[katrinalee]

I am currently General Manager of a restaurant/ bar in the midlands, and my visa is about to run out in September. My boss thinks the easiest thing is just to pay someone to look after it, i just don't know. Very complicated because i don't really want to stay in the job for much longer than the summer. Does anyone have any tips on whether i should apply now myself and see how i go (any stories with catering work permits would be greatly appreciated) or whether i look for a new job with a work permit.
Anything that doesn't include leaving my english boyfriend behind.

[gbgirl]

[nayan.raj]

Hi Kyle,

Can you please give me the company details? I am also looking forward for a company which can help me in getting the work permit.

Thanks,
- Nayan

[james_fonseca]

Me too looking for company which can get me work permit.
Also can anybody suggest me the names of the agencies which can processed my HSMP visa and what will be thier charges.
If anybody knows about the employers who can provide me the work permit or the agencies who can processed HSMP visa, please write it to me on james_fonseca@rediffmail.com.

Thanks & Regards,
James

[jh-khan]

Hi,
I am an overseas student in UK and about to get graduate in next month or so. I am desperately looking for a job and have actually applied to dozens but haven't had any positive response. I guess one of the main reasons for that is that I need a work permit to work in UK. However, in order to get work permit first of all I need a job offer and then the employer has to apply for a work permit on my behalf so on and so forth.
Therefore, I am looking for an employer who not only can offer me a job but also apply for a work permit on my behalf. I have also signed up with dozens of recruitment agnencies online but again no positive response. If someone can sent me the details of a specialist recruitment agency (or a list of them) that can sort me out plus any other useful advice. I would be extremely greatful.
Many thanks
J H Khan

[jh-khan]

Hi,
I am an overseas student in UK and about to get graduate in next month or so. I am desperately looking for a job and have actually applied to dozens but haven't had any positive response. I guess one of the main reasons for that is that I need a work permit to work in UK. However, in order to get work permit first of all I need a job offer and then the employer has to apply for a work permit on my behalf so on and so forth.
Therefore, I am looking for an employer who not only can offer me a job but also apply for a work permit on my behalf. I have also signed up with dozens of recruitment agnencies online but again no positive response. If someone can sent me the details of a specialist recruitment agency (or a list of them) that can sort me out plus any other useful advice to j-h-khan@hotmail.co.uk. I would be extremely greatful.
Many thanks
J H Khan

[roynn]

[roynn]

[zamanam]

Hi guys,

I want to apply for a work permit, i am an accountant from london and found an employer who is willing to give me a permit. but not willing to readvertise the post for 28 day. do any one of you have your letters for advertisement of job, so i can use same format and can apply for work permit myself. Also can u please tell me which website is best for application, less cost is much better?

I will really appreciate your help,

cheers,

Amber

[zamanam]

Hi guys,

I want to apply for a work permit, i am an accountant from london and found an employer who is willing to give me a permit. but not willing to readvertise the post for 28 day. can you help me in placing advert. letters for advertisement of job, so i can use same format and can apply for work permit myself. Also can u please tell me which website is best for application, less cost is much better?

I will really appreciate your help,

cheers,

Amber

[rsarwar]

Hi,
This have been pretty informative for me. Thanks guys.

Kyle,
If you are still reading this thread, would you be kind enough to send me the contact of the source you used for your work permit. (rsarwar at gmail dot com)

[Avi01]

Hi There!

Please see info below re workpermits. I know its quite a bit of detail but its definitely useful and will answer a lot of questions.

