If you've come to the UK to work or you're considering doing so, temping is a great way to get started.
As well offering more flexibility than permanent work, temping can be a good way to meet people, get to know the working culture and even get your foot in the door of a company you may like to work for permanently.
As a temp, you must have the right to work in the UK. British nationals and nationals from the European Economic Area have the right to work in the UK, although there are strict rules governing who may enter the UK and who may work here. Some of the most common methods of securing the right to work in the UK are listed below.
The Working Holiday Visa is available for members of certain commonwealth countries who are within a specific age range and have not previously held a working holiday visa. This visa allows the individual to enter the UK with the right to work for any employer on a limited basis whilst enjoying a holiday in the UK. This is often useful for gaining some UK work experience whilst experiencing UK culture and improving English language skills.
The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) is a points based method of immigration for skilled workers. Primarily based upon points being awarded for education, age and recent earnings, approval for HSMP by the UK Home Office gives the individual the right to work in any capacity and for any employer without the employer needing to sponsor a work permit.
This has proven to be one of the most popular methods of UK Immigration in recent years and time in the UK under the HSMP Visa counts towards Permanent Residence.
An employer sponsored UK Work Permit must be applied for by the UK employer. There are a number of different work permits, depending upon whether the job is on the UK Skills Shortage list, the position is for Training and Work Experience purposes or it is for the purpose of transferring from an overseas office to a UK office of the same employer. The employer will need to show Work Permits (UK) that they are a viable business with a genuine requirement for the potential employee.
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Access immigration services from SkillClear »
Find out about working in the UK from the UK Border Agency »
See if you need a visa with UK Visas »
