How to Get a Work Permit?

Before you can apply you must satisfy the following work permit requirements:

Have received a confirmed offer of employment from a licensed UK employer who will act as your sponsor; and

Be in possession of a Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your sponsoring employer; and

Pass the points-based assessment, details of which can be found on the category specific work permit pages listed below.

There are three main categories of UK work permit we advise on. These are:

Tier 2 General – Skilled Worker

Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer

Tier 2 Sportsperson Visa

The work permit application process is led by the employer who is responsible for issuing you (the applicant) with a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Employers who want to know more about Tier 2 work permits are advised to read our section on Tier 2 visa information for employers.

UK Work Permits (General Category) & Permanent Residency

As a UK work permit holder you can qualify for permanent residence if you have lived and worked in the UK for a minimum of five years. Once you have satisfied the five year requirement you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK, which can be then be followed by British Naturalisation as a UK citizen.

Intra-Company Transfers & Permanent Residency

As a UK work permit holder under the ICT category, you can qualify for permanent residence if you have lived and worked in the UK for a minimum of five years and was granted a Tier 2 intra company transfer visa under the rules in place before 6th April 2010 or had previous leave as a qualifying work permit holder. Once you have satisfied the five year requirement you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK (ILR), which can be then be followed by British Naturalisation as a UK citizen.