B&C internal guidance
Overview of the Work Permit Arrangements

AN OVERVIEW OF THE WORK PERMIT ARRANGEMENTS
• Introduction
• Business and Commercial
• Training and Work Experience
• Sports and Entertainment
• Student Internships
• General Agreement on Trade in Services
• Sectors Based Scheme
• Type of Application
• Length of Permits
• Two Tier Application Procedure
• Consideration of Tier 1 cases
• Consideration of Tier 2 cases
• Recognised Degree Level or Equivalent Qualifications
• Self Employment
• Part time Employment
• Supplementary Employment
Introduction
The work permit scheme allows UK employers to recruit or transfer people from
outside the European Economic Area (EEA) while safeguarding the interests of
resident workers in the UK. The EEA countries are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia,
Lithuania, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United
Kingdom. Switzerland is not a member of the EEA, but since June 2002, Swiss
nationals and their families benefit from similar rights to EEA nationals on freedom of
movement and work.
A work permit is a document that, when used together with other relevant papers
such as a passport or visa, allows a person from overseas to enter the UK to work.
If a work permit is granted when the applicant is out of the UK, it takes the form of a
permit document, on secure paper. If the applicant is already in the UK it takes the
form of a letter of permission.
Certain nationalities, known as visa nationals, need to obtain a visa before travelling
to the UK. In addition, all work permit holders who wish to come to the UK for more
than 6 months must obtain entry clearance (this includes non-visa nationals). If
clearance is granted it will be for the full period of their stay as stated on the work
permit.
If coming in from overseas, the individual presents the work permit to an Immigration
Officer at the port of entry. If the Immigration Officer is satisfied that the work permit
holder meets the Leave to Enter requirements of the Immigration Rules, they will
grant leave to enter the UK in order to work. A stamp or endorsement will be placed
B&C internal guidance
Overview of the Work Permit Arrangements
in the person’s passport or travel document which will determine the person’s
conditions of stay in the UK.
If the individual is already in the UK, and if the work permit application from the
employer is approved, they will be required to make a separate application for
Further Leave to Remain (FLR). This stage of the application process should usually
only be undertaken after work permit permission has been approved. The
immigration consideration is a separate decision from the work permit application
consideration and is undertaken by the In-Country Teams within Work Permits (UK).
There are several application types within the work permit arrangements:
Business and Commercial
The Business and Commercial arrangements allow employers in this country to
recruit people from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) where the post
cannot filled by a “resident worker”.
Training and Work Experience Scheme
The Training and Work Experience Scheme arrangements enables employers to
take on people from outside the EEA to undertake work-based training for a
professional or specialist qualification, or a period of work experience in posts that
are additional to the employer’s normal staffing requirements.
Sports and Entertainments
The Sports and Entertainments arrangements allow employers in this country to
employ established sportspeople, entertainers, cultural artists and some
technical/support people from outside the EEA.
Student Internships
The Student Internship arrangements allow students from outside the EEA studying
first or higher degree courses overseas to undertake an internship with an employer
in this country.
General Agreement on Trade in Services
These arrangements allow employees of companies that are based outside the EEA
to work in the UK on a service contract awarded to their employer by a UK-based
organisation. This is a special arrangement within the normal work permit rules made
under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
Sectors Based Scheme
The Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) allows workers from outside of the EEA to enter
the UK to take short-term or casual jobs. The work is low skilled and only available in

B&C internal guidance
Overview of the Work Permit Arrangements
two sectors: the hospitality industry (hotel and catering work); and the food
manufacturing industries (meat and fish processing and mushroom processing only).
TYPE OF APPLICATION
There are five main types of work permit application:
Work Permit: Issued when the individual for whom the work permit is sought is
outside the UK.
Multiple Entry Work Permits (Business & Commercial and Sports and
Entertainments): This category of permit allows employees who are based
overseas to enter the UK on a regular basis within the period of the permit to work
for the same employer. There is a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 24
months on this type of permit. Applicants must be outside of the UK when making
this type of application and applicants cannot switch into other parts of the Work
Permit arrangements.
First Permission: Issued whilst the person is inside the UK without any current
leave as a work permit holder, i.e. they are here under another immigration category,
e.g. student.
Extension: Issued whilst the person is inside the UK and the employer wishes to
extend their existing work permit, to continue doing the same job, training or work
experience for the same employer. Applications should be received at least one
month but no more than three months before the person’s permission to stay in this
country runs out.
Change of Employment (CoE): Issued whilst the person is inside the UK and they are
required to take a job with a different employer, or to change jobs within the same company.
LENGTH OF PERMITS
Business & Commercial
The maximum period approval can be given for a Business & Commercial work
permit is 60 months (i.e. 5 years).
The employer must state the period for which they require the overseas national.
Where the employer seeks a permit for less than five years caseworkers should
recommend approval for the period sought unless there are other reasons to restrict
the permit. Where caseworkers restrict permits, they must tell the employer in the
approval letter why they are restricting the period of the permit.
Where an application requests a time range, for example 2 - 3 years, then
caseworkers should telephone the employer or representative and determine an
exact period.
B&C internal guidance
Overview of the Work Permit Arrangements
Training
TWES permits can be approved for the average time we would expect someone to
complete the particular training up to a maximum period of five years.
Work Experience
In general, most work experience programmes should not to exceed 12 months.
Work Permits (UK) can only approve an extension to a work experience permit
where there are exceptional circumstances. A period up to an overall maximum of
24 months can be approved if justified.
Student Internships
The person must be a student at a college or university overseas and approval will
be given for a maximum of three months.
Sectors Based Scheme
Individuals may be given permission to work in the UK in Sectors Based Scheme
employment for a maximum period of twelve months.

