Obtaining a work permit

You cannot apply for a work permit by yourself-your employer must apply for you.

There are a few things for you to consider:

• Applications cost GBP153.
• There must be a genuine vacancy to fill. The job must be advertised nationally and you must go through the normal job application process (interview etc)
• Your employer also has to prove that there is no other suitably qualified person who already has permission to work in the UK who can do the job.
• Work permits are not issued for unskilled jobs.

You must not confuse a work permit with permission to work for full time students. They are both different.

You can continue to work in the UK while your permission to stay in the UK as a student continues (including after graduation) but when this expires you must leave the UK.