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Recruitment process: Overseas applicants

In order to apply for a vacancy at Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, candidates must complete an application form for an advertised vacancy. We do not accept speculative applications or CV’s (by post or email). Neither do we maintain waiting lists for forthcoming vacancies.

We suggest that overseas applicants check their eligibility to work in the UK prior to making any application.

The Asylum and Immigration Act 1996

This Act requires employers to take reasonable measures to ensure that employees demonstrate current and valid permission to work in the UK. All prospective employees will be asked to produce original documentation, which verifies their employment status and meets the requirements of the Act.

The Home Office has issued a code of practice that specifies the type of documentation that prospective employees may produce:-

  • A document issued by a previous employer, the Inland Revenue, the Benefits Agency, the Contributions Agency or the Employment Service, stating the individual’s national insurance number.
  • A passport or national identity card identifying the individual as a British or European Economic Area (EEA) citizen, or having the right of abode in the UK.
  • A birth certificate issued in the UK, the Irish Republic, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
  • A letter from the Home Office indicating that the individual has permission to work in the UK.
  • A work permit or other approval for employment issued by Work Permits UK.

If a prospective employee cannot produce one of these documents then Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council will be unable to take the application further unless application for a work permit is appropriate – see Shortage Occupations below.

Shortage occupations

Employers applying for a work permit on behalf of an applicant will need to take into consideration the shortage occupational area in the UK (these posts are acknowledged as being particularly difficult to fill). Work Permits UK ensures that the shortage occupation list reflects current labour market trends through regular sector panel and employee meetings. If the position applied for does not come into these categories Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council will not continue with your application.

Further information on Shortage Occupation may be found at www.workpermits.gov.uk

What is a Work Permit?

Work permits are issued by Work Permits (UK), part of the Home Office’s Immigration and Nationality Directorate. A work permit relates to a specific individual and a particular job. The Work Permit Scheme enables UK employers to recruit or transfer key personnel from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) while safeguarding the interests of the resident labour force in the UK. Work permits may also be issued to overseas nationals to enable them to come to the UK for training or work experience.

Who needs a Work Permit?

If you are an overseas national who is not settled in the UK and you intend to take employment in the UK, you will be required to obtain a work permit unless you are:

  • An EEA National
  • A family member of an EEA national
  • A citizen of Gibraltar
  • A commonwealth citizen with leave to remain in the UK on the basis of UK ancestry
  • A seaman under contract to join a ship due to leave British waters
  • A person employed as a civilian component of NATO Forces
  • A person admitted to the UK as the dependant of a person settled here, or
  • A dependant under another category (under limited circumstances)
  • A student (under limited circumstances)

How can you apply for a Work Permit?

You can not apply directly for a work permit. This has to be done on your behalf by the employer in the UK who wishes to employ you. The organisation should obtain an application form from:

Work Permits (UK)
Integrated Casework Directorate North (Sheffield)
PO Box 551
Heavens Walk
Doncaster Carr
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN1 1XU

Information for the employer

From the 1st April 2003, Work Permits (UK) will introduce charging for the consideration of work permit applications. The reason for this is the expansion of the use of the work permits arrangements which is placing ever-increasing burdens on the general taxpayer. The charge for each type of work permit application will be £95 (to be paid by prospective employers based in the UK making applications to recruit overseas nationals).

The EMPLOYER should submit the completed application form at least eight weeks in advance of the date they require you to work.

Can you travel before your work permit has been issued?

No. You should not travel to the UK to start work before you receive your approved work permit. If you arrive in the UK without a work permit to take up a job that requires one, you will be refused admission.

Can your dependants join you in the UK?

Your spouse can join you as your dependant in the UK provided:

  • He or she is legally married to you
  • He or she has obtained entry clearance to be your dependant before travelling to the UK
  • You both intend to live together for the duration of your work permit and your marriage is subsisting
  • He or she can be adequately maintained and accommodated without recourse to public funds
  • He or she does not intend to stay beyond any period of leave granted to you.

Your dependant child can join you in the UK provided:

  • He or she is under 18 years of age
  • He or she is unmarried, has not formed an independent family unit and is not leading an independent life
  • He or she can be adequately maintained and accommodated without recourse to public funds
  • He or she will not stay beyond any period of leave you have been granted
  • Both you and your spouse are being issued with entry clearance except where: You are the sole surviving parent, or you have responsibility for the child’s upbringing, or there are exceptional reasons for allowing his or her entry and suitable arrangements have been made for his or her care

Further information on Work Permits (UK) may be found at www.workpermits.gov.uk

Information on the Home Office code of practice may be obtained from www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Please note: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council will only pay interview expenses from the airport or port of entry into the UK.