Global-UK Work Permit Update

Beginning November 2008, the United Kingdom will introduce a new pointsbased system for those who want to obtain a work or study permit in the United Kingdom. The system will replace most of the U.K.’s existing workbased categories and is modeled after Australia's skilled immigration system. Businesses wanting to employ skilled foreign workers from outside Europe and sponsor their entry to the UK must apply for a license. Global employers seeking to hire foreign nationals in the U.K. should already be planning ahead and registering with the Home Office in the U.K. to ensure that the transfers are timely and coordinated correctly from the onset.
This change only applies to foreign nationals from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Nationals from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland are not subject to the new process. Foreign nationals from these countries are permitted to work and reside in the United Kingdom under a different system.

Foreigners are now required to qualify under a points-based assessment test before they are allowed to enter or remain in the United Kingdom. The system will consist of five tiers and each tier has different points requirements. Points will be awarded to reflect the foreigners ability, experience, age and, when appropriate, the level of need within the sector where foreigner will work. It is expected that this new scheme will cut down on processing times and that by April 2009 all work permit applications be resolved in a maximum of four weeks. For further information on work permits to the UK, the specifics of the point system or any other outbound issue please contact GTs global visa coordinator Gina Carias at cariasg@gtlaw.com.

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