For individuals

Individuals looking for a job in the UK under the current system cannot apply for a work permit. You have to find a job, and then the employer must apply for the work permit for you. You may come across employers who say, "We don't deal with candidates who need work permits – go arrange your own work permit and then come back to us". Such employers are asking you to do the impossible, but don't worry – if you contact workpermit.com we will be happy to contact them and clarify the position.

There are possibilities even if you don't have a job or a potential employer:

• You may be entitled to another sort of visa which will allow you to work in the UK without having to get a work permit – For details of such visas consult our general guide to UK immigration. Also, visit our section on alternatives to the work permit for other ideas.
• You may be eligible through the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) to work in the UK.
• If you are an IT professional with a degree or and 3+ years of experience there are many companies in the UK who may be keen to recruit you and will be happy to obtain the necessary work permit for you – For details of international IT jobs Click Here
• If you go job-hunting like any other would-be employee, just check in this guide to see if you are eligible for a work permit. If you are, you can tell potential employers that you will get workpermit.com to arrange the permit, and that you should be available to start work within 1-2 months of receiving a job offer.
• If you are a national of a European Community (EC) Association Agreement country (Bulgaria or Romania) you may come to the UK to set up in business and are exempt from the usual investment requirements. Please note, however, that there is a very high refusal rate for this type of visa. Go to our guide to freelance work in the UK for EC Association Agreement nationals.

Once you do get a work permit, it is not a general permission to work in the UK. It is specific to the employer who applied for it. If you have a UK work permit and want to change jobs, you will first need another permit which will need to be obtained by your new prospective employer.

If you have an employer and are in a hurry and just want to go ahead with an assessment / application, please click Here for details of what to do.

Difference between a Work Permit and a visa?