Work permit holders (except Bulgarian and Romanian nationals)
How can I apply to extend my stay if I am a work permit holder?
This page explains how you can apply to extend your stay in the UK if you hold a work permit that will expire soon.
Changes to settlement requirements for Tier 2 migrants and work permit holders
From 31 October 2011, work permit holders and Tier 2 migrants who want to apply for settlement using application form SET(O) must provide specified documents to confirm that they are being paid at or above the appropriate rate for their job.This page is for work permit holders from outside Europe. If you are a Bulgarian or Romanian citizen and you have a work permit, you should read the Bulgarian and Romanian workers section.
The system of work permits was replaced by the points-based system for immigration in November 2008. You or your employer cannot apply to extend your work permit.
If your employer holds a licence as a Tier 2 sponsor, they can sponsor you to stay in the UK and work for them in the Tier 2 (General) category of the points-based system. You can then apply to switch into Tier 2 (General) under transitional arrangement A for work permit holders.
Your employer can find information about sponsorship and applying for a sponsor licence in the Sponsoring migrants under the points-based system section. The Tier 2 (General) section and the transitional arrangement A page explain how you can apply to switch into Tier 2 (General) when you have a certificate of sponsorship from your employer.
If you have been in the UK for five years as a work permit holder and/or in another relevant category, you can apply to settle permanently in the UK. You should apply for settlement using application form SET(O). The Settling in the UK section contains more information.
Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES)
If you currently hold a training work permit and you need to re-sit an examination or a module of the training programme for which your permit was issued, you may be able to apply to extend your stay. For more information, see the Extensions for TWES work permit holders page.
See also
- Working in the UK as a sponsored skilled worker - Tier 2 (General)
MORE NEWS AND UPDATES
- Changes to Tier 1 application requirements
- Online applications for Tier 2 and Tier 5 in the UK
- Illegal working: publishing details of employers who don’t comply
- New immigration fees proposed
Contact
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Accession State customer contact centre
0114 207 4074
Customer Contact Centre, UK Border Agency, PO Box 3468, Sheffield S3 8WA