Frequently
asked questions
Our agency has been processing Tier
5 UK work permits since 2005 and has a 100% track record of successfully
bringing in migrant workers to the UK.
The following are some of the many questions
we get asked:
What do I need to do to get a work permit?
Not that much since the UK Border and
Immigration Agency (UKBA) workpermit processing (technically online
sponsorship management) went fully online in 2009 and handed responsibility
for permit issuing to licensed sponsors.
See opposite for the information we
need to process your permit application
Who is eligible for the work permits you process?
We can process Tier 5 Sporting and Creative
Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS). This covers the following:
Artists, Authors (writers), Actors,
Actors (entertainers), Dancers and choreographers, Musicians, Arts
(officers), Arts (producers and directors), Designers (graphic),
Designers (product clothing and related), Journalists (newspaper
and periodical), Journalists (editors), Broadcasting associate professionals,
Photographers and audio-visual equipment operators, Sports (players),
Sports (coaches), Sports (instructors and officials), Sports (Fitness
instructors), Sports and fitness occupations n.e.c
How much does a CoS cost?
Using our services, for one individual
the total cost including processing is £150 with each additional
individual in a party being charged £50. For parties of more
than 10 each additional individual is charged £25 (so an 11
player football team with manager would cost £600)
How long does it take to process a CoS?
We can usually supply a CoS the same
day we receive the application. Expect more time for larger parties.
Depending on circumstances we may also
need to do due diligence (especially so for individuals or groups
that need visas)
The work permit is a visa right?
No it is not.
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is
an agreement between you, your sponsor and the UK Border Immigration
Agency. It allows you to work for a defined period of time under
the terms of the type of CoS you have.
Do I need a visa?
Many countries have a visa exemption
agreement with the UK. We suggest you test your exemption eligibility
using the UKBA “do
I need a visa” link.
However, if you plan to stay longer
than 3 months you will need additional entry clearance (visa) from
your nearest British Embassy or Consulate.
If you need a visa you need to obtain
your Certificate of Sponsorship first (see below)
Do I need a visa before I get a work permit or do I need the work
permit to get the visa?
You get your visa by contacting the
nearest British Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence
and giving them your CoS number and passport
If I need a visa how long will it take to get after I get a work
permit?
We can't tell you that (but it will
probably be days rather than weeks - just don't quote us on that!)
Only the British Consulate can approve
a visa and only they can confirm how long it will take on a country
to country, case to case basis.
If you are planning on entering the
UK soon we recommend you consult with the consulate nearest you
in your country of residence before applying for a work permit.
No visa = no entry even if you have a CoS
What's the difference between a visa and entry clearance?
Nothing. They are the same thing
Do I need an entertainment visa?
Almost certianly not.
An entertainment visa is an entry visa
for entertainers who live in a country that does not have visa exemption
with the UK. It does not allow you to take on paid work. You are
best getting a CoS and then applying for a visa from the British
Consulate nearest you.
Entertainment visas (in our opinion)
are a confusing waste of time and are effectively worthless
I read it takes a long time to get a point based UK work permit.
Is this true?
Tier 5 Sporting and Creative Certificate
of Sponsorship (CoS) is not a point based work permit and can be
processed quickly
We're a band of four musicians and we want to bring our light and
sound engineer with us too. Do we need a CoS for him?
Yes, even if he or she is not being
paid, all members of your travelling party if integral to the work
you are doing in the UK must have their own CoS
Do I have to pay tax on my earnings in the UK, and is there a minimum
amount of earnings that are tax exempt?
If you earn more than £1000 in
the calendar year you will have to pay 22% on the total and this
should be deducted by your UK employer using form FEU50
from HMRC
I have a show in the UK but I am not being paid. Do I still need
a CoS?
Technically, the UK Border Immigration
Agency will require a CoS even for unpaid work however there are
some exceptions for unpaid educational (e.g. giving a seminar),
some charitable and cultural work (e.g. a free workshop). In these
cases the organisers of the event should be resonsible for ensuring
your entry requirements are met
If I need a CoS at short notice is there an extra fee?
There is a £50 surcharge for same
day requests per travelling group rising to £150 for groups
of 8 or more
I am already in the UK as a visitor. Can I apply for a CoS while
here?
No. You must be outside the UK to apply
but you don't need to be in your home country. You could, for example,
apply from any EU country other than the UK
I will need to return to my home country at least once during my
work period. Can I do this?
Yes, but you must let us know so we
can include multiple re-entry in your CoS
What exactly is a CoS and what does it look like? What is the difference
between a CoS and a work permit?
A CoS is synonymous with a work permit.
They're the same thing except calling it a Certificate of Sponsorship
describes better what it is, i.e. an agreement between you, a UK
licensed sponsor and UKBA
The certificate of sponsorship is an
online document. All the sponsored individual needs is the CoS number
(though we provide a screenshot of the certificate as well). This
you show to Immigration on entry to the UK (or first to a British
Embassy with you passport if you need a visa)
Do I need a letter of sponsorship?
If you need a visa you should only need
the CoS number but some British Consulates might require a letter
too in which case you can use the confirmation letter we send along
with your CoS number
We noticed your fee for an individual sponsorship has increased
why is this?
We still charge the same for duos and
groups but we have found we spend a disproportionate amount of time
(and long distance phone calls) on individual cases (often several
days, sometimes a week or more for some individual cases) and our
earlier rate is simply not cost effective for us. The current rate
has been increased by 50% to take that into account and is similar
to the rate used by UKBA before they went online
Does a sponsor do anything else?
We report to UKBA any transgression
on the part of the CoS holder during their stay (or over stay for
example) and have the legal right to withdraw a CoS if we suspect
a transgression has taken place
Also, as your sponsor, we do have a
duty of care and will assist you in your stay with advice, contacts
and if need be intervention on your behalf if you have been wronged
in any way.
Any major expenses incurred on your
behalf we will seek to recover. However, we're not so petty that
we'd bill you for our time or for phone calls or letter writing.
We do, after all, want your stay in the UK to be an enjoyable and
rewarding one
I have questions not answered here. Is there a contact for more
information?
Yes, email us at workpermits@cmeas.com
or call the workpermit hotline: +44 (0)7908 495549.
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