[louise77]

I have just moved to London for certain reasons, and am looking for work, preferably in my field. I am at mid-range level experience wise and have a degree and post-graduate diploma. I guess what I'm looking to find out is is it possible to get a work permit (i.e. sponsored by a company) without being at a level to get one through the HSMP scheme? I know the option is there but I haven't met anyone, or heard of anyone who has obtained a work permit this way. I would like to hear any of your experiences if you have tried successfully (or unsuccessfully) this way? I have applied to many jobs and told the truth of my status and haven't heard anything.

Thanks!

[moza]

well dear , i havent heard of an option like that , but there are about 2 million companies that specialize in this stuff. just look at the legal/visa/money section on this website , choose one and call. u dont like what they tell u , call another one. its very simple.

[Kiwi]

Hi Louise, I have a degree and Postgraduate diploma also, and although my qualifications do not match my current roles I still managed to be sponsored by the government! The public sector is very good if you can provide them with a skill set that meets their needs. You don't need to be educated in that area, just be able to fulfill the requirements of the job and be enthustistic in your work. Most people I know have got like myself a five year work permit through this avenue. I am not sure the private sector is given the same time frames for their visas.

By the sounds of it you are in a great position to be sponsored, you need to find permanent employment though.

[louise77]

Kiwi, thanks for your reply! I wanted to confirm that it is possible to get sponsored so it is good to hear a story like yours. I also have public sector experience from Canada so will definitely check that out. Thanks for the tip!

[Guest]

[Avi]

Hi there

The following points may help:

1. Employers normally dont feel too comfortable about accepting applicants who dont have a right to work in the UK.
2. Private as well as Public employers can apply for a WP
3. There are two main types or WP - The B&C (Business and Commercial) visa which is normally for 5 Years and the TWES (Training and Work Experience Visa) which is normally for 3 years and normally available to professionals who need training in their respective fields.
4. The B&C is the preferred option for many as it is more flexible than the TWES. The main drawback of TWES is that the holder must return to their country when it expires. The B&C however can result in indefinite stay if the holder has worked satisfactorily for 4 years.
5. What you need to do is to find employer who need your skills and experience and try to convince them to get you a workpermit. All that is required is a job offer and you can then hire a solicitor to handle your case. Many Solicitors have a no win no fee type charging scheme. The fee varies however a good solicitor will probably charge around a £ 1000 for the full case. I personally believe going to a solicitor is worth the money if they can get you a 5 years B&C visa.
6. Based on my experience candidates who require Work authorisation to work in the UK are not entertained by agencies. So you would need to contact employers directly.
7. The other option is the HSMP which by far is the best for people wishing to work in the UK and go for permanent residency at the end. HSMP is more flexible as you can work for any employer and dont need a job offer as long as you fulfil the criteria. You may want to consider it as a option seriously

I hope this helps

Avi

[lior]

avi , your the man!!!
how do you know all this staff? are you an immigretion worker , or a former immigrent?
keep giving good advice.

[hello_hi]

[haijee25]

You need to be equal to UK degree level. If this is so and you do ave some experience as well, you will definitely find jobs that can provide you with work permit. You should tell more about yourself like your qualification, experience, nationality etc.

[lynn]

Check out www.breytenbachs.com they are solicitors in London who will assess your circumstances and give you the best advice on which route to follow, it is a free assessment you do on line. The are brilliant they helped me get my visa

[v]

hi guys,

thank you so much for your information.

i am about to apply the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme. I have been told that it is sort of Work Permit. But I am not sure sure about that. And would like to ask how to extend the Science and engineering graduates scheme please.


Do shout if you can help me out.

cheers
v

[v]

hi guys,

thank you so much for your information.

i am about to apply the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme. I have been told that it is sort of Work Permit. But I am not sure sure about that. And would like to ask how to extend the Science and engineering graduates scheme please.


