UK Work Permit Types
Tier 1 UK work permits
Skills shortage occupation list
These Work Permits are for professions on the Skills Shortage Occupation List. These permits do not require evidence proving that a resident worker could not be found. The Home Office recognises that there is a shortage of people in the UK with shortage occupations.
Intra-company transfer
This Work Permit is designed to allow overseas employers to bring key members of staff to their UK office.
Board level post
These work permits are for board level posts. The candidate must have daily input into the strategic direction of the company. Normally a minimum of three years of board level experience at the level of the post on offer is expected.
Inward investment
These work permits are for posts that are connected to an inward investment from a company overseas, bringing jobs and money to the UK. The minimum investment needed to qualify is £250,000. A business plan showing the details of the investment will be required.
Sponsored researchers
Someone with a job overseas who is still being paid for that job, and has come to the UK to undertake a period of research at an employer or a host organisation may qualify for a sponsored researcher work permit. The funding for the research can remain overseas, be transferred to the UK employer/host, or be arranged and paid by UK employer/host.
Someone on sabbatical who comes to the UK to undertake research at a UK employer or host organisation, with funding arranged and paid by the UK employer/host may also qualify.
This is not an exhaustive list. You may be able to employee somebody with circumstances that fall outside of the criteria above.
Tier 2 UK Work Permits
These are issued by the Home Office for those professions that do not fall into the Tier 1 Work Permit category.
General Business and Commercial
These Work Permits are the most common work permit, enabling UK-based employers to recruit people from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to fill a vacancy that may otherwise be filled by a 'resident worker'.
Post Graduate Doctors and Dentists
This category is for postgraduate doctors and dentists to undertake further training in the UK in the NHS. It covers General Practice Registrar, Foundation Programme, Specialist Registrar, and Senior House Officer posts.
