Contracting through umbrella companies work permit

[Taita]

Not particularly surprising to be honest if it is someone from a developing country. They all aspire to a better life and to escape corruption, crime, poverty, famine, water shortages, electricity shortages, strikes every other day, long commutes, pollution, low standard of living etc etc. A developed western country is a very easy way to escape from their current predicament. Also, in countries like India, Pakistan etc you suddently earn more respect once you have settled in a western country.

"They all aspire to a better life and to escape corruption, crime, poverty, famine, water shortages, electricity shortages, strikes every other day, long commutes, pollution, low standard of living etc etc."

Sounds a bit like life for the average UK contractor after the outsourcing/cheap worker import boom.

Seriously, the OP should consult an immigration lawyer or his own embassy/consulate. The queues at the Home Office in Croydon start at Folkestone! Expert advice is always worth seeking. People who have exceeded their visa restrictions are much easier to find if they are in work paid for by UK employers. Just think of all the records providing a trail!

Do it legally and everybody is happy. Keep away from the shysters...that usually ends in tears.

[NotAllThere]

So we can petition for this loophole or whatever it is to be closed you mean?

Well, I doubt the OP will return, so we've lost that opportunity.

[Scoobos]

It's not "legal" but your chances of getting caught are very very slim. (unless someone shops you)

[fullyautomatix]

It just amazes me what lengths people go just to stay and work in the UK. If they are unhappy with their current employer, they should go back unless they are listed as "wanted" in their country...

Not particularly surprising to be honest if it is someone from a developing country. They all aspire to a better life and to escape corruption, crime, poverty, famine, water shortages, electricity shortages, strikes every other day, long commutes, pollution, low standard of living etc etc. A developed western country is a very easy way to escape from their current predicament. Also, in countries like India, Pakistan etc you suddently earn more respect once you have settled in a western country.

[skipjack]

Although it falls outside of what constitutes legal, it is a practice that is followed by a lot of companies to supply cheap labour and pocket a lot of cash. This was done even in the days of work permits ( replaced by tier 1, tier 2 etc ) when work permits had the company name on them and by law you had to work for the company which sponsored the permit. Any kind of work visa is massively abused to bring in cheap labour from developing countries but where it crosses the line is that the guy who comes ino the country in this way is now trapped in the paws of the umbrella company who have the power over him. He has no choice but to toil for them or go back.

It just amazes me what lengths people go just to stay and work in the UK. If they are unhappy with their current employer, they should go back unless they are listed as "wanted" in their country...

[fullyautomatix]

Although it falls outside of what constitutes legal, it is a practice that is followed by a lot of companies to supply cheap labour and pocket a lot of cash. This was done even in the days of work permits ( replaced by tier 1, tier 2 etc ) when work permits had the company name on them and by law you had to work for the company which sponsored the permit. Any kind of work visa is massively abused to bring in cheap labour from developing countries but where it crosses the line is that the guy who comes ino the country in this way is now trapped in the paws of the umbrella company who have the power over him. He has no choice but to toil for them or go back.

[northernladuk]

Wouldn't be these guys would it?

Tier 2 Visa Work Permit Sponsorship for Contractors

[northernladuk]

I don't have any advice, but I know that many of us would be very interested in finding out how that works, so do keep us posted.

What's the website?

So we can petition for this loophole or whatever it is to be closed you mean?

[skipjack]

Its Illegal

This is not the right place to ask this. You should consult a solicitor. I would recommend you to stay within your ICT rules. <removed>

[jonbon]

don't know if its allowed or not but I know couple of people already doing it!!

the umbrella sponsors the visa and off you go to your client as a contractor (umbrella's SME ofcourse). Umbrella gets a healthy margin and the contractor gets a good rate! All happy chappy!!

Not allowed I'm afraid - work permits have to be sponsored by the company that you will actually be doing the work for; an umbrella company is an intermediary.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Not allowed I'm afraid - work permits have to be sponsored by the company that you will actually be doing the work for; an umbrella company is an intermediary.

[stek]

it's illegal, and it's called 'bodyshopping'.

[NotAllThere]

I don't have any advice, but I know that many of us would be very interested in finding out how that works, so do keep us posted.

What's the website?

[Arun]

Hi Everyone,
I am currently working in UK through Workpermit Tier 2 (ICT)
While searching for permanent job in UK (I'm a software developer) utterly failed (no one is willing to sponsor a visa), I came across a website where they say they will provide work permit for contractors through umbrella companies.
May I know how does this work? Are there any issues or risks in it?
Please advice. Thanks in advance.

Arun