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Work permits

How do I apply for a work permit?

This page explains, if you are an employer how to apply for a work permit under all the work permit arrangements.

Each of the six separate categories of work permit arrangements has a corresponding application form.

Work permit applications when the employee is already in the United Kingdom

If you are applying for a work permit for someone already in the United Kingdom, he/she will only be able to switch to work permit employment in certain circumstances. You should read the page on Switching to a work permit or Switching to training and work experience for more information.

Once your work permit application has been approved, the employee must make an application for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom. For information on how to make this application you should see the Work permit holders section.

Work permit applications when the employee is outside the United Kingdom

If you are applying for a work pemit for someone outside the United Kingdom he/she will need to make an application for entry clearance once your work permit application has been approved. This application should be made at a British diplomatic post. Your employee should contact his/her nearest British diplomatic post or visa services for more information.

The information in this section provides an overview of the work permit arrangements. The work permit guidance notes provide more details of the work permit arrangements. If you are unable to find the information you need on these pages you should read the guidance notes for the arrangements you are interested in. Anyone intending to make a work permit application must read the appropriate guidance notes before making an application. You can download the application forms and guidance notes from the right side of this page.

Which form do I require?

Business and Commercial

Please use form WP1 when applying for first work permits, multiple entry work permits (MEWPs) and for changes of employment; or use form WP1X for extensions to existing work permits (this does not apply to MEWPs).

For sponsored researchers use form SR1 for new, change of employment or extension applications.

For postgraduate doctors and dentists use form PD1 for new, change of employment or extension applications.

Training and Work Experience (TWES)

Please use form WP1 when applying for TWES permits and for changes of employment or use WP1X for extensions to existing TWES permits.

To apply for Medical Training Initiative permits for medical professionals, doctors or dentists use form MTI1 for a first application and for extensions of the original application.

Sports and Entertainments

Please use form WP3 when applying for your first Sports and Entertainments work permit, multiple entry work permits (MEWPs) and for changes of employment; or use form WP3X for extensions to existing Sports and Entertainments work permits (this does not apply to MEWPs).

Student Internships

Please use form WPSI when applying for a Student Internship work permit.

General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
If you are an overseas employer who has been awarded a service contract that complies with the GATS agreement and you have identified the employee(s) that you wish to send to work on the service contract you should apply using the GATSA application form.

If you are the United Kingdom contractor who has awarded the service contract to the overseas employer, you should complete the GATSB application form.

Sectors Based Scheme

For Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) applications made to employ Bulgarian or Romanian nationals, use form SB1 for new and change of employment applications.

For current SBS permit holders who are not Bulgarian or Romanian nationals, please use form SB1 when applying for a change of employment, or use the SB1X form for extensions to existing work permits.

Where do I get the application form?

All the forms above can be downloaded from the right side of this page. If you require a printed copy you can obtain it from our distribution centre on 0117 344 1471 between 0900 and 1700, Monday to Friday.

Where do I send the application form?

You can post it to:

UK Border Agency
PO Box 3973
Sheffield
S1 9BH

If you wish to send your application by courier the delivery address is:

UK Border Agency
7th Floor
Fountain Precinct
Balm Green
Sheffield
S1 2JA

Whether you choose to use a courier or rely on the normal postal service, there will be a delay in processing your application if your application is sent to any address other than that given.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can the overseas national work while the application is being processed if they are already living in the United Kingdom?

    Normally if you have been issued with a new work permit you can not start working under the conditions of that permit until you have been granted further leave to remain (FLR) to do so using application form FLR(IED). However, you may work while the FLR(IED) form is being processed if you have valid leave to remain in an immigration category that allows you to do so.

    For example, if you are residing in the United Kingdom as a working holidaymaker or on a permit-free training visa, you can continue to work until a decision is made on your FLR as long as the work permit application and the associated application for FLR is received before the expiry date of your visa.

    An interim arrangement is currently in place whereby existing work permit holders can start a new job on the strength of the work permit permission letter, providing his/her existing leave to remain covers all or part of the period of the new employment. In these cases individuals will then have to submit a further leave to remain application before their existing leave expires, or within six months, whichever is the sooner. As the employer's work permit will have been approved, and the individual will still have to submit a further leave to remain application, this does not undermine immigration controls.

  • What previous experience can I demand for a job I am offering?

    The work permit criteria state that the requirements for the job you are offering must be the same for resident workers as for overseas nationals.

    If you say previous experience is a requirement, you should make it clear in your work permit application why that experience is required for the job on offer, and how a resident worker would be expected to gain this experience

    If it is unclear from your application that the experience stated is a reasonable and practical requirement of the job on offer, we will ask the following questions:

    Why does the job require someone with at least three years' previous experience at S/NVQ level 3?  What elements of the job require this experience and why?

    Why could the job not be carried out by someone with less experience or lower-level experience who has reached the S/NVQ level 3 standard?

    How would you expect a resident worker in your company or another establishment to gain this experience?

Application forms

Postgraduate doctors and dentists

Student Internships

Training and Work Experience

Business and Commercial work permits, extension of stay

Business and Commercial work permits

General Agreement on Trade in Services for United Kingdom contractors

Sports and Entertainments

Sectors Based Scheme (non Bulgarian and Romanian nationals)

Sports and Entertainments, extension of stay

Sectors Based Scheme, extension of stay (non Bulgarian and Romanian nationals)

Sectors Based Scheme, extension of stay (Bulgarian and Romanian nationals only)

Training and Work Experience, extension of stay

Sectors Based Scheme (Bulgarian and Romanian nationals only)

General Agreement on Trade in Services for overseas employers

Sponsored researchers

Medical Training Initiative

See also

General guides

Shortage occupations

Internet links

Contact

More contacts

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