Everyone who wishes to take up employment in the United Kingdom needs to be in possession of a relevant valid and legitimate visa. There are a variety of visas available. It is advised that all candidates wishing to work in the UK should research each option thoroughly before applying.

Working Holiday Visa
This visa allows young Commonwealth citizens, who do not have commitments, which require them to earn a regular wage, to come to the UK for an extended holiday. They may help fund the holiday by working in the UK up to a maximum period of two years. To qualify as a working holidaymaker you must:

• Be a Commonwealth citizen; and
• Be aged 17 to 27 inclusive; and
• Be unmarried or be married to a person who meets the requirements as a working holidaymaker in their own right; and
• Have the means to pay for a return or onward journey; and
• Be able and intend to maintain and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds; and
• Intend to take employment incidental to a holiday but not engage in business; and
• Not have dependant children, any of whom are 5 years of age or over, or commitments which would require them to earn a regular income; and
• Intend to leave the UK at the end of the working holiday; and
• Hold a valid visa for entry in this capacity.

If a persons specific purpose in coming to the UK is to gain full-time work, they will not qualify under the Immigration Rules as a working holidaymaker.

Ancestry Visa
Ancestry visas allow candidates who are Commonwealth citizens with strong ancestral ties, to become eligible to live and work unrestrictedly in the UK for up to 4 years. To qualify for an Ancestry Visa you must;

• Be at least 17 years old; and
• Be a Commonwealth citizen; and
• Have a grandparent born in the United Kingdom*; and
• Be able to work and genuinely intend to take or seek employment in the UK
• Be able to maintain and accommodate themselves in the UK without recourse to public funds

Settlement Visa/Spouse Entry Clearance
Accompanying dependants and spouses of British citizens or candidates with UK settlement status who wish to travel to the UK, must get Entry Clearance from their British Embassy. There are a number of conditions that must be met before family members are allowed to join relatives or partners who have
settled in the UK.

Right of Abode
Candidates, or their parents who were born in the UK, may apply for the Right of Abode. If this is granted you are entirely free from UK immigration control. Candidates do not need to have their passport stamped by an immigration officer on entry to the UK, and are entitled to live and work in the UK indefinitely.

Work Permit
If your employer can demonstrate that they have tried to recruit for a position in the UK or EU, and there were no suitable candidates, and that you were the only candidate with the relevant skills and experience for that position, you may apply for a work permit. Work permits are valid for 5 years, however if candidates change positions they will need to reapply.

* or Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and for persons born before 31 March 1922 only, and the Republic of Ireland.

To apply for any of the above visas, candidates should complete an application form that can be obtained from their nearest British Embassy. In addition to the visa application form, applicants will be required to submit a number of other relevant documents. All documents should be certified copies of the true original. Applicants may be called for an interview and should expect to produce all original documents. Mason Clay can provide full information on the Visa process. It is also important to note that even with the relevant paperwork there is no guarantee that a visa will be issued. However, our consultants will ensure that you have all the information you need for your application and will assist you in the process.

The following websites can also provide more information:
Australian High Commission: www.australia.org.uk
New Zealand High Commission: www.nzembassy.com
South Africa High Commission: www.southafricahouse.com

The Government has recently implemented changes to the Working Time Regulations, with particular regard to holiday entitlement for temporary workers. You may be asking yourself 'what does this mean to me'? Quite simply, the 13 week rule has been abolished, with effect from 25th October this year. If you started working for Mason Clay in the UK after this date, or are in the middle of working through your 13 week qualifying period, then you will be able to take holiday from 25th October, without the need to wait for 13 weeks. As a temporary worker, you are entitled to 20 days annual leave each year, but you can only take holiday as you accrue it. For example, if you have been working for 3 weeks, you would not be able to take 4 days holiday.

Mason Clay has now amended the way in which leave is calculated. The policy now is as follows:

• For every 12 hours worked, one hours holiday is accrued. Calculations are taken from the previous 12 weeks worked.

The benefits are that you don't have to wait to take holiday as every hour worked counts towards your holiday! For clients, it means your contractors should be refreshed and relaxed as they can take regular holiday when they need to, and not when the regulations dictate. Mason Clay is happy to discuss this matter further, and look forward to your feedback on the implementation of this new system of working.

For further information email Mason Clay @ info@masonclay.com .

Before a doctor is eligible to work in the UK , they must be registered with the GMC (general medical council). Without this registration you will not be able to practice or carry the title of a doctor. You must complete the following stages:

Stage 1 - PLAB Test this will need to be passed to test your level of English and your ability to transfer your skills from your native country to the UK .

For further information click on the link to the GMC Web Site:

http://www.gmc-uk.org/register/forms/plab.pdf

Stage 2 - Present a letter that you have gained employment within the UK , this will confirm your registration to the GMC.

For further information contact the GMC:

www.gmc-uk.org

Tel: 020 7915 3630