Briefings & Newsletters

Work permits issued before the launch of Tier 2 will continue to be valid

Date: 14th August 2008
Categories: Immigration

The UK Border Agency confirmed this week that work permits issued before the launch of Tier 2 of the new Points-based immigration system, will continue to be valid for six months from the date they were issued. It also announced that work permit applications received before the start of Tier 2 will be considered under the work permit system even if they are not dealt with yet when Tier 2 launches.

Tier 2 will replace the work permit system from the end of November 2008 for employers wishing to bring in skilled non-EEA workers to the UK. It involves employers registering as sponsors, issuing employees with certificates of sponsorship and the employee then making a visa application in their home country before they can start work in the UK.

Under the current work permit scheme, employees have six months from the date the work permit is issued to apply for a visa based on the work permit. The UK Border Agency has now confirmed that, even if the end of that period falls after the start of Tier 2, employees will still be able to make visa applications based on their work permits. This offers employers reassurance that they can continue to make work permit applications right up until Tier 2 is launched at the end of November 2008.

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