What type of UK visas and work permits are available?
Although there are numerous types of status you can work under
in the UK, listed below are the main ones:
UK Business Visit Visas. As the name suggests, this covers
you to be in the UK on business. It allows you to enter the UK
to attend meetings and conduct business, usually for a period
of up to 6 months but not to work. For an IT Programmer, this
means no coding, but interviews, discussions with potential partners,
clients and employers or making presentations would be acceptable
under this category.
UK Working Holiday Maker visa. This visa allows young
(under 30) Commonwealth nationals to work in the UK for up to
12 months. If your initial time in the UK on a WHMV is positive,
you can switch to another type of visa to extend your stay.
UK Ancestry Visa. This status allows those with a UK born
grandparent to gain an initial 48 months visa which can lead to
permanent residency, or have your Ancestry visa extended. You
can apply from within your home country but must show that you
can support yourself whilst in the UK or have a letter from a
UK employer saying that you have been offered a (permanent) job.
Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) Visa. This new
status allows those who gain enough points for qualifications
/ professional experience / achievements / earning power to gain
an initial 1 year visa which is extendable providing that during
the year you have been successful in establishing a career or
business in the UK
UK Work Permits (WP1). Work Permits must be sponsored
by a UK employer, and restrict you to work for the sponsoring
company. The length of approval varies, but they are easily extendible
if necessary, and can lead to Permanent Residence after 4 years.
The employing company will have to prove that there is no EEA
national who can do the job. To qualify, you must either be a
graduate or have at least 3 years relevant high level experience.
UK Spousal Visa. The duration of this status is dependent
on the duration of your spouses work permit. If you have a spouse
that has gained a UK work permit, then you do not require your
own permit to work. You can work in any capacity with no restrictions
on transferring between different companies. You must, however,
apply for the correct entry clearance outside of the UK, regardless
of your nationality.
UK Permanent Residence/ Indefinite Leave to Remain. You
would be entitled to this after 4 years in the UK on a work permit,
HSMP visa, ancestry visa or as their dependent. This will entitle
you to work free from conditions in the UK, but not in the rest
of Europe. Once you have been on ILR for 1 year, you can apply
for a UK passport (but be warned, the application can take 18
months).
UK Student Visas. These usually last for the duration
of the course. This status allows you to work up to 20 hours per
week during term time or full time during vacation. On completing
your studies, you may be able to transfer from your student visa
to a Work Permit or HSMP visa.
UK Irish Ancestry. If you have a grandparent who was born
in Ireland (Republic of Ireland after 1922, Irish Free State before
1922) then you are probably entitled to Irish nationality. You
must first register as an Irish National Overseas, and can then
apply for your passport. This is a long process, but will entitle
you to work free from travel/work restrictions across Europe.
How do I apply for jobs in the UK?
The easiest way to get
a job in the UK is to apply either for vacancies via UK
recruitment agencies or to apply direct to UK companies. Job
opportunities are most easily found by either looking in the
UK trade press or on the various online recruitment sites. Eutopia
is a good source of high-calibre
jobs in the UK and across Europe where the companies are prepared
to sponsor non-EC candidates.
If you have the right to work in the UK (whether it be on a Working
Holiday Maker, Ancestral, HSMP, or Spousal visa), you should find
that both contract and permanent
job opportunities are open to you. If however you do require
sponsorship, it is highly likely that there will be more permanent
opportunities open to you, although you might still get companies
willing to sponsor you for contract roles (usually dependent on
your technical skills).
The process of applying
for a job in the UK, however, can sometimes be a frustrating
one. You might apply for a job that looks ideal only to be rejected
because you don't have a work permit and how can you get a work
permit without having a job offer? Don't expect it to be easy.
This can turn into a frustrating Catch-22 situation although the
new HSMP visa can be a way out if you qualify for enough points.
However, we recommend persistence. It will eventually pay off
eventually and are certain that it will be worth the wait for
you. The key is to work with your selected UK
recruitment agency and ensure that you keep in regular contact
with them.
How long does it take to get a WP1 work permit?
Current processing time for South Africans, Australians, New
Zealanders and Americans (plus a few other nationalities) is approximately
2-4 weeks; some other nationalities can take slightly longer.
You will also need to add a few weeks at either end of the process
whilst the relevant paperwork is organized. You should allow a
total processing time of 4-8 weeks.
You can help to speed up the process by having all of your paperwork
ready, such as original references from previous employers and
all of your education certificates. This will be useful when a
company does decide to employ you and can then move forward quickly
with your application.
Can I work in other European countries on a UK work permit?
A UK work permit is exactly that, a permit to work in the UK,
not the rest of Europe.
Where can I get more information?
There are many sources of information on working legally in the
UK. Try the following British Government web sites for up to date
information:
Please note that the information contained in this document is
accurate at the time of writing. However, UK visa laws and immigration
regulations do change and we accept no liability for any losses
arising from information acted upon in this fact sheet.
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