UK Immigration Work Permits and Work Visas

The UK offers a wide range of UK immigration, UK residency, UK naturalization, UK work permit and UK visa options. A UK work permit and UK HSMP Visa are two of the work permit categories that count towards a future UK residency application.

One of the most popular forms of immigration to the UK is the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme ( HSMP UK). This allows you to enter the UK before finding a job and means that you do not need a UK employer to sponsor your work permit. This is a points based system and you can get a free assessment using our UK HSMP Points Calculator. One of the biggest advantages offered by the UK HSMP Visa (Highly Skilled Migrant Programme) is that it is effectively a UK work permit that allows you to work in the UK for any employer. Naturally, with an employer sponsored UK work permit you can only work for the employer that sponsors your work permit in the UK.

Please note that HSMP applications can only be made by those outside the UK or legally in the UK but unable to switch to the Tier 1 General Highly Skilled category. If you qualify for HSMP then you should apply now before this is replaced in your country by Tier 1, which will then involved the British Embassy or High Commission.

The UK Points Based System started on 29 February 2008 with the introduction of the replacement for HSMP in the UK - the Tier 1 General Highly Skilled sub-category. This requires the individual to score a minimum number of points in order to obtain the right to work in the UK without needing a UK employer to sponsor a work permit. Click the title above to read more or try our Tier 1 Points Calculator.

If you have a job offer from a UK Employer then you should consider an Employer Sponsored UK Work Permit. An employer sponsored UK work permit will allow you to work for that employer for up to 5 years and counts towards UK residency in the same way that the UK HSMP Visa does. If you are the prospective Employer then you can read more about a UK Work Permit here.

Also popular with members of Commonwealth Countries is the Working Holidaymaker Visa. This can be gained for a period of up to two years and allows you to work in the UK during that period, although it does not count towards UK residency.

We can also help if you need to bring your family or dependents to the UK, perhaps to join you after you have gained your UK work permit or Highly Skilled Migrant Programme Visa and settled in the UK. You can also find further information on Residency and Naturalisation in the UK Immigration section of this web site.

We also offer a wide range of services for Business Migration, including relocating your business to the UK, Investment and Sole Representatives, as well as business visit visas for the UK and other services to assist with your plans.