Work Permit

These are granted by a different government department concerned with employment rather than the Home Office and are issued to the employer rather than the individual.

From October 1991 there has been a two-tier system.

Tier 1 involves transfers within transnational companies, board level posts, posts involving substantial financial investment in the UK and occupations deemed to be in short supply.

The advantage of Tier 1 posts is that no advertising is required though it still needs to be established that the job couldn't be done by someone within the European Economic Area (EEA).

Tier 2 covers all other jobs and does require advertising. The most important category is keyworker - i.e. someone whose skills and knowledge are essential to the company.

Keyworker permits are issued for a maximum of 3 years.

Permit Free Employment

The following categories do not need work permits:

• Ministers of Religion

• Missionaries

• Members of Religious Orders

• Representatives of overseas media on long term assignments

• Private Servants of Diplomats
  

A very important category for business people not needing a work permit is the Sole Representative which must fulfil the following conditions:

• The company must be based overseas and have no representation in this country

• the representative must have been recruited outside the UK

• he/she must be a senior employee with the power to take operational decisions

• he/she must not be a major shareholder and must not take other employment in the UK
  

Investment

Back