TWO-TIER APPLICATION PROCEDURE

A two-tier procedure is used for making Business and Commercial work permit
applications - Tier 1 and Tier 2. The system aims to reduce the supporting
documentation that employers must provide in straightforward cases that would
normally merit approval.
Tier 1 applications involve a simplified procedure, which includes an exemption from
the need to receive evidence of a recruitment search from the employer and
evidence of qualifications.
Tier 2 applications require more evidence to be submitted. Caseworkers should
assess evidence of experience and/or qualifications of the overseas national and
evidence of a recruitment search.
The WP1 application form has two distinct sections that relate to each tier.
Employers need only complete the Tier 1 part of the form if their application fits into
one or more of the Tier 1 categories, or the Tier 2 part in all other cases. In all cases
the general details should be completed. The two-part form applies only to B&C
applications. It does not apply to cases handled by the Sports and Entertainment
section (ENTS), or to cases under the Training and Work Experience Scheme
(TWES).
The UK employer must sign the application form in all cases. If the employer uses
an external representative, the representative must sign the representative
declaration. The work permit applicant must not sign the employer’s declaration. If
the employer or representative fail to sign the form, the application should be
returned to them for a signature.
B&C internal guidance
Overview of the Work Permit Arrangements
If an organization has no employee in the UK with authority to sign and the person
does not qualify for sole representative status under the Immigration Rules, the
employer declaration may be signed by a UK registered Solicitor, but not by any
other agent. Caseworkers will require a letter of authorization from the employer
stating the solicitor has permission to sign on their behalf.

CONSIDERATION OF TIER 1 CASES

When completing Tier 1 of the application form WP1, employers are asked to select
the relevant Tier 1 category that applies to their application according to their view of
the post on offer.
There will be occasions where the employer has selected a Tier 1 category that, on
closer examination, does not apply. They may also have claimed more than one Tier
1 category. In such cases, caseworkers should consider whether the case falls into
any of the other Tier 1 categories, or which is the most appropriate Tier 1 category
for that particular application.
If the application clearly does not fall into any Tier 1 category, caseworkers should
contact the employer and ask them to complete the Tier 2 part of the application
form so that the case can be considered under Tier 2. Letter L601 should be used to
request this information.
For Tier 1 applications, there is no need for the employer to attach supporting
documentation to confirm that the overseas national holds qualifications and/or
experience to undertake the job on offer. However, caseworkers should check that
all relevant questions have been completed and the replies are acceptable to meet
the Work Permits (UK) criteria. Furthermore, the employer does not need to
advertise the post on offer, since it is accepted that advertising would be either
inappropriate or unproductive.
Tier 1 categories, explained in more detail below, are as follows:
• ICTs – i.e. transfers within international companies (Intra-Company
Transfers);
• Board Level – i.e. senior board level posts or equivalent;
• Inward Investment – i.e. cases involving an overseas company making a
substantial investment in the UK company;
• Shortage Occupations – i.e. cases where the occupation is recognised by us
as being in acute short supply in the UK and the EEA;
• Sponsored Researchers.
Applications can only be treated under a Tier 1 category when the post and worker
meet the occupational skills criteria of the work permit arrangements. In some cases,
higher levels of qualifications and/or experience than the minimum skills criteria may
be required.

