UK Immigration, Work Permits and Visas

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UK Immigration, UK Work Permit and UK Visa Service

The UK offers a wide range of UK immigration, UK residency, UK naturalisation, UK work permit and UK visa options. A UK work permit and UK HSMP Visa are two of the work permit categories that count towards a future UK residency application.

One of the most popular forms of immigration to the UK is the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. This allows you to enter the UK before finding a job and means that you do not need a UK employer to sponsor your work permit. One of the biggest advantages offered by the UK HSMP Visa (Highly Skilled Migrant Programme) is that it is effectively a UK work permit that allows you to work in the UK for any employer. Naturally, with an employer sponsored UK work permit you can only work for the employer that sponsors your work permit in the UK.

If you have a job offer from a UK Employer then you should consider an Employer Sponsored UK Work Permit An employer sponsored UK work permit will allow you to work for that employer for up to 5 years and counts towards UK residency in the same way that the UK HSMP Visa does. If you are the prospective Employer then you can email us direct.

Also popular with members of Commonwealth Countries is the Working Holiday Maker Visa. This can be gained for a period of up to two years and allows you to work in the UK during that period, although it does not count towards UK residency.

We can also help if you need to bring your family or dependents to the UK, perhaps to join you after you have gained your UK work permit or Highly Skilled Migrant Programme Visa and settled in the UK. You can also find further information on Residency and Naturalisation in the UK Immigration section of this web site.

We also offer a wide range of services for Business Migration including relocating your business to the UK, Investment and Sole Representatives, as well as business visit visas for the UK and other services to assist with your plans.

UK Residency - Permanent Residence in the UK

Permanent residence [ or indefinite leave to remain ] depends on the status of your stay in the UK to date and consequently how long you need to have been here to qualify.

Status ( Type of Visa currently )	Qualifying period
Ancestry	5 years
Work permit	5 years
Investors	5 years
Writers, composers and artists	5 years
Sole representatives	5 years
To establish in business	5 years
Unmarried partners	2 years
Marriage	2 years
Illegal stay on any basis	14 years
legal stay on any basis	10 years

Permanent residence removes any immigration based restrictions. After one year of permanent residence you can apply for naturalisation.

UK Naturalisation

You can apply for naturalisation in the UK if:

- you are over 18 years old and can speak English or other British languages like Gaelic

- you intend to live in the UK or abroad working for the UK Government

- have lived in the UK for 5 years with limited occasions when you have been away*

- are not in breach of any immigration rules


* No more than 450 days away in the 5 years and 90 days away in the last year.

Please note, naturalisation applications can take up to one and a half years.

British nationality can also be secured by marriage.

Naturalisation by Marriage

If you are over 18 years old, can speak English or other British languages like Gaelic ; you intend to live in the UK or abroad working for the UK Government ; have lived in the UK for 3 years with limited occasions when you have been away* ; are not in breach of any immigration rules, you can apply for naturalisation.

* No more than 270 days away in the 3 years and 90 days away in the last year.

Those items listed above represent a broad outline of the requirements. Please get in touch if you wish to pursue this application.

UK Work Permit Information for Employees

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.

UK Immigration Experts can help you find a job, post your profile for recruiters to see.

A UK Work Permit in the UK is usually obtained by a company sponsoring an employee. UK Immigration Experts 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 Holiday Maker 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 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 UK government 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.

It is also possible that you could take advantage of the IGS (The International Graduates Scheme).

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.

UK Tier 1 HSMP Highly Skilled Visas

The Tier 1 HSMP Highly Skilled Visa replaces the previous Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) and allows working in the UK for an initial period of 3 years without needing a job offer.

To qualify for the Tier 1 HSMP Highly Skilled Visa you must meet the following criteria:

• Primary Points-Scoring Requirements
  You must score at least 75 points to qualify for the Tier 1 HSMP Highly Skilled Visa. Points are awarded for your age, education, past earnings and UK experience.
   
• Maintenance
  You will need to show sufficient available funds to evidence your ability to support yourself and your family while looking for employment.
  
• English Language
  You will need to evidence your English language ability, either by way of nationality, education to a certain level in specific countries or an English language test such as IELTS.

All time spent in the UK under Tier 1 HSMP Highly Skilled Visa status counts towards Permanent Residence. After the initial 3-year period you would be expected to apply for a 2-year extension to your Tier 1 HSMP Visa, after which you will be able to apply for Permanent Residence.

HSMP Visa holders in the UK

If you are currently in the UK with HSMP Visa status and you need an extension then the extension will be considered under the new Tier 1 HSMP Highly Skilled Visa criteria. If you were approved for HSMP after 5 December 2006 then you will not need to evidence your English Language ability when making a Tier 1 HSMP extension application.

Tier 1 HSMP Dependants and Family Members.

Your dependants can be added to your Tier 1 HSMP Visa at the time of application and they will all have to complete a Tier 1 HSMP Dependant application form.

UK Immigration - Spouse, Dependent and Family Visa

It would be fairly pointless you achieving the career you desire in the country you want to live in without your family with you. In fact, your family and their own particular skills and experience, may help you obtain your permit in the first place. See our HSMP information for this.

Work Permits and Visas for the UK are designed to allow your family to share the benefits of living here and they are very welcome.

When you make your application, be sure to include the relevant sections about your family. This may need separate forms for your spouse. Do not worry. We can help you with this and make sure the whole family do what is needed.

Once you are here, you can enjoy the same benefits as the British.

You may apply for your spouse and children (under 18 years) to accompany you as your dependants.

