Coming to work in the UK
If you are considering applying for a job on Salestarget from outside the EEA, you'll need to
demonstrate sales skills that are not already available amongst the existing resident workforce and will have to apply for the necessary work permit and visa. Below, we take a
look at what???s involved and provide some useful links for more information.
Will I be allowed to work in the UK?
Your right to work in the UK depends on a number of factors, including your nationality and the
terms of your permission to enter the country. Broadly, there are different rules for three main
groups of applicant:
Who decides?
The UK Border Agency is now responsible for controlling migration to the UK and is responsible for the rules surround both visa and work permits. Its web site provides clear, comprehensive
information about the various routes open to foreign nationals who want to come and work
here. These rules are subject to change, so you should always check online to get the very
latest information.
Visas and work permits
A visa (also know as ???entry clearance???) is required for various foreign nationals before they can
enter the country. Check with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to see what kind of visa
you will need to come to the UK.
A work permit will also be required to allow you to work in the UK, and you???ll need to secure a
job before you arrive in the UK. It is employers who apply for work permits, not employees or
recruitment agencies. Your employer has to demonstrate that you are the right person for the
job and you must continue working for that employer to retain your work permit and stay in
the UK.
Are there any special schemes or exceptions?
There are various special schemes to cover temporary workers, young people wishing to experience life in the UK under the youth mobility scheme, highly skilled migrants, applicants sponsored by an employer, and various other categories of employment. In all cases the eligibility rules and requirements are determined by the UK government and are subject to change, with a new points based eligibility systems being rolled out across categories. For this reason, you should always check on the UK Border Agency web site to find out what is currently required for applicants of your nationality and status.
To get the full range of visas and permits, applications and leaflets, you can also visit your local British Embassy or the UK Visas website.
What else do I need to consider?
Most employees will pay tax through the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) system, which means money is deducted from your pay by your employer.
In addition to tax, every UK worker between 16 and retirement age must pay national insurance (NI) contributions that will again be automatically deducted from your pay. Applying for an NI number can be a lengthy process, requiring an interview with identification such as passport, proof of address, a letter confirming you have work and, if available, pay slips. You will be given an account number, which is to be used when dealing with HM Revenue & Customs.
Getting a bank account in the UK can be an equally arduous task if you have just arrived here. Try to get your current bank to set up an account with an affiliated bank in the UK, as this is much easier. Banks require proof of address and a referral letter from your home bank or British employer. You may have to be resident in the country for six months or more before you can apply for a credit card or overdraft.
