UK Work Permit & Visa Process
A work permit is a legal document permitting a foreign national to engage in employment while inside of UK. Each year, UK issues about half a million work permits to temporary foreign workers around the world.
UK is a prime destination for many foreign nationals who are seeking employment opportunities. Working in UK is also an excellent first step for those seeking to immigrate to the country permanently.
Who is eligible to work in UK?
Most foreign nationals require a permit to be eligible to work in UK, with some exemptions.
To apply for a work permit, most candidates will require a united-kingdom job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). There are some exceptions to this requirement, where foreign workers can apply for a work permit without an LMIA, or a job offer. Examples of this include a recent graduate from a united-kingdom Designated Learning Institute (DLI), or the spouse of someone already on a united-kingdom work or study permit.
Candidates who qualify to apply for a work permit must also meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Demonstrate their intent to leave once their work authorization expires; and
- Prove they have sufficient funds to support them and their family in UK and to return home; and
- Are not criminally or medically inadmissible to UK; and
- Plan to work with an eligible employer; and
- Can provide any requested documents that may prove their eligibility to enter UK
Types of UK work permits
There are many different options for obtaining a UK work permit. Some work permits require a job offer from a UK employer, some require that the employer provide a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), while others require that a person has some sort of connection to Canada (previous education, spousal sponsorship, etc.). Please refer to the following categories below to determine the work permit which best suits your qualifications:
Requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
- Facilitated LMIA (London)
- Global Talent Stream
LMIA-Exempt but requiring a job offer or employment contract
- International Mobility Program (IMP)
- NAFTA Work Permits
- CETA Work Permits
- Intra-Company Transfers
Open Work Permits (no job offer or LMIA required)
- Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
- Spousal Sponsorship from Inside of UK
- International Experience UK (IEC) (working holiday visa)
- Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
- Spouse Accompanying International Student or Worker
How to obtain a UK work permit
The process for obtaining a work permit in UK varies greatly depending on which type of permit a person is applying for. For example, an international student studying in UK will oftentimes be automatically issued authorization to work part-time as part of their study permit authorization.
Most closed work permit applications require that a foreign national has an official job offer from a UK employer which is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Even those who are LMIA-exempt or exempt from requiring a work permit should be aware of the unique documentation they need to prepare in order to ensure they are granted entry to UK. There are two general pathways for obtaining a UK work permit: a closed (restricted) work permit and an open work permit.
Closed work permits are tied to specific employers, this means that a foreign national issued a closed work permit must remain working with the same employer at the same location unless they change their work permit.
What am I allowed to do on a UK work permit?
Your physical work permit outlines the specific restrictions attached to your authorization. These limitations will mainly be determined by the type of work permit you are eligible for. Conditions may include the type of work you can engage in, where and for whom you can work, and how long you can work in UK. All work permit holders are prohibited from working at a business where is are grounds to suspect a risk of sexual exploitations of some workers.
Work permit holders are not permanent residents of UK and must leave the country by the end of their authorized stay. However, if you are working in UK and would like to remain permanently, complete our free assessment form to receive a full evaluation of your immigration options.