If you are neither a European Union (EU) national nor a Commonwealth citizen given leave to enter the UK on the basis that a grandparent was born here, you need to obtain a work permit before you come to the UK to work. Depending on which country you come from, you will probably also need a resident's visa.

Your potential employer must apply to the Department for Education and Employment for a work permit on your behalf. (The employer should phone (01937) 840224 and ask for a copy of form WP1 and the associated guidance notes.) For an application to be successful, the following conditions must be met:

• You have a degree or an equivalent professional qualification.
• You are skilled in the profession in which you plan to work.
• The job has been advertised in a national newspaper or a trade journal available throughout the EU.
• No suitably qualified EU citizens have responded to the advertisement.

The Department for Education and Employment says that it takes eight weeks to process an application for a work permit.

You should be able to get a visa at short notice if you visit the British Embassy in person. If applying for a visa by post, allow one month.

For further information on immigration and an application form for a visa, contact the British Embassy in your country.