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Tier 2 Work Permit Application

What is a Tier 2 Work Permit Application?

Tier 2 Work Permit Applications are the most common form of work permit application. With Tier 2 applications the employer must demonstrate to the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA), the department of the Home Office that deals with work permit applications, that it has made a genuine attempt to recruit a suitably qualified resident worker from within the European Economic Area (EEA).

To prove this the work permit employer must provide documentation to the BIA detailing recruitment methods. If unsuitable methods have been used the BIA will not approve the work permit and the employer will have to conduct a further recruitment exercise in order to recruit the overseas worker (or find a suitable resident worker).

When making a Tier 2 Work Permit Application the employer must also submit documents showing the candidates suitability for the role. Degree Copies, Professional References etc will need to be provided by the worker.

If you are interested in making a Tier 2 Work Permit Application call Commonwealth Contractors now on 0800 294 4388. We work with OISC registered Immigration specialists that can ensure a successful work permit application (or help you avoid making an application that will not be successful). In some circumstances, especially if you have limited internal management bandwidth, it may be better to outsource the work to consultancy in the form of a Managed Project rather than take on permanent headcount. To find out more about outsourcing work to a 3rd party consultancy prepared to sponsor a work permit where appropriate call Commonwealth Contractors now on 0800 294 4388 or Submit your details and we will get right back to you.

Advertising the Vacancy

Quite often the level of advertising an employer undertakes is not sufficient when it comes to making a work permit application. Employers advertising jobs must ensure that:

The most appropriate medium has been used to advertise the job to suitably qualified resident workers
The publication is available throughout the European Economic Area (EEA)
The advert has been placed in a suitably prominent location within the publication (a postage stamp sized advert is unlikely to be seen as a serious attempt to find good candidates)
At least four full weeks are allowed to receive responses to the recruitment method
If using the Internet to advertise the advert is viewable for at least one full week and the site is the most appropriate to advertise on

Adverts should be placed no more than six months before the date of Work Permit application

The Advertisement

When placing an advert the employer must detail:

The skills, qualifications and experience necessary to undertake the position
The main duties and responsibilities of the role
The job location
The salary or salary range
The closing date for applications
The name and address of the employer

Recruitment Response

The BIA will wish to see why resident workers who have responded to an advert have not been given the job. If the employer is unable to provide adequate reasons the work permit application will fail.

When accessing an application the BIA will wish to know:

The total number of people that applied for the vacancy
The number of candidates shortlisted for an interview
The reasons why each resident worker has not been employed

The original advert should be submitted with the work permit application. Care should be taken to ensure that the advert clearly shows the date and title of the publication used.

Candidate Documents

The eventual non EEA candidate selected for the job must have the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to undertake the role. To prove this the work permit employer must submit copies of academic qualifications and professional references.

Where the Candidate:

Has a Degree Qualification: 1 years worth or Technical References are required
Does not have a Degree Qualification: At least 3 years worth of Technical References are required

Original degree copies should not be submitted, photocopies are sufficient. If degree copies are not in English a certified copy should be provided. Theoretically fresh graduates with a relevant degree can get a permit without prior work experience, but this is rarely appropriate outside the graduate intake streams of large multinational companies.

Professional References from previous employers must:

Be on company letterhead paper
Detail the employment start and end dates
Detail the duties of the post and skills used/ gained in the employment
Be signed by a suitable representative of the employer

To find out more about Tier 2 Work Permit Applications call Commonwealth Contractors now on 0800 294 4388 or submit your details and we will get right back to you

Related Work Permit Sponsorship Pages:

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