CONSIDERATION OF TIER 2 CASES
B&C internal guidance
Overview of the Work Permit Arrangements
For Tier 2 applications, employers must provide supporting evidence to demonstrate
that the application meets the Work Permits (UK) criteria. In order to establish that a
genuine vacancy exists, employers are normally required to undertake a recruitment
search from the resident labour market. Caseworkers should ensure the
advertisement meets the work permit criteria and copies of qualifications possessed
by the worker should be submitted. Experience gained whilst on a TWES permit can
be included in the assessment of the case.
Please note - Work Permits (UK) never waive the criteria relevant to the level of the
post.
RECOGNISED DEGREE LEVEL OR EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATIONS
In order to meet the occupational skills criteria the job must require the individual to
have either:
• A UK equivalent degree level qualification; or
• An Higher National Level (HND) level occupational qualification that is
relevant to the post on offer; or
• An HND level qualification which is not relevant to the post on offer, plus
12 months of relevant full-time work experience; or
• At least 3 years relevant experience at NVQ level 3 or above.
If caseworkers are in doubt about the level of a particular qualification they can
check with UK National Academic Recognition Information Center (NARIC).
Instructions on how to access NARIC are available on the infozone at (not sure
where yet but will amend when information becomes available).
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority may also provide further information if
needed. They can be contacted on www.qca.org.uk
Work experience gained by an overseas national who entered the UK illegally, or
who entered the UK under a provision of the Immigration Rules that prevented them
from working cannot be taken into consideration.
SELF-EMPLOYMENT
Work permits are not issued for self-employment. Those seeking to establish a new
business or to work for a business that they already own or in which they already
own shares should apply under the provisions of the Immigration Rules relating to
self-employment
PART TIME EMPLOYMENT
Work permits are normally issued for full time employment. However, permits can be
issued for part time employment as long as the job and worker meet the criteria of
the work permit arrangements and the caseworker is satisfied a genuine vacancy
B&C internal guidance
Overview of the Work Permit Arrangements
exists. Cases should not be refused on recourse to public funds, as this is part of
the Immigration Rules NOT part of the work permit criteria. The National Minimum
Wage (NMW) needs to be met and we will also need to ensure the individual is
receiving the going rate for the job pro rata.
SUPPLEMENTARY EMPLOYMENT
This applies to an overseas national who already has a work permit and wishes to
take work additional to that for which the permit was issued. The work permit holder
may do so without further permission from this department provided the work:
• is outside of their normal working hours; and
• is no more than 20 hours per week; and
• is in the same profession and at the same professional level for which the
holder’s work permit was issued; and
• is not employed by a recruitment agency, employment agency or similar
business to provide personnel to a client.
The work permit holder is not allowed to enter self-employment, set up a
business or join another business as a director or partner. If a work permit holder
wishes to be self employed or set up a business he/she will need to apply to
colleagues elsewhere in the Home Office for leave to remain for this purpose.
When providing supplementary employment, employers must ensure that the
National Minimum Wage and Working Time Regulations are met. More information
on the European Working Time Directive can be found on the Department for Trade
& Industry (DTI) website on www.dti.gov.uk/er
Where an application is received and the Director, who has established the
business, is found to be holding a work permit for another employer, the case should
be refused. In such an instance the Director of the company is working in breach of
his conditions of stay and paragraph P874 should be used. This should not be
mistaken for applications where the Director of the company has not established the
business and has a valid work permit as a Director of the company in question.
Such individuals will be employees with valid permission and part of their job may
entail the recruitment of staff.
_____________________________________________________________

I know a number of people who have managed to secure a B&C (2 Tier)visa either on their own or through a solicitor (no win no fee basis). However you need to have an offer from an employer if you wish to apply for a work permit. You would also have to provide all the necessary backup for your application such as previous employer references and your educational certificates etc. If you would like the name of a solicitor then please contact me on k_avais@hotmail.com. I have referred a number of people to this solicitor and so far the success rate has been 99%.

Please note that for 2 Tier applications the employer needs to advertise the post in a suitable medium such as newspapers or recruitment websites. The Reed website offers a free job advertisement service. However I would personally suggest advertising on more than one website even if you have to pay some many money for it, to strengthen your case.

