I also received this letter... very informative too!
Did I mention very PROPMT reply? (Less than 2 hours!!)
EMPLOYMENT IN BRITAIN
1. Work Permits
Before entering the United Kingdom to take up employment, any person other than a national of the European Community must have a work permit issued by Work Permits (UK). With the exception of the following nationalities: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Slovenia, all work permit holders will also require a visa. All dependants of work permit holders, regardless of their nationality will require a visa.
The prospective employer (not the employee) must apply to Work Permits (UK) for a work permit for a named overseas worker, and for a specific job. For most occupations only workers between 23 and 54 years of age are eligible. A permit will not be issued if, in the opinion of Work Permits (UK), suitable resident or EC labour is available to fill the post offered nor if the wages or other conditions of employment offered are less favourable than those obtaining in the area for similar work. The prospective employer will first be expected to notify the vacancy to the nearest employment office, to advertise in the press or appropriate trade and professional journals, and to allow at least four weeks for suitable resident or EC worker to be found.
2. Eligibility
With a few exceptions permits will normally only be issued to those in the following categories:
a) Holders of recognised professional qualifications;
b) Administrative and executive staff;
c) Highly qualified technicians having specialised experience;
d) Other key workers with a high or scarce qualification in an industry or occupation requiring specific expert knowledge or skills.
Work permits are available for highly skilled and experienced workers for senior posts in hotel and catering establishments who have successfully completed appropriate full-time training courses of at least two years’ duration at approved schools abroad or, exceptionally, have acquired other specialised or uncommon skills and experience relevant to the industry.
A permit may be issued to any person if, in the opinion of the Secretary of State for Employment, his employment is in the national interest. Permits are available for entertainers and sportsmen who meet the appropriate skills criteria – the lower age limit referred to above does not apply to these permits.
Professional sportsmen taking part in competitions of international standing do not normally require permits.
A work permit is issued for a specific job with a specific employer. A holder of a work permit will require the consent of Work Permits (UK) for any change of job, which will be approved only if the proposed employment satisfies the relevant conditions for the issue of a permit.
3. Permit-Free Employment
People in the following categories do not require work permits but should contact this British Consulate-General for advice on other conditions for entry including the documentary requirements and the need for prior entry clearance for themselves and any dependants accompanying them to the United Kingdom or joining them there at a later stage. The categories are: ministers of religion, missionaries and members of religious orders intending to work full-time as such; employees of an overseas government; overseas representatives of firms having no branch, subsidiary or representation in the United Kingdom; representatives of overseas newspapers, news agencies or operational staff (but not other staff) of overseas-owned airlines; self-employed persons, such as artists and writers; and people wishing to start a business or office in the United Kingdom or enter into a business partnership.
4. Students
A student visiting the United Kingdom and wishing to work, not study, is in principle in the same situation as any other applicant. However, the British Government has approved a scheme run by the British Universities North America Club (BUNAC) under which employment can be undertaken for up to six months by holders of special “work permits”. An applicant must be a US citizen, of at least 18 years of age, of either sex, and a full-time student at an accredited US college or university. Eligible students should write to: Council on Educational Exchange, WORK ABROAD, 205 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, or telephone (212) 661-1414 Ext. 1126.
The Blue Card “work-permit” issued under this scheme must be obtained from CIEE before leaving the United States and, together with a valid national passport, must be presented upon arrival to the United Kingdom Immigration Officer.
Students may join the programme a second time provided that they have returned to the United States and resumed studies for at least one semester, and, that the total aggregate stay in the United Kingdom does not exceed six months.
Students from overseas who are studying in the United Kingdom and who wish to take paid employment in their free time or during vacations must first obtain satisfactory evidence from his/her college that employment will not interfere with his/her course of study. Permission will be given only where there is no suitable resident or EC labour available and the wages and conditions of employment are not less favourable than those obtaining in the area for similar work. These arrangements can only be made from within the United Kingdom.
An overseas student is not entitled to remain in the country for employment on completion of his/her studies. However, overseas student nurses and student midwifes training in the United Kingdom and needed to meet staffing requirements may be given permission to remain in employment in the United Kingdom as state registered nurses, state enrolled nurses or state certified midwifes provided no suitable resident or EEC labour is available. The lower age limit referred to in Paragraph 1 does not apply to nurses or midwives.
5. Au Pair
Under an Au pair arrangement a young woman over 17 but under 27 and without dependants and who is a national of a Western European country (including Malta, Cyprus and Turkey) may go to the United Kingdom specifically to learn the English language whilst living as a member of a resident English-speaking family. Young women whose normal native tongue is English do not qualify for entry as Au pairs.
6. Documentation
Any person holding a work permit (and his/her dependants) will require prior clearance to enter the United Kingdom, Dependants are limited to the spouse and any unmarried children under 18 years of age.
(Citizens of the following countries are exempt from this requirement:
7. Entry Formalities
The power to grant or refuse entry into the United Kingdom is vested by law in the United Kingdom Immigration Officer at the port of arrival. The law requires that any person seeking entry for which prior entry clearance (ie a visa, letter of consent or entry certificate) is mandatory and any person seeking entry to take or look for employment for which a work permit is required should be refused leave to enter if they have no such entry clearance and/or work permit.
In their own interests, therefore, all persons who have any doubts as to their eligibility to enter without prior entry clearance or a work permit should check with the Visa Section of this or their nearest British Consular Office before travelling. Prospective employers in the United Kingdom should check work permit requirements direct with Work Permits (UK).
