Whether you are an employer trying to recruit a foreign national, a highly skilled individual hoping to relocate or stay in the United Kingdom, fastUKpermit can help.

The UK Work Permit and the Tier 1 (General) visa scheme are the two primary permit categories that lead towards UK residency. We provide support for permit, visa, ILR, and Citizenship applications on behalf of employers and direct applicants.

Work Permits

UK Work Visas allow skilled migrants to bring desirable skills and experience to the British workforce. British companies can sponsor an overseas worker by applying for a UK work permit. Business-based British visas take a variety of forms and fastUKpermit can help you gain UK entry clearance by applying for work-related immigration through several routes.

If you have a job offer from a UK employer or you are a UK employer that is preparing to make an offer of employment to a foreign national, then you should consider an employer sponsored UK work permit. An employer sponsored UK work permit will allow the employee to work for the sponsoring employer for up to five years at a time, and leads to UK residency.

With an employer sponsored UK work permit, an employee can only work for the employer that sponsors the work permit.

Our lawyers provide experienced representation when making work permit applications.

HSMP has been replaced: Introducing Tier 1 (General) Visas

One of the most popular forms of immigration to the UK has been the HSMP. The HSMP has been replaced by Tier 1 of the UK's new five-tier points-based system, which will include all work, study, and training immigration routes into the country. People seeking extensions to their HSMP visa are now required to extend their leave to remain under Tier 1 for General Highly Skilled Migrants. The changes will mean that you will now need to apply for highly skilled migrant applications under Tier 1 either for initial application, or for extending an existing HSMP permit.

Tier 1 visa applications will be assessed on a range of criteria. Each sub-category within tier 1 will require satisfaction of various requirements. The following requirements apply:

• English Language proficiency ? the PBS places heavy emphasis on competence in the English Language throughout tier 1.
• Self-sufficiency ? all migrants in tier 1 must evidence that they are able to support themselves and any dependant family members.

Unlike other tiers, Tier 1 applicants do not need to arrange for a sponsor ahead of obtaining the visa. Tier 1 (General) visas allow skilled individuals to enter or to stay in the UK and search for work, without having a prior offer of employment. The Tier 1 visa application will be a single process whether initiated from within, or outside the UK, and you will need to submit a range of supporting documentation in order to substantiate your application. You may apply for a Tier 1 visa either to enter the UK, extend a stay, or switch whilst already in the UK.

As Tier 1 immigration is designed for skilled migrants immigrating to the UK for a long-term to permanent stay, a successful applicant may bring their dependants, including their Spouse, Civil Partner, Unmarried Partner, and/or children with them. However the main applicant must demonstrate their ability to support and maintain their dependants in the UK. These dependants will be eligible to work.

The permit allows you to work in the UK for any employer, or even as a self-employed person.

After working in the UK for five years, you can then apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, commonly known as Permanent Residence. Applicants in the (General) category will be granted a three-year visa, with the option to extend this by a further two years as long as the requirements continue to be satisfied. Our lawyers are specialists in dealing with Tier 1 (General) applications.

 

If you would like further information and personal advice on working in the UK, please contact us now.

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