FAQs

A Tier 2 work permit visa is an employer specific work permit designed for professionals, executives or highly skilled persons who bring value to the UK and their employer. There is no age limit for Tier 2 work permits.

A Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows Commonwealth citizens aged between 17-30 years to stay in the UK for a maximum of two years. Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders must intend to take employment incidental to their holiday for no more than 12 months. Currently only citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan are eligible to participate in the Youth Mobility Scheme.

Only overseas nationals in the following categories are allowed to switch to a work permit from within the UK:

• Students who have successfully graduated on a degree course;
• Postgraduate doctors or dentists or trainee general practitioners;
• Student nurses may switch to a work permit;
• Working Holiday Visa holders who are switching to shortage occupations;
• HSMP visa holders;
• Candidates in the UK on an Innovators visa.

In most cases you can make an in-country switch to a work permit if your occupation is on the shortage occupation list.

Yes, you may be eligible for a work permit depending on your current UK visa status and your skills and qualifications.

A work permit can be granted for any period between one day and five years.

Depending on your current immigration status you may be able to work while your work permit application is being processed. Contact one of Visalogic’s qualified consultants to discuss the specific details of your work permit application.

Yes, you must have a job offer before you can apply for a work permit.

Unfortunately the answer is no. Visalogic is a specialist immigration consultancy who can help you to get a work permit once you have received a valid job offer. Once you receive an offer of employment from an employer who is willing to apply for a work permit on your behalf, Visalogic will complete and submit the work permit application on behalf of your prospective employer.

Applications for work permits can only be made by UK-based employers on behalf of the person they wish to employ. As an individual you cannot apply for a work permit on your own behalf.

If you are a non-EEA national and you do not already have a valid visa to work in the UK you will require a work permit.

If you are a work permit holder your spouse, unmarried partner and children may be admitted to the UK as your dependants. Your spouse/unmarried partner will be given conditions of stay which do not place any restrictions, other than those that normally apply to a resident worker, on their taking employment or engaging in business.

Therefore a dependant of a work permit holder is free to work in the UK as long as the endorsement in their passport places no restriction on their employment here. Please contact Visalogic for assistance regarding this part of your work permit application.

A work permit can often be issued in a matter of days, however the time taken to process a work permit varies depending on the type of work permit applied for. In general the time taken to process a work permit application is also largely dependent on the timeliness of the work permit documentation being forwarded to Visalogic.

A work permit is not a contract of employment. A work permit gives your employer the permission to employ you, but they are in no way obligated to employ you. If you are made redundant you are only entitled to notice/compensation insofar as that which may be detailed in your contract of employment.

No, you can remain in the UK while the new work permit application is considered.

No, as a work permit holder you are not allowed to enter self-employment, establish a business or join another business as a director or partner.

You must be outside the UK on the day when your work permit application is lodged. Visalogic will lodge your work permit application on behalf of your employer once you have left the UK. Once Visalogic submits the work permit application it usually takes between five and 10 days for the application to be approved.

Once the work permit application is approved Visalogic will send you the approved work permit. You must then submit an entry clearance application at the British Diplomatic Post in the country of your legal residence. Once entry clearance has been granted you can return to the UK and resume or start working under your work permit.

Visalogic can assist with you with your entry clearance application. We suggest you discuss this with a one of Visalogic’s consultants.

Yes, entry clearance for a work permit must be applied for in your country of legal residence.

If you are in the UK on a work permit that is approaching its expiry date you may be eligible to apply for a work permit extension. If however you have completed five years on a work permit you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residence).

You should apply for a work permit extension before your current work permit expires, however the extension application can only be lodged within three months of your current work permit expiring.

Yes, if you are in the UK on a work permit you can change to another employer, however this is only allowed once your new employer has arranged for a new work permit. This will usually take about five to 10 days from the day Visalogic submits the work permit application. Please note you cannot start working for your new employer until your new work permit has been approved.

If your current employment terminates you can try to find another employer willing to sponsor your work permit visa. Note that the new role must be similar to that undertaken in the current position for which your work permit was issued. An application for a change of employment work permit must be lodged within 28 days of leaving your current employer.

Alternatively you may also want to investigate Further Leave to Remain options by speaking with one of Visalogic’s consultants.

If you leave your job you have 28 days to find a similar position with a new employer. During these 28 days, your employer must file a new work permit application on your behalf. If you do not find a new employer you must leave the UK within 28 days or you will be deemed to be in the UK illegally. Although the work permit stamp in your passport may be valid for a number of years, it is only valid while you are employed with the company that obtained your work permit.

Supplementary employment arrangements apply to overseas nationals who already have a work permit, and who want to take on additional work to that which their work permit was issued for. Under the following circumstances you may undertake additional work without further permission provided that the work is:

• Outside of their normal working hours;
• For no more than 20 hours per week;
• In the same profession and at the same professional level for which the holder’s work permit visa was issued; and
• Not for a recruitment agency, employment agency or similar business, which provide personnel to a client.

Yes, you are free to travel abroad whilst your work permit is valid for normal annual leave and company related travel.