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AuthorPost
dannz89
Junior Member
Member # 896
Posted November 23, 2002 02:05 AM
Hi,

I have NZ cit., a UK work permit, 18 mnths left to run before it clocks up 4 years.

1. Twas the eighteenth month before ILR application and all through the company not a creature was stirring until...

...My section of the company (not the whole company) got bought by another company!!

The other company are taking over the department but it's still the same department and I'll still be doing the same job (for the same clients even!) and they still want me to work there (at this stage anyway...). I suspect this counts as a change of employment so I'll have to go through the rigmorol again although, it is the same job so do I really or can I just have my employers write to the home office to stay above board and keep working on my existing permit?

(If not, how long does it take to get a work change approved?)

2. I imagine that if my new company has to put in another WP1 application form, there will be some time where one permit has been approved but where I am still working for the old company (before the company legal / management folks seal the deal). This is technically illegal is it not? My job however is such that 6 weeks off while a WP1 (with question 7 ticked 'no' or whatever it is) would cause me great pain to come back to 6 weeks of work! How do the home office normally view this type of situation? (I'm banking on them cutting me a bit of slack due to practicality / business continuity?)

3. On a different note, I understand if you've got £200K, you can get a permit to start a business here. Well, I have a house with (at least) £200K equity in it. Does the fact that a) I have a property here and b) I'm worth £200K+ count for anything? (Can I get some kind of other visa)? (Although it feels like a lot to me, I guess the home office don't consider me that much of an asset to the country?) (I have looked at the highly skilled migrants program but unfortunately, I am a mere mortal (I discovered after looking at it anyway...) so I doubt I'd qualify.)

3. If the new company decides to make me redundant after all and I have to leave, Do I get enough time to settle my affairs (e.g. sell my house etc) or will I be clapped in irons and set to sail on the prison barge?

I'd Appreciate any light anyone could cast!

PS: I notice some talk about mortgage applilcations. Questions along the lines of 'how does one apply and what lenders will lend mortgages to work permit holders?'

In my experience, the range of lenders is not significantly decreased by the fact that you are a WP holder, although I do suggest finding a decent mortgage broker.

I saw also someone mentioniing that mortgages like the Virgin 1 mortgage will not be approved unless you have ILR. I don't believe this is the case.

I was shopping for a good rate and had one approved in principal (Intelligent finance) (they saw copies of my passport and WP stamp etc). Otherw were in the offing. All that I had to show was how long I had left to be here and whether or not I intended to remain here (right answer being yes I presumed.)

Hope that helps someone.

Deleted
Member
Member # 128
Posted November 23, 2002 02:02 PM
1 & 2. Work Permits (UK) does recognise that companies get acquired/merged. All your new company has to do is get in touch with them to advise them of the acquisition and that you're still working in the same position, etc.

3. You must have £200k in liquid assets, that is, available for investment in a business; a property worth that does not count.

Regarding redundancy while on a work permit, see <<here>>.

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