It is widely acknowledged that there is a growing need in the UK for individuals with exceptional personal skills and experience in a wide range of industries and professions.

Traditionally the only way of obtaining a work permit for the UK was to be sponsored by a UK employer. A Program now exists to encourage skilled individuals to seek entry in order to work in the UK, without having a prior offer of employment: the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.



At Imi, we specialize in assisting candidates with HSMP applications.

1. Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP)

2. Working Holiday Makers Visa

3. Your two years in the U.K.

4. Working in the U.K.

1. Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
 

The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme differs dramatically from existing Work Permit programs. An application made under the Program is an application for an immigration status and as such you may bring your immediate family with you. Unlike the existing work permit system the work permit is granted to you and not a UK company so you may change jobs as many times as you wish whilst in the UK

Successful application enables you to apply for entry to the UK for a 12-month period in order to look for work in your chosen field. If you are successful this may then be easily extended for an additional 3 years after which you may apply to stay permanently.

The Program has been very successful since its introduction in 2002 and the revised Program introduced in November 2003 will enable far more applicants to qualify for entry.

The Program is a points-based system. There are 6 main categories where points can be scored. Only candidates with a minimum of 65 points will have a chance of being considered. In addition, it is important that candidates show that they are able to work in their chosen field in the UK, able to support themselves and their family until they find work, and are willing to make the UK their main home for the period of the Program.

It is important to find out if you would qualify in terms of the points. To do this, contact Imi for point's calculation.
 

2. Working Holiday Makers Visa
 

The U.K. is an extremely popular destination for working holidaymakers. Currently all young Commonwealth citizens can do any type of work in the U.K. for up to 2 years.

Basic Conditions:-
 

Firstly you have to be a Commonwealth citizen and aged between 17 and 30 years of age. As part of your visa entry you are allowed to do any type of work although you are expected to take some holiday at some point during the two years.

It is expected that you will have enough funds to support yourself until you find work. Under most circumstances, you will not be able to claim any benefit during anytime of unemployment. You will also have to pay for a return or onward ticket.

Under most circumstances, you will be expected to leave the UK at the end of your two years. There may be a number of options if you decide you want to extend your stay.
 

3. Your two years in the U.K.

Your two years working holiday visa starts from the moment you enter the U.K under those conditions and will finish exactly two years later regardless of what you do in that time.

For instance, if you decide to leave the country for one year during your two-year visa then you will only have one year as a working holiday maker.
 

4. Working in the U.K.

From June 2003, new rules were introduced regarding the type of work that a working holidaymaker could undertake. The old legislation stated that you could only undertake work that was not your recognized profession and that you could only work for half of the 2 years.

This has now all changed and the good news is that you can work for the whole two years in any type of work. You are no longer restricted to low level work. You must still take holiday though. This is under the employment law that covers the whole country.

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