There are a number of categories under the work permit visas which can be used to achieve the goal of managed migration to the UK.

Requirements

In order to apply for a UK work permit a person must have:

1. A confirmed offer of employment from a licensed employer in the UK who will perform the role of a sponsor
2. A certificate of sponsorship issued by the employer
3. Passed the points based assessment

The work permit visa application is led by the employer who issues the applicant the certificate of sponsorship.

Residency

A UK work permit holder can apply for permanent residence if they have lived and worked in the UK for a minimum of five years. Individuals who have spent five consecutive years and fulfilled all the requirements during that stay can then apply for the indefinite leave to remain in the UK and then pursue the route leading to naturalization as a UK citizen.

Change Of Employment

If the applicant wishes to change employers from the original employer who offered them sponsorship on the basis of which they entered the UK the applicant is required to get a new certificate of sponsorship from the new employer given that the new employer meets the requirements. The applicant may also be reassessed and the procedure will be restarted as it was done the first time they applied.

Current Status

Currently the UK work visas are available for high-skilled workers only, these are tier 2 visas which require the following:

1. A valid passport or travel ID
2. Bank statements or proof of income which proves that you can support yourself financially
3. Evidence of English language proficiency
4. Proof of payment of healthcare surcharge

People coming from particular countries may need to also provide a tuberculosis test.

Procedure

The necessary documents and information needs to be submitted at the visa application center. The time it will take to process the visa application will depend on the particular type of visa you are applying for and where you are applying from. Moreover the applicant may also be required to visit the visa center for an interview and to submit biometrics.

Information pertaining to how much your healthcare surcharge works out to be, whether or not you need to register your visa with the local police upon arrival in the UK and how you can change documents after you have submitted them in an application can all be found online.

Costs

The cost of the work visa depends on the category of visa and the duration that you are applying for. Generally, the tier 2 general visa is valid for 3 years and costs GBP 575.

If your work contract is extended then you can apply for an extension in the work visa as well, however applications for extensions must be made within the time that the visa is valid, or the applicant will have to leave the country and re-apply.