A work permit is a type of Immigration Employment Document or IED. In order to stay and work in the UK a non-EEA national requires an IED and Leave to Remain granted specifically for the duration of the IED.
Work Permits (UK) administers the work permit arrangements on behalf of the UK Government. It is based in Sheffield as part of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office.
Where an individual is out of the UK at the time of the application, Work Permits (UK) issue a work permit which the individual should take to the nearest British Diplomatic Post Overseas. The decision to grant Leave to Enter the UK is considered and on approval the British Diplomatic Post Overseas will endorse the passport with a prior entry clearance visa.
Where the individual is in the UK at the time of the application, both the decision regarding the IED and the Leave to Remain are made by Work Permits (UK). Once the IED has been approved, consideration is given to the extension of the person's Leave to Remain in the UK as a work permit holder and the passport(s) is endorsed accordingly. The individual can then start work.
With effect from 1 April 2004, when applying for in-country work permits and extensions the non-EEA national is required to complete, endorse and sign a separate form to extend their Leave to Remain. (See the What form do I fill in? section for further information.) |