UK Visa

The United Kingdom offers a variety of visas for foreign nationals wishing to visit or immigrate to the UK to find work or undertake employment. To find out more about the UK work visas get in touch with Global visas today by visiting the Global Visas online assessment area.

Tier 2 Work Permits

A Tier 2 work permit is based on obtaining a ob offer, which involves a UK employer applying on behalf of a potential foreign national employee. It is important that a firm offer of employment is obtained from a UK company before an application is submitted.

UK work permits are designed to help UK businesses bring foreign national workers to the UK to fill positions which cannot be filled by a resident UK permanent resident or UK citizen. Unlike the HSMP, they do not offer the right to begin living and working in the UK per se and are valid only for the sponsoring organisation in the position specified. Any change of employer or post will require a new application to be made.

Benefits of a UK Work permit

A work permit may be valid for between one day and five years and although they are not specifically intended as a route to permanent settled status in the UK, after 5 years of holding the same permit, a applicant may apply for Further Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR). As a result, like the HSMP, work permits allow the spouse, fiancé or long term partner of a candidate to join them in the UK through a UK dependency visa.

Applying for a UK Work Permit

The prearranged offer of employment must be at or above NVQ level 3 and candidates must possess a degree or equivalent, a relevant HND or a non-relevant HND plus a minimum of one years experience in a similar post. Alternatively a candidate may qualify based on 3 years of relevant work experience.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers wishing to bring a foreign national to work in the UK must show that they have advertised the position for at least 28 days within the EU work force and been unsuccessful in finding a suitable candidate. However, where positions are deemed to be in a shortage occupation this requirement will be waived.

Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer

Advertising a position is also unnecessary where an employer is bringing a foreign national to the UK on an Intra Company Transfer visa or ICT. ICTs are a specific form of work permit which allow a UK company to transfer an employee from an overseas branch or subsidiary for an agreed period. Candidates must have been working for the company for a minimum of six months and must have specific and relevant knowledge of the company's products or services. An ICT may be valid for up to 5 years however; this particular class of work permit will not lead to the opportunity to apply for permanent residency and the spouse or partner of an applicant may relocate to the UK with them, however, like the principle applicant, they will need to return to their country of residence when the permit expires.

The Training and Work Experience Scheme

The Training and Work Experience scheme (TWES) offers non EU nationals the opportunity to train in the UK in a position which involves 30 hours per week or more, with a view to applying their learning in their own country of residence. The TWES allows foreign nationals to benefit from on the job training in the UK which is unavailable in their own country and requires a sponsoring company to be in place. A TWES visa can be issued for up to 2 years however it will not lead to permanent residency and candidates will be obliged to leave the UK at the end of their training. Positions must be at or above NVQ level 3 and candidates must have a degree or a combination of qualifications and experience.

Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme

The Youth Mobility Scheme or YMS is a cultural exchange scheme designed for the 18-30 year olds. The scheme is currently only open to Australia, Japan, Canada and New Zealand, with young people from the United Kingdom open to travel and work in these countries and vice-versa for up to two years, contributing to the economy by working, paying taxes and spending on goods and services while young UK nationals enjoy similar opportunities in those countries.

Visit our online assessment at Global Visas area now to begin your application. Just take a moment to complete one of our quick and easy assessment forms and a consultant will contact you.