New to the UK
Parker Wells consultants are very experienced at supporting international candidates with their career search securing them both temporary and permanent roles. We are also here to provide you with cultural advice ranging from the best places to live to our favourite places to eat. We understand that It can be very daunting arriving in a new country and starting a new job but here are some pointers/services to help you settle in.
Holiday entitlement
The European Working Time Directive states that all employees should receive a minimum of 4 weeks paid leave per annum. Parker Wells pays holiday pay, which is accrued from the beginning of each assignment to all PAYE temporary workers.
Visa requirements
To be considered for temporary and contract roles, you must have the right to work in the UK. If you are not a British, EC or EEA national, we cannot progress your application unless you have secured, or are eligible for, a UK visa. Unfortunately, we are not able to assist you secure sponsorship through a UK.
Nationals from the following new member states: Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic who find a job in the United Kingdom are required to apply to register with the Home Office under the new 'Worker Registration Scheme' as soon as they find work. All applications on the Workers Registration Scheme from 01 January 2007 must complete a revised application form available to download from http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/.
If you have any queries regarding immigration rules or British Nationality please visit http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ or call the Immigration and Nationality Enquiries Bureau on 0870 606 7766 (National rate number).
New visa to work
As of November 2008 the two year working holiday visa be replaced by the Youth Mobility scheme. The biggest difference with this scheme is that you are allowed to work a FULL 2 YEARS, where the two year working holiday visa only permitted 52 weeks of work. The Youth Mobility scheme allows young people to come and experience life in the United Kingdom for up to two years. Young United Kingdom nationals will also be able to benefit from similar opportunities in participating countries. If your country joins the scheme and you meet the criteria to participate in the scheme, you will be free to do whatever work you like during your stay in the United Kingdom except for business and professional sport, or work as a doctor in training.
You will need to be:
- a national of a participating country; or
- a British overseas citizen; or
- a British overseas territories citizen; or
- a British national (overseas);
and, (except for British overseas citizens, British overseas territories citizens and British nationals (overseas), will need to be sponsored by your national government.
You will also need to be aged between 18 and 30 years of age and have sufficient funds to support yourself from when you first enter the United Kingdom until you start earning.
You may not participate in the youth mobility scheme if you have dependant children or have previously spent time in the United Kingdom as a working holidaymaker.
In November 2008, when the youth mobility scheme is introduced, the following immigration categories will close to new applications:
- au pair scheme;
- British Universities North America Club (BUNAC) scheme;
- Gap year entrants;
- Japan: Youth Exchange;
- research assistants to Members of Parliament;
- Working holidaymaker’s scheme;
- research assistants to Members of Parliament;
- Working holidaymaker’s scheme.
Any further queries about the new point system should refer to http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/.
Tax and National Insurance
Tax and National Insurance (NI) will be deducted from your salary automatically if you are a PAYE (Pay As You Earn) employee.
If you are working in the UK for the first time you will need to complete a P46 and apply for an NI number. You can obtain a P46 from the Parker Wells website or download the form from the HM and customs website http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/p46.pdf.
To apply for an NI number, contact the Department for Work and Pensions on 0845 600 0643 between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. Or visit the website http://www.dwp.gov.uk.
It is advisable that you obtain an NI number, as this registers your eligibility for state benefits, including free hospital and doctors' services.
Bank accounts
All employees will need a bank account and there are a large selection of banks to choose from.
Free Internet usage
We provide free internet usage to all our candidates, this means that you will be able to come into our office and research future interviews or use your personal email. Please email or call ahead to make an appointment to use the internet and let us know when you are coming into the office.