The Work Permit scheme is part of immigration control. It is intended to allow for the employment of overseas nationals whose presence here will benefit the UK economy, whilst protecting the long term interests of the resident EEA Work Force.

The employment of overseas nationals often brings important benefits to the UK by helping attract investment, is a catalyst for the creation of new jobs, quells critical skill shortages and enables employers to access and recruit the best people from around the world.

Thus, the UK Work Permit Scheme permits employers to recruit or transfer people from outside the European Union when qualified people are not readily available. International companies can also transfer staff to and from the UK to make best use of their skills and experience.

The UK also helps other countries to increase their number of trained workers by allowing young people to gain training and work experience, which is not readily available to them elsewhere.

A new criminal offence was introduced under Section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996: As an employer you are liable to prosecution if you employ a foreign national who does NOT have permission, or the correct visa to work in the UK.

It is therefore vital that your company holds the correct Work Permit to employ an overseas national in a professional post. For more detailed advice about the law concerning the prevention of illegal working, please see Employers Information.
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