| In order to apply for a work permit you need to | | | | veterinany surgeons are also needed. |
| be in a good position to work. This could mean | | | | If you fall into any of these categories you should |
| you are highly skilled with a degree, or it could | | | | certainly be successful in gaining a UK work |
| just mean you have an employer ready to take | | | | permit. The actual process is relatively easy and |
| you on. Highly skilled migrants could apply for the | | | | shouldn't take more than a couple of weeks to |
| Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). | | | | complete. Once an online application form (WP1) is |
| Successful applicant of this type of visa will be | | | | filled out it will need to be sent to the Home |
| allowed to work anywhere in the UK for two | | | | Office Border and Immigration Agency in order |
| years and longer if you can prove your in full time | | | | for it to be improved. You will need to send |
| employment when your two years runs out. | | | | copies of all academic/professional qualifications. |
| Those that are not highly skilled will not be able to | | | | Your past employer's references covering, ideally, |
| apply for a work permit themselves. Only | | | | the last 5 years your employment. A signed |
| employers can apply for a work permit. These | | | | contract if applicable and the employer's proof |
| employers need to prove the chosen candidate is | | | | that they have been trying to find employers in |
| experienced enough to be granted a work permit, | | | | the UK, by copies of the advertisements. (This is |
| or that they have a UK degree equivalent | | | | only if the job in question is not in the official |
| qualification, NVQ at level III or above or a HND | | | | shortage list.) |
| level occupation. | | | | Once your work permit has been granted the |
| As well as the ability to work with equivalent | | | | original document will be sent to you by your |
| qualifications employees also need to prove they | | | | employer as you will need it in your possession |
| have tried at great lengths to employ an EEA | | | | before you enter the UK. You will also need to |
| resident including advertisements in the paper, | | | | present your documents, your work permit, |
| advertisements in the local job centre, internet | | | | passport and any necessary Visas to the |
| advertising and have allowed four weeks for any | | | | immigration officer based at the port of entry. |
| responses. | | | | Once you have done this you will be granted |
| There are some jobs that do not need to be | | | | entry for the duration of the work permit. |
| advertised before an employer applies for a work | | | | However if you are classed as a visa national you |
| permit. These are positions of high level executive | | | | simply just need to arrive in the UK with your |
| and positions on a board of directors where the | | | | work permit and your passport, it should be |
| migrant would be reporting directly to the board | | | | noted that your passport needs to be valid for at |
| of directors. There are lots of skilled positions on | | | | least six months from your date of entry into the |
| the official shortage list which also fall into this | | | | UK. If you are not classed as a visa national you |
| category. These include the healthcare profession | | | | will need to apply for an Entry Clearance Visa at |
| including Doctors, Dentists and Consultants, | | | | your nearest British Embassy based in your home |
| teachers for all subjects which are covered by | | | | country. |
| compulsory schooling. Another category on the | | | | Carolyn is the webmaster of Immigration consult, |
| official shortage list is all work in the Ground | | | | experts in UK Work Permits and HSMP Visa. |
| Engineering and general engineering sector. Also | | | | |