Do shout if you can help me out.

cheers
v

[Kyle]

AVI - great advice, it took me over £2,000 to find the right company. I have an MBA from Florida State, which I was told would help me to find a good job. I did find a job but they wanted me to do the running around for the ork permit.

I wanted to do it on the cheap and decided to do the papaer work myself after reading a lot on information and getting tips from people who'd been through the process. I gave all the information to my potential employer and the application was refused - the company then dumped me.

I went to IAS as someone above mentioned, and three different people gave me conflicting advice. A flat mate said she heard a company called Breytenbacs (or something like that) was good. They charged me to see them and their advice was terrible.

I did find another employer willing to get a work permit for me, but again I had to do the running around. The company made the application and it was refused based on advertising.

I did find a company who are absolutely brilliant and somehow got the refusal overturned - I have recommended lots of people to them. I want to mention their name but I don't want this to seem like an advert by them.

All I will say is there are many employers who will give you a chance, but they are hard to find. There are many agencies out there, but few who give honest and clear advice (and for free). I have now been here for two years and I am having a great time.

As for the IAS, I think the person who wrote that comment must work for them or must of had some baaad advice from a bad agency.

[T in Kentish T]

Kyle--I'm curious about the agency you used, as I do not know which agencies to trust. If you wouldn't mind sharing, please do. Thanks!

[Guest]

hi Kyle, could be so kind as to please email me their info, my email is pieterkleynhans@gmail.com
thanx a lot m8.

[Guest2]

Hi , kyle

could please email me their info, my email is zahir.farhan@gmail.com

cheers

[Guest]

anybody with info please???
email me at pieterkleynhans@gmail.com

[4ANAN]

hai ya,
by luckly i found ur reply form this web side.
i also have the same problums like to .people are demotivating me,some times i planned to go back my home country also.
whoelse the people have the bad expereince they only help to others,by the wise am expecting the same from u.
could u tell me the solicitors and details it could be very useful for me.

IF U KNOW SOME ONE DOING THIS KIND OF WORKPERMIT COULD U SEND ME THE DETAILS ,PLEASE

thank u.

[4anan]

HAI KYLE,

if u don't mind could u send me the agency info please.
i am really thankful to you in my whole life ,why am saying this means i lost somuch of money and time and lot.
i hate this life alos because of some stupid solicitors guidence-i had very very bad and sad experience also.

whatever the details u know ,pls forward to mail id
m4anan21@yahoo.co.uk

thank u kyle

[Mandy]

How easy is it to follow up the HSMP on your own? I have been trying to at least get application form for this but I have failed. Could someone advise on the best way to get HSMP.

Manday

[Guest]

Hi Kyle,

Can you please send me the name of the company to:
kirin1980@go2.pl

Big thanks and cheers!

[peckham]

kyle

if you could email me the name of the company too that would be most appreciated

thanks in advance!

wagedwards@hotmail.com

[pinky]

[Bipolar Bear]

I just got my initial 1 year LTR granted - it took 6 working days from the day i posted it to the day i got it back. I imagine the renewal would take the same length of time.

[Guest]

Extremely interesting reading.....I work for a recruitment agency that specialises in IT and Engineering / Construction. We will happily sponsor anybody that has good skills that we can place with our clients, the Dept Of Work & P in Sheffield charges £150 for us to process a work permit although we go for Tier 2 applications (rare skill sets in the UK).....we do NOT charge our applicants ANYTHING at all (as we get a placement fee from the client). There are no laws against actually giving out work permits, you just have to follow the guidelines. What we ask our applicants to provide is the the last 3 years references (on headed paper) copy of passport signed by a Justice Of The Peace and copies of education certificates (again signed by a JP). The whole process at the moment is taking 2-3 weeks to turn around. If people are charging £1,000 that means they are pocketing £850 for their time which is a rip off....the forms take 25 minutes to fill out....I know because I have bee doing these applications for 7 years.......this obviously doesn't apply to everyone, only those with good skills.....Hope this has given some of you some help....