Work Permits and visas
- Highly Skilled Migrant Programme - An alternative to the work permit scheme
The procedure for work permit applications is different depending on the situation:
The employee is currently in the UK on a work permit for a different employer:
- A new work permit application will need to be made to Work Permits UK
- A Further Leave to Remain (IED) application will need to be made at the same time to enable the employee to take up work at the new employer.
The employee is currently in the UK on a work permit for the same employer and needs an extension to do a similar job:
- A work permit extension application will need to be made with Work Permits UK.
- A Further Leave to Remain (IED) application will need to be made at the same time to enable the employee to take up work at the new employer.
The employee is currently outside the UK and wishes to take up a new job in the UK:
- A new work permit application will need to be made to Work Permits UK
- Once the work permit is approved, a visa application will need to be made at the British Embassy or Consulate where the employee is resident. The visa is endorsed in the employee's passport.
Once the visa is approved at a British Embassy or Consulate or a further leave to remain (IED) application is approved from within the UK it gives the employer permission to employ a specific person in a specific job at a specific location.