Content - Candidate Eligibility

A Work Permit application is submitted for a named person to do a specific job, and normally on a full-time basis.

The first thing to know is that the employee (or potential employee) cannot apply for a UK Work Permit without the support of a sponsoring UK employer.

You will need to submit signed references (original may be required later) from past employers on their headed paper that verify the candidate's work experience. If these documents are NOT in English you will also need to include translations.

Statements that only describe the candidate to be of good character will NOT suffice. They should include start & finish dates, details of work roles and experience that makes them qualified to do the job.

Work Permits are normally only issued for people who EITHER:

Possess a UK equivalent degree qualification; or

Possess a Higher National Diploma (HND) level occupational qualification relevant to the post on offer; or

Possess a Higher National Diploma (HND) level qualification which if not relevant to the post on offer; must have one year's relevant work experience.

For some professions (e.g.: doctors, dentists and nurses) where the employee needs to be registered with appropriate UK Professional Organization (e.g. GMC, UKCC, GDC, RCVS) the candidate registration number can be accepted as proof that the individual meets the qualifying criteria.

If the qualification is NOT relevant to the job being applied for, then the DfEE would expect the candidate to have at least one years relevant work experience. (i.e. if the candidate is required for a job in the banking industry, but has a computer science qualification, then the DfEE would expect to see one years relevant experience at NVQ Level 3 in the banking industry.)

Where none of the above qualifications are possessed:

The candidate will need to have a minimum requirement of 3 years relevant experience at NVQ level 3 in high level specialist skills, acquired through doing the type of job for which the permit is being sought.

Those who would qualify include:
- head or second chefs
- specialist chefs with skills in preparing ethnic cuisine
- those with occupational skills and language or cultural skills NOT readily available in the EEA.

NOTE: The list above is just a guideline and there are exceptions. For more information see qualification equivalents.

Disclaimer: Any material contained on these web pages is intended solely for general information purposes and should NOT be construed as formal (or informal) advice. You are strongly encouraged to seek formal advice before relying upon any information contained herein, since such advice requires an evaluation of one's precise factual circumstances. Definitive Work Permits and all of its employees disclaim any and all liability resulting from the reliance upon such information.

Privacy | Contact Us | Definitive Work Permits Tuesday, May 13 2008