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UK Work PermitsUK Work Permits

Kim Vowden

University of Warwick

MBA Programme

4th October 2000

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SummarySummary

Who needs permission to work in the UK?

Working in the UK as a student

Work permits

Setting up a business in the UK

Family members

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Who needs permission to work in the UK?Who needs permission to work in the UK?

People who don’t need permission include:

British citizens and other EEA nationals

People with indefinite leave to remain

Commonwealth citizens with UK ancestry

Spouses and unmarried partners of people in these and other long stay categories

(eg. work permit holders)

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Working in the UK as a studentWorking in the UK as a student

Students can work subject to the following

conditions:

maximum 20 hours per week during term time except where placement is necessary part of studies as agreed by educational institution

no limit on hours during holidays

cannot engage in business, self-employment, professional sport/entertainment

must not fill a permanent full-time vacancy

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Work permit schemeWork permit scheme

Criteria for full work permit

Degree

Resident labour test:

recruitment search, eg. advertising, headhunt

OR

request waiver, eg. milkround search, unique skills

OR

tier 1 application exempt from resident labour test, eg. intracompany transfer, board level post, shortage occupation

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Work permit SchemeWork permit Scheme

Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES)

Work experience

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Work permit schemeWork permit scheme

Procedure

Employer applies to Department for Education and Employment in Sheffield

Processing time: 1 day to 4 weeks

Out of country/ in country applications

Full work permit valid for up to 4 years (5 years from 1st November 2000). After 4 years individual can apply for indefinite leave to remain

Permit valid for specified job with specified employer

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Self-employed/business personSelf-employed/business person

Individual must invest £200,000 of his or her own money into proposed or existing UK business and have controlling or equal interest in the business

Must create at least 2 full time jobs for UK residents

Entry clearance

Permission to stay in UK for 1 year - can renew for a further 3 years and apply for indefinite leave to remain after 4 years

EC Association Agreements

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InnovatorInnovator

New category - introduced 4th September 2000

No need for £200,000 investment or controlling interest (minimum 5% shareholding)

Points system for rating individual, business plan and benefits to UK

Entry clearance

Permission to stay in UK for 1 year - can renew for further 3 years and apply for indefinite leave to remain after 4 years

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Family membersFamily members

Spouse/ unmarried partner/ children

Entry clearance

No restriction on employment