work_permits

1. Applications for Work Permits have to be lodged by the prospective UK
employer, and not by the prospective employee.

2. In order to obtain a Work Permit the following is required:

a The employer must be a UK based Company or business.
b The employee must have qualifications or experience as follows:

i) A Relevant University Degree; or
ii) A Higher National Diploma level qualification; or
iii) Without the above qualifications, at least a university degree with 12 months
relevant experience.

3. Work Permits applications fall into three categories:

1. Tier 1 applications:

These are Work Permit applications where no prior resident labour test is required to be carried out by
the UK employer.

i) Inter-Company transfer Work Permits.
ii) Work Permits for senior Board level positions, where the prospective employee has several
years previous Board level or equivalent experience.
iii) Work Permit applications where a substantial foreign investment is being made in the UK
conditional upon the appointment of the prospective employee to a key position in the
Company. Normally a foreign investment of at least £350 000,00 is required to be made,
and this investment must lead to substantial job creation in the UK Company.
iv) Shortage Occupations: The Department for Education and Employment publishes a
list of shortage occupations. These are occupations that are accepted as being in a
short supply in the UK, and as a result of this, no prior advertising is required. The
shortage Occupations List is updated regularly but currently includes positions
within the following categories:

(a) Certain IT positions.
(b) Certain qualified Nursing position.
(c) Certain Medical consultant positions.
(d) Certain Telecom and Telecom related engineering positions.
(e) Other miscellaneous posts e.g. Clinical, Psychologist and
Occupational Therapist, Veterinary Surgeon, CAA License
Aircraft Engineer, Pharmacist, Actuary, Physiotherapist.