Contract for foreign national

[northernladuk]

So how did the OP get a contract he can't actually fulfil? Bit lenient with the truth or forgot to mention some pretty salient points?

[TheFaQQer]

Not necessarily!

As long as the client is aware of your Visa situation, then it will be fine.

Given that the OP is barely aware of their visa status, do you really expect that the client is?

[AnonAgent]

Given that the OP is barely aware of their visa status, do you really expect that the client is?

If the client is hiring someone without being aware of their Visa status, then they are probably not too serious about the travel.

[stek]

Not necessarily!

As long as the client is aware of your Visa situation, then it will be fine.

Role requires 'frequent travel' to EU and even if the client is aware of the OP's visa status it's going to make it impossible for him to perform the role. Looking at the OP's prior posts he's a 'hands on guy' so without an EU passport he's not going to able to even get on the plane.

Again, if it was possible to even start the WP process (which it isn't) he'll need one for Germany and Portugal, passport can't be in two places at once and certainly the German WP process takes eons and I bet the Portuguese one will be a litany of backhanders and bureaucracy.....

Contract will be over by then.

[cojak]

So basically all we can say is Good Luck and Bon Voyage!

[northernladuk]

If the client is hiring someone without being aware of their Visa status, then they are probably not too serious about the travel.

But why should he be? The role profile states a number of requirements and one of those is travel. It wouldn't be unreasonable for the client to expect that whoever is put forward for the role meets those requirements, particularly if there is an agent involved. If there is he wants shooting.

I don't think you can fully blame the client for someone getting a role knowing full well they cannot fulfill it. Yes they are partly to blame for not checking but it would be nice to think in a professional environment some assumptions can be made.

[stek]

But why should he be? The role profile states a number of requirements and one of those is travel. It wouldn't be unreasonable for the client to expect that whoever is put forward for the role meets those requirements, particularly if there is an agent involved. If there is he wants shooting.

I don't think you can fully blame the client for someone getting a role knowing full well they cannot fulfill it. Yes they are partly to blame for not checking but it would be nice to think in a professional environment some assumptions can be made.

I think it's important that any contractor in this situation is proactive and aware of the limitations of their passports/visa and doesn't end up in a situation like this. Visa rules are complex and you can't expect the client or even the agent to know what restrictions your nationality or visa status hold. I only know so much about this cos my better half is (still) not a British Citizen so we've been all through this and it's not at the end yet!

Employers are legally bound to check an employees visa status and 'Right to Work' and this is plainly marked on the visa vignette or biometric card as it now so there's no ambiguity there, but would you expect them to know that having a time limited visa that says 'Leave to Remain' still means they need a visa for the EU? Or how long that visa would take to get? Or the difference between Leave to Remain and Leave to Enter?

No, it's up to the individual to be honest and not hide behind the FUD.

[Lumiere]

First of all you are a permie if you are on a work permit since you can only get UK work permit from an employer you permanently work for. They can resell you to a number of clients, but that does not make you "a contractor".

Secondly, it is not rare for people in your position to work on projects in Europe (business visas organised by/with the help of the employer), but it is a grey area. Business visas only allow meetings etc., but not actually performing work. No one cares as far as I know as long as you are employed in the UK and the trips are for a few weeks or so.

[rurffy]

Ok thanks all for your opinion , let me give some more points ... The role is based in London . But they said occasional visit to the Germany site . They did not say I will be working in Germany for the whole contract ... My base is London .

And I am from Zimbabwe .

The company is a Russian company - and I presume they will need work permit for their Russian employees aswell so it might not be difficult to provide one for me lol (just saying ...)

I was interviewed along with 17 other people and I came out their best .. (Now you see why I think it might be possible ? )

But still , I'm alittle worried -

[MyUserName]

Ok thanks all for your opinion , let me give some more points ... The role is based in London . But they said occasional visit to the Germany site . They did not say I will be working in Germany for the whole contract ... My base is London .

And I am from Zimbabwe .

The company is a Russian company - and I presume they will need work permit for their Russian employees aswell so it might not be difficult to provide one for me lol (just saying ...)

I was interviewed along with 17 other people and I came out their best .. (Now you see why I think it might be possible ? )

But still , I'm alittle worried -

Have you told the client that there might be a visa issue?