SPONSORED SKILLED WORKERS:
Work Permits for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
The United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) is now responsible for the issue work permits to UK-based employers wanting to employ workers from Bulgaria and Romania subject to work permit authorisation. Work permits are issued for a specific individual to work in a specific job.
There are six different work permit arrangements.
- Business and commercial;
- Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES);
- Sports and Entertainments;
- Student internships;
- Sectors Based Scheme (SBS)
There are many criteria to be met before UKBA will issue a work permit to these nationals.
Tier 2 General
The skilled worker category (Tier 2 General) is for people coming to the United Kingdom with a skilled job offer to fill a gap in the workforce that cannot be filled by a settled worker.
Before you apply under the skilled worker category (Tier 2 General), you must have:
- a sponsor; and
- a valid certificate of sponsorship.
When you apply you are awarded points based on your:
- qualifications;
- future expected earnings;
- sponsorship;
- English language skills; and
- available maintenance (funds).
We can assist you to apply under the skilled worker category (Tier 2 General) now if you are:
- applying for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the sponsored skilled worker category (Tier 2 General);
- in the United Kingdom with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in an immigration category that allows you to switch into the sponsored skilled worker category (Tier 2 General)(see how to switch in to the skilled worker category);
- already in the United Kingdom as a sponsored skilled worker (Tier 2 General) and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category.
Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer (ICT)
The intra-company transfer category is for employees of multi-national companies who are being transferred by an overseas employer to a skilled job in a United Kingdom based branch of the organisation.
Before you apply under the intra-company transfer category, you must have:
- a sponsor; and
- a valid certificate of sponsorship.
When you apply you are awarded points based on your:
- qualifications;
- future expected earnings;
- sponsorship;
- English language skills;
- available maintenance (funds).
When applying for permission to come to the United Kingdom under the intra-company transfer category, or extending your permission to stay, you do not have to meet the English language requirement if your extension does not take the time of your stay to more than three years.
We can help you apply under the intra-company transfer category now if you are:
- applying for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the intra-company transfer category;
- in the United Kingdom with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in an immigration category that allows you to switch into the intra-company transfer category.
- already in the United Kingdom as a intra-company transfer and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category.
Tier 2 Minister of Religion
The Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) category is for people who are coming to the United Kingdom as religious workers within religious organisations for more than two years. Your role can include working as a missionary and performing pastoral duties.
Before you apply under the Minister of Religion category, you must have:
- a sponsor; and
- a valid certificate of sponsorship.
When you apply you are awarded points based on your:
- certificate of sponsorship:
- English language skills; and
- available maintenance (funds).
You can apply under the Minister of Religion category now if you are:
- want permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the Minister of Religion category already in the United Kingdom with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in an immigration category that allows you to switch into the Minister of Religion category; or
- already in the United Kingdom as a minister of religion and want to extend your permission to stay under the same category.
Tier 2 Sportsperson
The sportsperson category is for elite sports people and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level, and will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport.
Before you apply under the sportsperson category, you must have:
- a sponsor; and
- a valid certificate of sponsorship with a governing body endorsement number.
When you apply you are awarded points based on your:
- certificate of sponsorship;
- English language skills;
- and available maintenance (funds).
Your sponsor must give you your governing body endorsement number when they give you your certificate of sponsorship. Find a .
list of all approved governing bodies (opens in a new window) You can apply under the sports person category now if you are:
- applying for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the sports person category;
- in the United Kingdom with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in an immigration category that allows you to switch into the sports person category;
- already in the United Kingdom as a sports person and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category.