Residence Permit and right to work

[gbswales]

My THAI civil partner has a residence permit (number beginning UK) stamped in his passport giving limited leave to remain until September next year when we of course intend applying for indefinite leave to remain (subject to passing the life in the UK exam!)

I understood this permit - issued after we entered into a civil partnership gave him the right to work in the UK. The university where I work has some part time casual opportunities for about 3 months and he was all set to start this until personnel raised the issue that they believe they will have to make some kind of application to the home office - does anyone know if this is true? or can anyone point me to somewhere that it states offcially that someone with a residence permit can work without seeking further permission. It would be an ideal opportunity for his first work in the uk in a familiar environment and it would be such a shame if red tape prevented it. The universtiy cannot wait until some home office department processes another form as the jobs start this week!

I am totally dumbstruck by this turn of events after we put so much into getting the visa - can anyone help please?

[John]

personnel raised the issue that they believe they will have to make some kind of application to the home office - does anyone know if this is true?

Your partner has a 2-year CP visa? Yes? If so "personnel" should know better! Of course he can work! Without requiring a WP or any further permission.

If they still have doubts about that then they should ring the Home Office number that all employers have been given and ask them.

I am extremely surprised that a University, with so many foreign students, I expect, is not totally up to speed on this issue.

[gbswales]

Speed being of the essence i just wish I could find this clearly stated on the immigration websites somewhere - I hunted around but found the web site as usual yields little in the way of positive help. I do not have much faith in the ability of the personnel office to get the question right - never mind the answer!

[John]

Have a look at this webpage.

But I have to say this is pretty basic stuff and especially a University, which could have lots of foreign students, really should be up-to-speed on this matter.