If your employer has not applied for a work permit in the past then you would also be required to submit their financial accounts for the most recent year with the application.

_____________________________________________________________


Some Tips:


1. You should back up your application with as much information as possible - Please make sure however that you dont give information that is irrelevant
2. Try to present the case in a nice manner. Remember the case worker is a human being and the case depends on the judgement of the case worker. There is a set guideline that he/she needs to adhere to - but in the end it is his/her opinion that counts on whether you meet a certain criterion or not.
3. Try and arrange the doumentation in such as way so that its easy for the case worker to follow - The easier it is for the case worker to pick up the information the quicker your case will be processed and the quicker the response. Remember these people are under a lot of pressure as there are hundreds on cases being dealt with everyday.
4. If you are going to apply through a solicitor make sure you understand their charges fully. Please also try and get some suitable references e.g by obtaining contact details of people who have applied through their agency successfully.

I hope this information is of help. Good luck with your job search and work permit applications.

[Avi01]

[b]Advertisements[/b]

I would suggest the following websites:

1. The Reed website - http://www.reed.co.uk/freecruitment.aspx
This a free service

2. Monster website - This is one of the favourite ones for Home Office case workers.

http://hiring.monster.co.uk/products/bridgepage.aspx?bpredirect=http%3a%2f%2fhiring.monster.co.uk%2fjobs%2fcreatetitle.aspx

My friend had his advertisement placed on monster for around 270 pounds but it was effective especially when they had objected to the reed advertisement. So in effect he submitted proofs of two advertisement (reed as well as monster) which strengthened his case quite a bit.

I hope this helps








Hi guys,

I want to apply for a work permit, i am an accountant from london and found an employer who is willing to give me a permit. but not willing to readvertise the post for 28 day. can you help me in placing advert. letters for advertisement of job, so i can use same format and can apply for work permit myself. Also can u please tell me which website is best for application, less cost is much better?

I will really appreciate your help,

cheers,

Amber

[englishman]

avi01

bored after about 2 lines

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Avi01]

Thanks for the comment - its boring i agree - but guess what - its English!!





[quote]
englishman


avi01

bored after about 2 lines

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz[/quote]

[patrickuy]

[eshi79]

Hay there,
I am in IT graduate from Australia and with nrealy 2 years expeerience in the IT industry. I am currently in the UK now desperately looking for a job in the IT indusrty and failed as I dont have the necessary work permits. I cant do the HSMP coz I cannot show the expected earnings. I was so relievedto see your message and that you are ina recruitment agaency which helps sponsoring IT people. Please I desperately need your help , I can mail you my CV and the certifications etc. My email address is lowe_esh@yahoo.com. PLease mail me so I can contact you on how to go about this. Thanks everyone for sharing all the god information.

Ciao

[eshi79]

hay there,
I would like to get information about the agency that helped you with getting the work permit. Please send me the contact details to lowe_esh@yahoo.com. Thanks for your great help!

[jim_preet]

I m currently on SEGS. Could u pls tell me wht i have to do to reach the ur recruitment agency? Can u explain a bit more..
i would b thankful

[sarita3000]

Hi people, I'm trying to get some information for a friend of mine, who is looking for a work permit, he has a MBA from Hull University UK strategic marketting and brand management, he then helped a business specialising in traditional and bespoke furniture in India, to increase sales by improving their brand name and source buyers by creating new markets,

He now would really like to work in the UK to improve his corporate skills, does anybody know of any companies that are willing to apply for work permits???????????????????????

PLEASE HELP!!

[sarita3000]

[kkhere]

Hi Kyle

I've seen a lot of forum members who were interested in knowing the name of this agency. I myself know a Company who does this but didn't work for me as my pay was only 25k and they prefer IT contractors with jobs paying them 30 quid an hour. I've a job offer in the field of Construction but am desperately looking for WP. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Kumar

[kkhere]

Hi

If you happen to see this message, here I am with skills, experience and job offers...........all I need is WORK PERMIT...........doesn't matter if your agency is gonna show me the job. I specialise in Building Surveying/Project Management and have over 5 years experience. Please help if you can.

Sorry if I sounded a bit desperate.

Many Thanks
Kumar

[sumitsapra]

[sumitsapra]