The information on this page is taken from the Working in the UK website.

Work Permits arrangements

There are six separate sets of work permit arrangements, and Work Permits (UK) also administer the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. You must ensure that all applications are made on the correct form, and that the work permit route for which you are applying is appropriate for the post you wish to fill. Should you wish to change the type of work permit for which you are applying after an application has been submitted, you should withdraw the initial application and submit a fresh application on the appropriate form for the correct type of work permit you require. Should you withdraw your application you will still be charged the full cost.

Business and Commercial

The Business and Commercial arrangements allow employers in this country to recruit people from outside the EEA who are going to be filling a vacancy that may otherwise be filled by a 'resident worker'. Please use form WP1 when applying for first work permits, Multiple Entry Work Permits and for changes of employment or use form WP1X for extensions to existing work permits.

Training and Work Experience Scheme

The Training and Work Experience Scheme arrangements enable people from outside the EEA to undertake work-based training for a professional or specialist qualification, or a period of work experience. Please use form WP1 when applying for first work permits and for changes of employment or use WP1X for extensions to existing work permits.

Sports and Entertainments

The Sports and Entertainments arrangements allow employers in this country to employ established sportspeople, entertainers, cultural artists and some technical/support people from outside the EEA. Please use form WP3 when applying for first work permits, Multiple Entry Work Permits and for changes of employment or use WP3X for extensions to existing work permits.

Internships

The Internship arrangements allow students from outside the EEA studying first or higher degree courses overseas to undertake an internship with an employer in this country.

Please use form WPSI when making an Internship application. See 'Student Internship Guidance notes' on this website for further details.

General Agreement on Trade in Services

The General Agreement on Trade in Services GATS arrangements allow employees of companies that are based outside the European Union to work in the UK on a service contract awarded to their employer by a UK-based organisation. This is a special arrangement within the normal work permit rules made under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The company abroad that is contracted to provide the service needs to apply using the application form GATSA.

Sectors Based Scheme

The Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) allows employers in this country to recruit people from outside the EEA to fill vacancies that they are unable to fill with 'resident workers'. SBS is sector based and currently operates in the hospitality and food manufacturing sectors. SBS only covers those posts within a given sector that are recognised as hard to fill by the Work Permits (UK), and are specified in the Sectors Based Scheme Guidance Notes. The posts specified in the guidance notes are at a level that would not meet the skills criteria of the Business and Commercial arrangements, but which have been identified as hard to fill within the UK. SBS is quota based.

The 2003-04 scheme has an initial annual quota of 10,000 each for food processing and hospitality. All or part of SBS may be suspended when the quota level is reached. Customers should ensure that the quota for the sector they require is active before making an application. Full information can be found on the website www.workpermits.gov.uk.

Please use form SB1 when applying for an SBS work permit under these arrangements. See 'Sectors Based Scheme Guidance notes' on this website for further details.