FEZ : Frequently Encountered Situations for Work Permit

                           

This guidance note provides information on the criteria of the Business and Commercial work permit
arrangements and advice on how to make an application.

Work Permit Process

Work permit : Guidance for employers   (pdf file of 392 Kb)
 

• Categories of work permit applications 
• Work for which Home office do not issue work permits
• How long will it take to get an employee on-site with a UK Work Permit?
• Spouses and Dependents of UK Work Permit holders
• How and when do I apply?
• If the person is in this country how does this affect the application?
• The Immigration Rules on switching
• Work for which we do not issue work permits
• What if the person does not take up the post or the employment ends prematurely?

 

Work Permit Application   


The employer must apply for the work permit for you and the the work permit is granted for a particular employee. So,you cannot apply for a work permit by yoursel.
It is a good idea to read  the application anway.

...


Entry Clearance Advice -USA


Once you receive your permit you  will need to apply for mandatory entry clearance at your nearest British mission in the US (either NY, LA or Chicago) before travelling to the UK to commence work.  This is a mandatory requirement for all persons intending to work in the UK for over six months. 
If you are going to bring  your family with you, they will also need to apply for entry clearance as well.

Dependants of work permit holders are fully entitled to work for the whole period that the work permit holder is here and that work permit is still
valid.

The only British Embassies which deal with these applications are the ones in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.  Details of the Consulates can be
found via this link by clicking on the 'where do I apply' link. 
Please Note you have to fill an applcation for each member of the familly with an application fee per person.

http://www.britainusa.com/visas/other_show.asp?SarticleType=25&Other_ID=621

        Making an in-person application


If you wish to attend the British Consulate in person, you will need to make an appointment using the attached weblink.  You have two options
regarding completion of the entry clearance form:

   EITHER: you can apply on-line, using the e-fastrack application form
   (which is also available on the attached weblink) and take a print-out
   of this form with you together with supporting documents when you attend
   your appointment;
   OR: you can complete a VAF1 form (copy attached below) and take this to
   your appointment with together with the supporting documents.

       Making a postal application


If you do not wish to attend in person, you have two options:

   EITHER: you can apply on-line, using the e-fastrack application form,
   take a print-out of this and post it, together with supporting documents
   to the British Consulate;
   OR: complete a VAF1 form and post it, together with supporting documents
   to the British Consulate.

The British Consulate will try to return your documents to you using Federal Express overnight delivery, normally within 5 working days.
I called British Consulate in New York , they told to expect 10 working days.





Supporting Document For Yourself and Your Family:

UK MANDATORY ENTRY CLEARANCE REQUIRED IN ADDITION TO UK WORK PERMIT

All foreign nationals issued with a work permit for 6 months or more will be required to apply for mandatory entry clearance from the British Consulate in either Los Angeles, New York or Chicago before travelling to the UK.

PROCEDURE

Applications for entry clearance must be submitted to the relevant British Consulate in good time before travel to the UK.  These Consulates will normally issue the entry clearance on the same day if the applicant attends in person but they do retain the right to make checks or conduct interviews, which may lengthen the process.  Applications must be made online via  the website: www.britainusa.com and an appointment must also be made on this site so that the applicant can attend in person.  All three Consulates also allow postal applications and details of this procedure are available for each Consulate on the website above.  When the online application is made, the website will direct the applicant to the relevant Consulate where they must apply.  Applications are not accepted at any other Consulate other than the one the applicant is directed to.  The following documents will need to be taken to the appointment or posted to the relevant British Consulate:-

The following supporting documents are required:


* your current passport
* your old passport or a copy of it
* If you are in the US - Valid US Immigration Status (originals not copies) e.g. Permanent
Residence Card (issued before 21 April 1998) Advance Parole Document, Employment Authorisation Card etc
* evidence of funds available to you, for example recent bank statements covering at least the  last three months
* either a letter confirming your period of leave from your employer together with salary slips for the last three months; or a certificate confirming you have continuing studies; or if you are self employed, evidence of your business for example company ba
* your original marriage certificate
* your original birth certificate
* If you are in the US - Valid US Immigration Status (originals not copies) e.g. Permanent  Residence Card (issued before 21 April 1998) Advance Parole Document, Employment Authorisation Card etc
* If you are resident in another country dealt with by the British Consulate-General in New York and are not a citizen of that country please submit evidence of your legal immigration status
* If you wish to attend our office in person you must have a confirmed appointment. You can book an appointment online at: https://www.britainusa.com/eappointments/ny/
* One recent passport photograph (not more than six months old)
* completed online application form




UPON ENTRY TO THE UK

After obtaining your entry clearance, you should present the original work permit and your passport to Immigration on your entry to the United Kingdom.  You are free to travel abroad during the validity of your permit and upon re-entry to the United Kingdom you may be required to present your original work permit to the Immigration Officer.






ENTRY CLEARANCE FOR THE DEPENDANT SPOUSE AND/OR CHILDREN UNDER 18 OF A UK WORK PERMIT HOLDER

The dependant spouse and/or children under 18 accompanying a work permit holder to the UK must obtain entry clearance from the relevant British Consulate as above BEFORE they arrive in the UK.


PROCEDURE

Applications for entry clearance must be submitted to the relevant British Consulate in good time before travel to the UK.  These Consulates will normally issue the entry clearance on the same day if the applicant attends in person but they do retain the right to make checks or conduct interviews which may lengthen the process.  Applications must be made online via  the website: www.britainusa.com and an appointment must also be made on this site so that the applicant can attend in person.  All three Consulates also allow postal applications and details of this procedure are available for each Consulate on the website above.  When the online application is made, the website will direct the applicant to the relevant Consulate where they must apply.  Applications are not accepted at any other Consulate other than the one the applicant is directed to.

An applicant can submit up to 3 additional applications per appointment.  This will enable applicants to submit applications on behalf of family members who do not wish to attend in person. If the family members do wish to appear in person, they must have a separate confirmed appointment.

The following documents will need to be taken to the appointment or posted to the British Consulate:

a)   Print out of completed E-fast track application form (available on website above)-one form for each family member;

b)   The original passports for each applicant and work permit holder;

c)   Original work permit;

d)   Letter of Intent.  If the work permit holder or spouse/children do not attend the Consulate in person, the work permit holder will need to provide a letter stating his family’s intention to either join or accompany him/her to the UK.  This refers to the initial entry to the UK;

e)   Entry clearance fee (payable by credit card online-preferred option, cash (in person), money order payable as cash or certified cheque);

f)   Original birth certificate for dependant children under the age of 18;

g)   Original marriage certificate (civil);

h)   If either spouse was married previously, the original divorce certificate/decree absolute;

i)   If there has been a divorce involving custody of children or the biological parent is dead, it will be necessary to provide evidence, e.g. custody papers or death certificate.  If the child’s biological parent is still living, his/her written consent will be required to remove the child from his/her current country of residence;

j)   Letter from UK employer of work permit holder confirming salary and details of accommodation in the UK;

k)   Two recent (not more than 6 months old) passport-sized photographs for each applicant; and

l)   Most recent bank statement of work permit holder showing enough funds to support him/herself and family in the UK.


I just apply for VISA now as of 21 Amy 2006 on this website by mail  Online Visa Application  .

I Will  give UK4visa



I  am Done................


Wish me a Good Luck now ..
Kal
                                     



I get my VISA NOW on 1 jun 2006..
Kal

Thank you for this info!  I didn't know there were selected consulates where one can do this. Where are you applying to?