Working in the UK

The UK operates a Points Based System of visas, with individuals being awarded points for their age, level of education, past earnings and experience. 

Permanent Residents of the UK and British and European Nationals [EEA] do not need to apply for the right to work in the UK. Most others will need to ensure that they have this right to work, study or live in the UK and there are many ways in which this can be achieved. The key issue for you is that you know your status and can obtain this right as quickly and certainly as possible.

The primary options for working in the UK are:

Tier 1 Visa - Highly Skilled Migrants

This is for highly skilled individuals and allows them to enter the UK without needing to have first found a job. Holders of the Tier 1 Visa can work in any capacity (including self-employed) and for any employer. There are a number of different categories within the Tier 1 Visa, including the Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa, designed to allow those who have studied in the UK to work for two years after their studies.

Important:

The Tier 1 General Visa is only currently available for extensions. No new applications can be made for Tier 1 General or Tier 1 PSW. There are options available for Entrepreneurs or Investors with significant funds to invest.

Tier 2 Visa - Skilled Workers with a job offer

This is commonly referred to as a Work Permit and requires you to firstly have an offer of employment. The employer must be registered as a sponsor with the Home Office and then issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship. Once you have this you will be able to apply for a Tier 2 Visa. This would usually be awarded for an initial period of 3 years.

Before an employer can sponsor a prospective employee they must have registered their Company as a Sponsor with the Home Office. They will then be able to issue Certificates of Sponsorship. The Home Office will audit the employer on a regular basis and it is vital that the employer maintains suitable records and complies with immigration rules. Failure to do so can result in heavy fines and revocation of work permits.

Tier 5 Visa - Working Holidays

Commonly known as a Working Holiday Visa, this allows citizens of a limited number of countries to visit the UK with the right to work for two years. The purpose of this visa is to experience UK culture whilst being able to support yourself by taking employment. You must leave the UK by the end of your visa period and you will not be able to switch into other visa categories inside the UK.

Family and Dependants

Many UK Visas allow you to bring your family with you to the UK as your dependants and they would usually be granted the right to work for any employer in any capacity regardless of the visa that you hold.

It is a common fact that too many opportunities are lost due to lack of awareness of your options.

Employers and Recruiters miss out on the people they need and Candidates miss out on their ideal job because of lack of information and help. It is also a fact that these opportunities are sometimes avoided because it is felt that too much extra work and admin is required to make it happen. Actually, all it takes is an email or a phone call to give you an idea about such matters and after that; there is either little or no extra work.

Before you make a decision that any candidate or opportunity is not for you, why not look at all of your options first. There are probably more than you think. This is important to you. Make sure you are fully informed or a placement, a great employee or a great job may just slip past.