As a job board, contractjobs.com is unable to supply or handle work permits and working visas. However, if you seek a work permit, there are a number of avenues to look down. Firstly it is important to determine whether or not you are eligible to work in the UK.
Permanent residents of the UK, British Nationals and European Nationals [EEA] do not need to apply to work in the UK. Anyone outside of these groups will need to apply for the right to work in the UK. This also includes educational work and full time study. Multiple permits are available for candidates with different needs including individuals who have been offered a job, ones that haven’t, religious workers, International press workers, postgraduate health workers and international government workers.
It may also be worth looking into if you are eligible for Permit Free Employment or the Working Holiday Scheme which both generally take less time to process.
Tier 1 programme, previously named the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, enables skilled individuals to gain a one year working visa, without the need of an actual job offer first. In order to be eligible for a tier 1Visa, individuals must have:
• English language proficiency
• Solid proof that you can support yourself without any UK funding
• Proof that indicates that you will remain in your chosen sector of work
• Evidence that shows you are aiming to make the UK your main home
• Proof that you have no criminal record/offences
• Proof that you have never gone bankrupt
A recruitment company or agency can play a big part of this process also. Although recruiters are unable to sponsor those they wish to place in specific jobs, they can obtain a Tier 1 visa for workers if their intentions are to contract skilled workers after they have obtained the right to work in the UK. Although contractjobs.com works with many recruitment agencies, we cannot influence or discuss sponsorship or the granting of visas directly with them. If you are unsure if the recruitment agency you are dealing with can help you with a visa, it is advisable to ask them directly through email or telephone.
Applicants should also note that to apply for this type of visa they have to fall within certain qualifying categories. Information on these categories can be found here.
Tier 2 Visas are also an option for skilled migrants. However, individuals wishing to gain a Tier 2 working Visa must have proof of an existing job offer from a UK employer. Included in Tier 2 are four categories:
• General: for individuals travelling to the UK on the grounds that they have received a job offer which is included on the shortage occupation list or not.
• Sporting individuals: This is applicable to Professional sportspeople who can prove that working in the UK will improve and develop their sport.
• Ministers of religion: Religious workers who have received a job offer within a missionary/religious order.
• Intra Company Transfers: This applies to employers within multi-national companies whom have been transferred.
Tier 2 visas are usually granted for periods of up to 3 years initially, but can be extended if needed. The Tier 2 application process may become more streamlined if the applicant’s job offer comes from a sector on the list of shortage occupations. Please note that there are other requirements for individuals who wish to obtain a tier 2 Visa, for more information on this please click here.
Recruitment agencies may not have much input into the process of acquiring Tier 2 working visas for migrant workers. However, they may be able to point you in the right direction and offer further advice. Again it is advisable to contact recruitment agencies directly to establish whether they can help you with this.