As a result of the
machinery of Government changes introduced by the new
administration, Work Permits (UK) has been transferred from
the former Department for Education and Employment to the
Home Office and is now part of its Immigration and
Nationality Directorate.
Work Permits (UK) administers the Work Permit
Scheme. The service permits employers based in Great
Britain to employ people who are not nationals of a
European Economic Area country and not entitled to
work in the United Kingdom.
The aim of Work Permits (UK) is to strike the right
balance between enabling employers to recruit or
transfer skilled people from abroad whilst at the same
time protecting job opportunities for residents.
There are three main categories under which work
permit applications may be made:
- Business and Commercial.
- Sports people and Entertainers.
- Training and work experience scheme (TWES).
Work Permits (UK) also gives permission for
multi-national employers to provide internship
placements to overseas students.
Those students who are studying at a United Kingdom
educational institute and who wish to undertake casual
work in their spare time or vacation or a work
placement which is part of their course do not need a
work permit but need to be aware of the restrictions
on the type of work they may do.
Applications for work permits must be made by the
employer or by a representative acting on his behalf.
Work Permits (UK) does not issue work permits for jobs
at manual, craft, clerical, secretarial or similar
levels, or for domestic work, such as nannies or
housekeepers.
There appears to be a great deal of misleading
advice surrounding the issue of Work Permits and
particularly Training and Work Experience
permits. We are aware that some foreign (non EEA)
nationals have been advised that an extension of stay
as a visitor enables them to work here. This is
not the case. Similarly we have been informed
that people who have obtained TWES Permits have been
advised that this will ultimately enable them to claim
settled status in the UK. The maximum period for a
TWES permit is two years after which the holder must
leave the UK and cannot qualify for settlement in this
category of permit.
We are authorised by The Office of the Immigration
Services Commissioner (OICS) to give advice at the
highest level.
We strongly recommend that prospective employers or
employees take advantage of our initial consultation. We have considerable experience and
expertise in dealing with applications for Work
Permits, Training and Work Experience Permits or changing
employers, and in switching into employment from
other Immigration categories.
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