Thank
you for expressing an interest in registering with SCI. Unfortunately
we will be unable to process your registration unless you can confirm
you are eligible
to work in the UK under one of the schemes or programmes below.
You will need to be able to prove to SCI that the Home Office has granted
you permission to work in the UK. This will be in the form of a Passport
Stamp, Official Letter or Certificate.
Schemes and Programmes
This section provides details of most of the schemes available to people
wishing to come to the UK to work, or for foreign nationals wishing to
stay in the UK to work.
Please click on the link below for the most common Schemes and Programmes:
Work Permits
Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme (SEGS)
Working Holidaymaker Scheme
Ancestry Visas
Fresh Talent – Working in Scotland Scheme
Please refer to the UK Government’s Home Office site for further
details, and latest news, at:
http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk
Work Permits
Who Needs a Work Permit?
If you are a British citizen, a Swiss national or a
national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) you do not
need our permission to work in the United Kingdom. The EEA includes these
countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union
(EU). However, the European Economic Area Agreement gives nationals of
these countries the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United
Kingdom as EU citizens.
From the 1 June 2002, Swiss nationals have had the same rights as EEA
nationals within the United Kingdom. They can work without a work permit.
NB: It will always be easier to find work if you are already resident
in the country. Our clients are usually looking to recruit quickly, and
generally need to interview you before making any job offer.
If you are not a citizen of these counties you will need a work permit.
How to Apply for a Work Permit?
You will need to apply to major UK companies direct. If, following interviews,
they are interested in you and your skills they may then make a job-offer
and will apply for a work permit for you.
Only the company offering you employment can apply for a work permit
on your behalf.
Once an offer of employment has been made, the company must contact the
Overseas Labour Service (OLS), a division of the Department for Education
and Employment (DfEE) to apply for the work permit. You cannot apply
for your own permit, nor can SCI assist in this matter.
Rules of the Work Permit
Work permits are normally only issued for jobs requiring high level
skills and the company will have to prove that they have been unable
to recruit an EU/EEA National for the position.
The work permit will not allow you to take up any work in the UK - it
is specific to one job. If you want to change jobs, your new employer
must apply for a new Work Permit.
Spouses of work permit holders are entitled to live and work without
restriction In the UK.
As employers must consider EU Nationals before looking to non-EU citizens,
most of our UK clients are unable to accept applications from those requiring
work permits. However, client companies based outside of the UK are not
under the same restrictions, so you may be able to apply for these positions.
More Information
For further information as well as the application forms can be obtained
from the Work Permits (UK) website at:
http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/working_in_the_uk/en/homepage/work_permits.html?
Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) is a new way of allowing
individuals to migrate to the United Kingdom. It aims to provide an individual
migration route for highly skilled persons who have the skills and experience
required by the United Kingdom to compete in the global economy. Individuals
can apply in their own right depending on their circumstances.
If you live outside the UK, application forms are obtained from your
nearest British Embassy or High Commission, if accompanied by an IM2A
form (the entry clearance form).
If you are already resident in the United Kingdom you may be able to
apply directly to Work Permits (UK), part of the Home Office.
You can only apply for the HSMP from within the UK if your status here
is one leading to settlement. In-country applications can only be accepted
if accompanied by an FLR (O) form. Visitors cannot make applications
in the UK under any circumstances.
To make a successful application you will need to provide evidence that
you score 75 points or more in the areas described below and demonstrate
you will be able to continue your chosen career in the United Kingdom.
You will also need to show that you can support yourself and your family
without using public funds during your stay.
A points based system of qualification is used to assess applications.
Points can be accrued in five areas:
1. Educational qualifications
2. Work Experience
3. Past Earnings
4. Achievement in your chosen field
5. HSMP Priority Applications (GP's only at present)
More Information on HSMP
Visit the Home Office Web Site at the link below:
http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/working_in_the_uk/
Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme (SEGS)
The aim of the scheme is to encourage non-European Economic Area (EEA)
national science and engineering graduates of UK universities to pursue
careers in the United Kingdom. Graduates of UK educational institutions
with good degrees in an approved subject will be able to remain in the
United Kingdom and work for 1 year after completing their studies.
