. Many schemes (the specific routes into the UK for work purposes) have now been replaced by a more compact Points Based System, which is undergoing staggered introduction throughout 2008-2009. Each category within the new system has its own purpose, criteria and requirements.

The term “work permit” is often used broadly to mean “permission to work”. In truth, the work permit scheme was a very specific type of visa (where a person’s right to work was employment-specific) and its main purpose is now served by a Certificate of Sponsorship issued under Tier 2 of the Points Based System. There are other visa types that some individuals are able to apply for that grant permission to work freely, for any employer, offering flexibility that a Certificate of Sponsorship or work permit doesn’t provide. Employers will sometimes state that applicants for a role “must have a work permit”. What is really meant is that a person must have permission to work freely (and perhaps indefinitely) in order to be considered for a role. If an employer indicates that applicants for a role must have permission to work, anybody intending to apply (who isn’t a resident worker) should check with the employer what type of permission (and what duration) they need. Information on some of the more common types of immigration permission can be seen below.

Tier 2 of the Points Based System – For sponsored skilled workers

As of the 27^th November 2008, the purpose of the work permit schemes (allowing employers to bring in skilled workers where needed for specific positions) is now met by Tier 2 of the new 5 Tier Points Based System. Although many of the same (or very similar) rules and criteria continue to be in place, the way the scheme is administered is quite different to the previous work permit arrangements.

Employer sponsorship

The employer’s primary involvement in the process of helping an individual to gain permission to work in a particular role will be in the issuing of a “Certificate of Sponsorship”.Employers will need to be become and remain listed on the BA’s Register of Sponsors in order to issue Certificates of Sponsorship.

To become registered an employer needs to make an application for a “licence”, providing information and documents, and agreeing to adhere to certain responsibilities. To retain their place on the register, employers will need to uphold these responsibilities and remain compliant. The number and type of Certificates of Sponsorship that the sponsor can issue will be decided upon initial registration and reviewed annually or more frequently. The number of certificates actually issued (using the Border Agency’s online Sponsorship Management System) will be closely monitored against initial predictions or limits. Limits may be increased or decreased based on actual issued numbers, or based on any changes of circumstances.

The Sponsorship Management System will have provisions for categories such as Intra Company Transfers and applications for Shortage Occupations. Under normal circumstances, however, much like under the current work permit arrangements, the employer will need to conduct recruitment advertising to evidence that the role has met the Resident Labour Market Test.

The ongoing responsibilities of sponsorship are significant. Employers failing to ensure conformity with various requirements, such as record-keeping, reporting, compliance and cooperation with the Border Agency, could face fixed civil penalties, being downgraded from an “A-rated” employer to a “B-rated” employer, or removal from the register, depending on the severity of any offences.

Individuals: points based “visa” application

Following the issuing of the Certificate of Sponsorship, the individual is required to make one single application for entry, or leave to remain, under Tier 2 of the points based system. The Certificate of Sponsorship forms an essential component of any such application. In addition, the candidate must meet a set number of points based on their attributes and the attributes of the role. A free online assessment for applications under Tier 2 of the Points Based System (replacing work permits) will be in place very shortly. In the meantime, please contact us for more information.

Tier 1 of the Points Based System – For skilled migrants not requiring sponsorship

Tier 1 (General)

Tier 1 (General) was fully introduced on the 30^th June 2008, and was based on the established and well known Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. Under the Tier 1 (General) category, an applicant can gain points in key areas including age, qualifications, earnings, and previous experience in the UK (working or studying). The Tier 1 (General) category does not require the involvement of any employer to “sponsor” the individual. Instead the application is completely driven by the individual, who, if successful, will have the right to work freely within the UK. Please visit the Tier 1 (General) page for more information and a free assessment.

Tier 1 (Post-Study Work)

If an individual has graduated, or is due to graduate from, a UK university with a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, PhD or a post-graduate certificate or diploma, they may be able to remain in the UK under the Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) sub-category of the new Points Based System. This Post Study Work “visa” replaced the International Graduate Scheme as of 30th June 2008. Please visit the Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) page for more information and a free assessment.

Tier 1 (Investor) and Tier 1 (Entrepeneur)

These two subcategories are in place to encourage foreign nationals to come to the UK to both invest in new and existing businesses and to start new businesses. Please visit the pages for Tier 1 (Investor) and Tier 1 (Entrepeneur) for more information.

Our Services

We specialise in providing expert assistance with work-related UK immigration applications and we have fine-tuned our methods towards providing this clearly defined set of services. We can provide professional assistance with all of the application types listed on this website. We follow a step-by-step plan for each and every application we undertake. By doing the right things in the right order, our clients benefit from greater speed and efficiency. We are always aware of the importance accuracy and attention to detail and we’re also aware of the need to be flexible in the case of unforeseen events or tight timeframes. Overall, our aim is to provide a thorough and professional service while protecting our clients from unnecessary “hassle” as much as possible, and ensuring that (without compromising on quality of our service) each application takes up as little of our client’s time as possible.

Many of our existing business relationships have been formed due to our willingness to offer clear, reliable advice to those who need it. If you need help or advice on any potential or existing application, please contact us.

Click here to view comments and testimonials from some of our clients.