They will need to complete forms as well.

Your spouse, partner and children can get a UK Visa and enjoy the same benefits as UK people, including free education, free healthcare and the ability to work in the UK.

There is also private education and private healthcare which you are welcome to assess.

Skillclear has relationships with many different kinds of businesses. We can help you with information about accommodation, schooling, healthcare and many other matters designed to allow the smoothest possible move for all of you.

There are many ways in which your family can accompany you or join you later and many types of visas that may be applicable to them.

Contact us and ensure that your success is shared with your whole family.

Working Holiday Makers

If you are a Commonwealth Citizen from the age of17 to 30 you can come to the UK and enjoy a working holiday for up to 2 years.

What is the working holiday scheme?

The working holidaymaker scheme is an arrangement where a person aged between 17 and 30 can come to the United Kingdom (UK) for an extended holiday for up to two years and enter into employment that is incidental to their holiday. The recent changes mean that you can only work for 12 months in total. Work must not be the main reason for your visit. If you require assistance and representation in gaining your Working Holiday Visa then Contact us.

How do I qualify as a working holidaymaker?

You qualify as a working holidaymaker if:

· you are a commonwealth citizen, British Dependent Territories citizen or British Overseas citizen
· you want to come to the UK for an extended holiday and intend to take some incidental employment
· you are single or are married to a person who also qualifies as a working holidaymaker and you plan to take the working holiday together
· you do not have any dependent children who are aged five years or over, or who will be five before you complete your holiday
· your holiday ,and not work, is the main reason for your visit
· you can support and accommodate yourself without help from public funds
· you do not have any commitments which require a regular salary
· you can pay for your onward journey
· you plan to leave the UK at the end of your holiday

How long can I stay?

You can only stay in the UK for two years as a working holidaymaker, from the date you first enter the UK in this category. We will count any time you spend outside the UK during that period as part of the two years.

What type of work can I do?

You can take most types of work, including voluntary work, but you cannot set yourself up in or run a business, or work as a professional sportsperson. You can choose when to work and when to take your holiday breaks, but you must not work for more than a total of 12 months or you will be breaking the conditions of your stay. Note: if you were issued with a working holidaymaker visa before 8 February 2005, there are no restrictions on the amount or type of work that you are allowed to do.

Do I need a visa as a working holidaymaker?

You must get a visa as a working holidaymaker before you travel to the UK.

UK Sectors Based Scheme (SBS)

IMPORTANT:
This scheme is currently only for Bulgarian and Romanian citizens.

What is the Sectors Based Scheme?

The scheme allows workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to enter the United Kingdom to take short-term or casual jobs.

Your UK employer must apply for a work permit for you before you travel to the United Kingdom.

This work is low skilled and jobs are only available in these sectors:

• the hospitality industry (hotel and catering work); and
• the food manufacturing industries (meat and fish processing and mushroom production only)

Work Permits UK can issue a work permit for these jobs in hospitality:

• Bar staff
• Chefs (at National Vocational Qualification level 2 and below)
• Cleaners (in staff canteens and restaurants only)
• Concierge staff
• Food service operatives (serving food)
• Housekeepers
• Kitchen assistants (preparing food, cleaning and general help)
• Room attendants
• Reception staff
• Waiting staff

Work Permits UK can issue a work permit for these jobs in food manufacturing:

• Fish filleters (preparing and cleaning fish)
• Fish packers (packing and labelling fish)
• Fish Process Operatives (operating, minding, cleaning machines that prepare fish)
• Animal gut remover
• Meat bone breaker
• Meat bone extractor
• Meat cold store operative
• Meat cutter
• Meat packer
• Meat process operatives
• Meat slaughter person
• Lairageman (pre-slaughter animal welfare attendant)

Trimmer (trims fat from and shapes meat, after it has been boned and cut)

• Mushroom processor (tending, picking, grading and packing mushrooms)

Contact Us for assistance with the Sectors Based Scheme

What work conditions can I expect?

Your work permit shows the wages and hours you agreed when your employer offered you the job. You are entitled to the same wages and conditions your employer gives to people doing similar jobs. Your wage must be no lower than the National Minimum Wage. The law says how many hours you can work and what holiday you can have.

How can I qualify for the scheme?

The scheme is open to all non-European Union nationals aged between 18 and 30.

How long can I stay in the UK under the scheme?

You can get permission to work for up to 12 months. We expect you to leave the UK when your permission to stay is finished. You may apply to return under the scheme after two months outside the UK.

Can I apply to stay in the United Kingdom for longer than it says on my work permit?

If there is work for you to do, you can apply to stay longer under the scheme, but only up to twelve months at the most. Your employer will need to apply to Work Permits UK for another work permit for you, and you will need to apply to the Home Office for permission to stay longer.

Can I change my employer while I am in the UK?

You can move to another employer during the period of your Work Permit, but you can only stay in the UK up to a total of 12 months. The new job must be the same type of work that you are already doing. Your new employer must apply for a new work permit for you before you start work.

If you leave your job and cannot find another job immediately, you must leave the UK as soon as possible.

Can I switch into full work permit employment outside the Sector Based Scheme while I am in the United Kingdom?

A UK employer outside the Sector Based Scheme can apply for a work permit for you while you are in the UK. More information about work permits in general is available from the main work permits section of this site.

Can I apply to stay in the UK permanently?

The scheme does not allow you to apply to stay in the UK permanently.

Can I bring my dependants with me under the scheme?

The scheme only allows you to stay in the UK for a short time, and you cannot bring any dependants with you.