What is a work permit? Work permits are issued by Work Permits (UK), part of the Home Office's Immigration and Nationality Directorate. A work permit relates to a specific individual and a particular job. The work permit scheme enables UK employers to recruit or transfer key personnel from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) while safeguarding the interests of the resident labour force in the UK. Work permits may also be issued to overseas nationals to enable them to come to the UK for training or work experience.
There are four types of work permit: 1. ordinary work permits (TWES) 2. Multiple Entry Work Permits (MEWPs) introduced in November 2001. 3. letters of approval, used in place of individual work permits when a large group of persons (20 or more) are travelling together 4. Sectors Based Work Permit Scheme.
Are there any exceptions? The Immigration Rules have provision for people to be admitted to the UK to undertake certain types of employment without a work permit. For information on these categories please refer to the British High Commission. |