When will I be able to apply for the scheme?
The scheme will be fully introduced 01 November 2004. You will not be
able to apply (either from the UK or from abroad) until the scheme is
launched.
How do I qualify under the scheme?
To be granted leave under the scheme, applicants must:
- have successfully completed, with second-class honours (2.2)
or higher, a recognised science or engineering degree course, Masters
course or PhD (see 'How do I know if my course is eligible?') at
a UK institution of Higher or Further Education.
- intend to work
during the period of leave granted under the scheme
- be able
to maintain and accommodate themselves and any dependants without
recourse to public funds;
- intend to leave the UK at the
end of their stay (unless granted leave as a work permit holder,
highly skilled migrant, business person
or innovator)
How do I know if my course is eligible?
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has created a list of
eligible Science and Engineering courses. The list of approved courses
is available through the link below.
Eligible
Courses
More Information on SEGS
Visit the Home Office Web Site at the link below:
http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/working_in_the_uk/
Working Holidaymaker Scheme
What is the working holidaymaker scheme?
The working holidaymaker scheme allows a person aged between 17 and
30 to come to the United Kingdom for up to two years with the intention
of taking paid work here as a part of a working holiday.
You must get entry clearance as a working holidaymaker before you travel
to the United Kingdom.
How do I qualify as a working holidaymaker?
You qualify as a working holidaymaker if you meet these conditions:
- you are a Commonwealth citizen, British Dependent Territories
citizen or British Overseas citizen aged 17 to 30;
- you want to come
to the United Kingdom for up to two years with the intention of taking
paid work here as a part of a working holiday;
- you are single or
married to a person who also qualifies as a working holidaymaker;
if married, you must plan to take the holiday together;
- you have no
dependent children who will reach five before you complete your holiday;
- you will not need help from public funds (ie: you must be able to
support and accommodate yourself without claiming certain state benefits);
- you
can pay for your onward journey; and
- you plan to leave the United Kingdom
at the end of your holiday.
More Information on the working holidaymaker scheme:
Visit the Home Office Web Site at the link below:
http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/working_in_the_uk/
Ancestry Visas
Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK are entitled
to apply for a 4-year work visa based on their UK ancestry. This allows
you to take up any type of employment. After 4 years in the UK you are
generally eligible for permanent residence
Fresh Talent – Working in Scotland Scheme
The Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme is part of the Scottish Executive's Fresh Talent Initiative. The Fresh Talent Initiative encourages people to consider living and working in Scotland, as well as supporting efforts to retain indigenous people who wish to begin, or to further, their careers in Scotland.
The Home Office and the Scottish Executive are working together to implement the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme. This scheme will enable non-EEA nationals who have successfully completed an HND, degree course, Masters or PhD at a Scottish university and have lived in Scotland during their studies to apply to stay in Scotland for up to two years after completing their studies to seek and take work.
When will I be able to apply for the scheme?
The Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme will be launched on 22 June 2005. You will not be able to apply for the scheme (either in the UK or from abroad) until it is launched.
How do I qualify for the scheme?
To be granted leave under the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme you must:
- Have been awarded an HND, or a UK recognised undergraduate degree, Master's degree or PhD by a Scottish institution of Higher or Further Education.
- Have lived in Scotland for an appropriate period whilst studying for your HND, degree, Masters or PhD.
- Intend to work in Scotland during the period of leave granted under the scheme.
- Be able to maintain and accommodate yourself and any dependants without recourse to public funds.
- Intend to leave the UK at the end of your stay, unless granted leave as a work permit holder, highly skilled migrant, business person or innovator.
For more information, visit the Home Office Web Site at the link below:
http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/working_in_the_uk/
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