Help and FAQ’s

If you experience any technical difficulties with our website, please contact us via email. Please also contact us if you are unclear in any way about the information presented on this website, or if you are unclear with regards to any of the terms used.

If you are trying to use our Highly Skilled Migrant Programme Points Calculator and you are unclear on the precise meaning of the terms used, you can click the red “question mark” symbol for a more detailed explanation, and some examples are also provided

FAQ’s

Below is a list of frequently asked questions, and also some general explanations that some people may find helpful.

Are you part of the government?

No. We are a private immigration consultancy, and we specialise in work-related UK immigration. In the case of work permit applications, the service we offer is to prepare and present an application on behalf of a client. A client can be either a UK employer, a candidate wishing to obtain a work permit, or an external agency or other party. All applications are received and processed by The Border and Immigration Agency in Sheffield. The Border and Immigration Agency is a division of the Home Office, part of the UK government, that administers the work permit schemes for employers nationwide. UK Work Permits Ltd simply acts as an official representative in such applications for work permits, HSMP approval, Training and Work Experience Scheme visas, and the other specific categories listed on our website.

I want to get a work permit so that I can get a job in the UK, what can I do?

There are only a limited number of ways that non-EEA nationals can obtain permission to work in the UK. Work permits specifically are employer-driven. Only an employer can apply for a work permit. It is not possible to get a work permit as an individual, in order to then find a job, because work permits are employment-specific. A UK business must make or sign an application in order for a work permit to be granted. The work permit will then only relate to the particular position for which it was issued. If you do not have a UK business wishing to employ you and willing to make an application for a work permit on your behalf, then a work permit is simply not appropriate. If you are able to convince an employer that you are necessary to their business, then they may make a decision to assist you. If you are an individual wishing to work in the UK (without an employer willing to sponsor your work permit application) then you may wish to check your eligibility under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. This scheme is not employer driven or employment specific. It offers the opportunity for highly skilled individuals to live and work freely in the UK providing they remain consistently economically active. 

Can UK Work Permits Ltd help to find me an employer, or sponsor my work permit application?

No, we can do neither. Only the UK employer that is going to directly employ an individual can apply for a work permit for them. We are not involved in recruitment and do not help individuals to find employers, or help employers to find staff. Our ability to operate as an impartial representative depends on our lack of involvement in this way.

Can UK Work Permits Ltd set me up with my own limited company, to allow me to work as a contractor in the UK?

The work permit rules are designed to allow established UK employers to fill permanent or fixed term roles within their organisations. Work permits are not issued to employment agencies who may send an individual on different assignments, and similarly work permits do not allow individual’s to work as self employed consultants. A work permit will only be issued to allow an individual to be employed directly by a particular company with a guaranteed amount of pay, and the individual is normally expected to work on the premises of the employer. Work permits may be issued where an individual is going to be based at a client’s site, but only in circumstances where it can be shown that the sponsoring company has an agreement to supply services or deliver a particular project for their client. Where the sponsoring company is simply “selling on” the candidate’s time, a work permit would not be issued. Due to these rules a work permit would not be issued where it was clear that an individual would be basically operating as a self-employed contractor. In a work permit application, the nature of the employers business has to be explained and demonstrated. A work permit would not be issued if it were made clear that a business had no purpose other than to allow the individual to work on a self employed basis. UK Work Permits do not provide limited company or contractor services.

My job isn’t on the shortage occupations list, can I still get a work permit?

Take a free assessment and find out! The vast majority of the work permits dealt with by UK Work Permits Ltd are for positions that are not on the shortage occupations list. The only key difference with work permit applications for non-shortage roles is that a resident labour search is required, and this normally means that the position needs to be advertised in the UK. For such roles, if the requirement to advertise the post is not met, then a work permit application will not normally be viable. If a proposed work permit application is no longer viable, then a UK employer will need to take steps to find suitable candidates, normally by advertising the role. UK Work Permits Ltd can help ensure that any recruitment advertising that is carried out by an employer meets the requirements of the work permit rules. We can therefore help save time if ultimately a work permit application becomes necessary.   

Do you offer a “no-win no-fee” service?

We could offer this service, and it would reduce the risk to our business, and reduce our incentive to make every application as strong as it can possibly be. If we offered this service and an application was refused, we would gain nothing, but we would only lose our time. Instead, we work on the basis of a flat fee and promise that (after we have initially assessed the case and opened a file) we will get an application through. Most applications that we deal with are on the basis of a 110% refund guarantee. If an application is unsuccessful in these cases, we refund our entire fee, and pay out an additional 10% as a penalty. Our clients know that, in our agreements with them, we truly "put our neck on the line", and unlike most service providers, we voluntarily include a penalty in our own agreement. This level of commitment, along with our comprehensive but clear terms and conditions, is what gives our clients the confidence to work with us and to trust us with what is usually a life changing matter.

What is your success rate?

We are forbidden by OISC rules from making any claim on our success rate, so we cannot even say that it is "very high". However we hope that potential clients who are not aware of our reputation will be reassured by our initial free feedback and assessment, our strong and clear terms, and our refund guarantee.

Can I visit your offices?

Visitors are seen at our office strictly by appointment. In general we do not need to see clients, either employers or individuals, and we deal with applications for businesses across the UK, as well as some that have not yet arrived! We are not ever able to see individuals without first having received some initial assessment information. Experience has taught us that we can provide a more efficient and effective service to our clients by communicating via telephone, faxes, email and post.

Can I be a reseller of your services?

Our services depend on clear communication, and accurate information. Adding extra links in the chain of communication can inhibit clear communication and cause misunderstandings. Our service is not one that is appropriate for reseller agreements.

Do you offer migration services to other countries

No, we do not. We deal only with immigration to the UK.