Work Permits: Guidance for Departments

Work Permits: Guidance for Departments

The HR Department will work with the candidate and faculty/department when applying for work permits. This document is just to make you aware of the options and process’ that takes place.

There are various types of work permits that both employees and the University can apply for. This is a comprehensive list of the main types that employees / Universityuse, however, further detailed information can be found at the UK Visa & Immigration (UKV&I) website;

As a general rule Employees/Applicants will only need to apply for a work permit if they are a non EU citizen. However, please contact your HR Officer if you are unsure on a person’s right to work in the UK.

Tier 1: High Value Migrants

Tier 1 work permits are applied for by the employee/applicant themselves. The University does not need to get involved in the application process.

The Tier 1 (General) category allows highly skilled migrants to look for work or self-employment opportunities in the UK. Tier 1 (General) migrants can seek employment in the UK without a sponsor, and can take up self-employment and business opportunities here. There are various Tier 1 sub groups that are available but these are regularly updated by the UKBA so please visit the UKBA website for further details Applicants applying under this Tier are advised to check their eligibility for this permit using the points based calculator that can be found on the UKBA website.

The UKBA have placed a cap on Tier 1 Work Permits and often close the scheme down to applicants outside the UK – Again please see UKBA website for updates.

Tier 2: Skilled Workers

Tier 2 is available to skilled workers who have been offered jobs in the UK. Under Tier 2 the University would have already made an offer to a candidate and is essentially sponsoring them in obtaining their work permit. Once an offer has been made and it has been determined by HR that a Tier 2 work permit is appropriate, HR will start the process.

Types of Tier 2

There are various types of Tier 2 work permits but the 2 that the University mainly use are;

The University has an allocation of unrestricted Tier 2 (CoS)work permits. These are to be used for any extensions, changes to type of work permit, or moving under a tier 2 from one organisation to another (for those who are already resident andworking in the UK under a work permit).

With regards to restrictedTier 2 work permits we need to apply for these on a monthly basis. These are used forpeople coming into the UK to work for us from anon EU country. The deadline to apply for these is the 6th of each month, and the CoS will then be issued on the 11th of each month.

General criteria the University need to fulfill before applying for Tier 2;

Salary meets the minimum salary rate of the SOC code associated with the vacancy.

Resident Labour Market Test Conducted – Job must be advertised for at least 28 days both in the Job Centre and 1 other source (for example, University website), and there are no appointable EU candidates.

(this criteria list is only a general overview and is not definitive, please see the UKV&I website for further details

General criteria the individual needs to fulfill / submit to HR before applying for Tier 2;

Copy of passport

Proof of current address

Proof of at least the UKV&I stated minimumamount in their bank account over the last 3 months

Proof of Qualifications

Basic process for Tier 2

Please note: this process can take time and the individual cannot start work with the University until a work permit has been received by the individual and the original brought into HR with their passport.