Urgent: How do I know which work permit I hold?

I have been working for 3 years now as a trainee chartered accountant. I have always assumed that I have a full work permit, but have recently discovered the existence of a TWES permit (which cannot lead to PR). I am very concerned that my permit might be a TWES permit - how can I tell?

I have a copy of the letter from Work Permits (UK) which I have reproduced below:-

Dear xxx,

Immigration Act 1971 - The Work Permit Arrangements

Application by : <employer>

Thank you for your application which has been approved by this Department as detailed below.

I am now returning myname's passport, endorsed with the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate permission to stay in the United Kingdom.

Pemission is given for the employment detailed below. myname should retain this document with his passport.

Name: myname
Date of Birth: 1/1/77
Nationality:
Length of approval: for 60 months
Occupation: Trainee Chartered Accountant
Salary: £xxx
Employer: xxxx
Address employed: xxxxx

Yours sincerely,


xxxx

Can I tell from this whether I hold a proper work permit or a TWES permit? I have been told by some others that there is a separate embossed document in addition to this letter, but I don't seem to have that.

I would appreciate it very much if someone who has a full permit or a TWES permit could let me know what theirs looks like. Thank you so much.

Kind regards,
chtanz

Hi, I don't claim to have any particular knowledge of this area but feel you might sleep better tonight if you read :-

UK Training Work Permits

In particular :-

The training permit scheme can permit entry to the UK for up to 3 years. This scheme is similar to the work permit scheme in that it is you as the employer who must make the application, and that the application is considered by the Department of Employment in the UK.

In other words, given that your arrangement is for five years it appears that it cannot possibly be TWES.

Other postings on this very welcome.

Hi John

Thanks for your post. I'd noticed some places mentioning that the training permit scheme is only for up to 3 years. However, on the Home Office's Work Permits website:-

We will normally issue the permit for the average time expected to complete the training up to a period of five years (we may limit the length of approval for new employers who have not been able to provide us with enough of the information detailed in 'Establishing your company'). If a permit is required for over five years, you will need to apply for an extension and we will expect the individual to have taken any exams at the earliest possible sitting.

http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/workin ... for_a.html?

This seems to conflict with what is stated on some other websites

Would really appreciate if anyone has any thoughts. Thanks again.

OK, point taken. In the absence of any other posts in this topic can I ask as regards the sticker actually in your passport ..... what does that say? Does that give any clue to the answer to your question?

I am afraid your letter bears all the hall marks of a TWES permit...

as far as workpermit rules stand - you cannot get a full worpermit as a trainee Chartered Accountant


The good news though is that it appears these days it is possible to transfer from a TWES to a Workpermit..though better start investigating this route...

As far as I know, TWES permits can be for up to 5 years and you have to normally spend at least 2 years outside the UK before switching into another work permit category if your TWES permit was issued for more than 12 months.

I also think that you hold a TWES but the best way of finding out would be to check with WP(UK) by calling them.