What is a work permit?
Last update: August 3rd 2023
Many people have doubts about what is a work permit and what is its use in each country. In this sense, this type of permit is very common in the world and normally allows you to work in the country in which you apply. However, it may vary in type, validity, requirements, and other aspects.
In this article, we will detail the most important aspects of a work permit, such as the importance of this document. In the same way, you will be able to see in a general way how is the process to obtain a legal work permit in the world.
Significance work permits
If you are investigating what is a work permit, the answer is something very simple and very common in the world. A visa consists of an official permit added to the passport, necessary to be able to travel, work, study, or acquire a residence in any country. In addition, it allows stay for defined, long-term, or permanent periods based on the relevant authorities of the country of destination.
For example, a work visa allows people to work in foreign countries under an employment contract or independently. In some cases, certain countries require a work permit as part of the mandatory documentation after an extended stay. Also, as part of what does a work permit does there are some benefits for employees such as:
· Increase job opportunities. The work visa improves employment possibilities since it allows an expansion to other territories and finds a better salary.
· The procedures for a permanent residence. Acquiring said permit and working in a company abroad facilitates stay procedures.
However, as it represents a highly mandatory requirement in most countries, people must undergo mandatory procedures to obtain it. Therefore, they will have to catch up with all the requirements they will need for the country where they want to apply for the work visa.
In case you work in a country without a proper or expired work permit, you will face legal issues. In this case, you may face the following consequences:
· Problems with applications for residence visas or future applications for work permits.
· Prohibition to enter the country where you obtained the permit for a set or indefinite period.
Obtaining a work permit
An important part of what is a work permit lies in how to obtain, in general, this type of document. In most cases, the work permit is granted based on a work contract already established in a foreign country. In the same way, there are general rules when you apply for a work permit such as the following:
· They cannot change companies without first notifying the immigration authorities.
· They must always remain in the company in which the work permit was sponsored, even after changing employers.
· Upon obtaining a valid work permit, they must hold a steady job.
· Individuals will need to apply for an extension on their work permit after unemployment to allow them to find a new job.
Requirement for a work permit
On the other hand, people must follow and pass some requirements to obtain an employment permit. In addition, after knowing what is a work permit and wanting to carry out this procedure, they must understand the entire process to apply for it. Thus, the application procedures can be divided into the following stages:
1. Initially, people must find work in another country before applying for said permit. Mostly, foreigners must prove that they have an employment contract.
2. Individuals should contact the consulate, embassy, or office of the country where they wish to work to apply for an employment permit.
3. All the documentation must be collected and, if necessary, sent to be translated and certified by the relevant authorities. Also, these are some of the necessary documents that are usually requested:
· Work permit application form.
· Passport with around 6 months of validity.
· Photo of the applicant.
· Work contract of the foreign company.
· A resume and proof of work experience.
· Recommendation letters from past employers.
· Marriage certificate.
· Birth certificates of children (when possessing them).
· Proof of bank funds.
· Health insurance for foreign workers.
· Other supporting documents requested by the consulate or embassy in charge.
4. A business must sponsor and arrange to issue a work permit application. In other cases, expatriates can apply for their own.
5. People must attend the work permit interview at the consulate or embassy of the country where it was applied for. On the other hand, people who make the application on their own must pay for the permit on the same day of the interview.
Eligibility for a work permit
An essential part of knowing what is a work permit is that each country has its laws and rules for granting them. Therefore, there is no single guideline to know who is or is not eligible to obtain this type of permit. However, there are basic requirements that applicants must generally meet, as they are basic:
· To be over 18 years old
· Possess an employment contract with a company established in said country.
· Have experience in a specific field for which you will be hired.
Work permit without a sponsor
As we have mentioned, one of the requirements to obtain said permit is to have proof of an employment contract. However, other options depend on the country in which you are applying. For example, in Germany, a person can apply for a job search visa.
On the other hand, if you still want to work abroad or want to do remote work, you can opt for a freelance or digital nomad visa. Of course, this depends on the country and the requirements can be more demanding than for the sponsored permit.
Denial of a work permit
To obtain a work permit in any country, you must meet the requirements demanded by the authorities. However, despite having all the necessary documentation, you may not obtain the said permit. In this case, the most common reasons for a person not receiving the permit are the following:
· The applicant has a criminal record
· You did not properly complete the application
· Does not meet the established requirements
· The applicant does not have a job offer
Either way, you may be able to reapply for a work permit. Therefore, it is important to seek adequate advice before making the application to know the requirements,
Types of Work Permits Available
After understanding how a work permit works, certain differences divide them. Therefore, depending on the work you will be doing in the foreign company, there are some specific types of work permits that you can obtain. Thus, to continue understanding what is a work permit, below, you can see the types that exist.
Work permit for professionals
It is among the most requested work permits, mostly in European countries, because the majority of those who request it are professional workers. The permit is generally available to foreign professionals who attended a higher educational institution or have received professional training.
In this case, the work permit for professionals has an average duration of 4 years. In addition, when the duration of an employment contract is shorter, the permit will be issued for the duration of said contract.
Qualified Emigrant Permit
The immigration services define a highly-skilled migrant as a worker who operates under a sponsor based on an employment contract. Generally, the employee must meet certain specific standards and requirements, such as age, salary received, and work experience.
Temporary work permit
Generally, this work permit tends to last a few years, and depending on the country, it must be renewed or returned to the country of origin when it expires. On the other hand, in some countries, upon completion of said permit, they can apply for and be approved for a permanent work visa.
Permanent work permit
As the name suggests, the permanent work permit allows foreigners to work without a defined period in the country where they request it. In addition, you must apply after living for a specific time in that country. On the other hand, the procedures for this visa process quick and allow facilities to obtain citizenship.
Work and residence permit for highly qualified professionals
Generally, countries grant work and residence permits to the following groups:
· Management staff, business groups, or SMEs from strategic sectors.
· Highly qualified personnel for business jobs of general interest.
· Graduates and people with postgraduate degrees.
On the other hand, one quality of the work and residence permit for highly qualified professionals is that they process quickly. Thus, the management of the permit is carried out within 10 business days. Likewise, decision-making on the said permit is completed within 20 days.
Critical Skills Work Permit
In countries where there is a shortage of professional staff, they may grant critical skills permits. In addition, for a person to be approved for said permit, they must comply with some guidelines such as those mentioned below:
· The worker must have good qualifications, relevant skills and experience appropriate to the work they will be assigned.
· They must submit proof of salary for the occupation they have.
· Workers must have proof of wages received outside of the occupation list they perform.
Highly Qualified Activity Permit
Highly qualified activity permits are implemented by a few countries and only for high-need and previously qualified people. In addition, applicants for this visa need specialized skills or techniques or a high qualification that is appropriate for the work they will perform.
Limitations and Restrictions of Work Permits
An important part of understanding what is a work permit involves knowing the limitations that it has. In this case, said permit, in addition to providing greater ease of work, people are subject to the restrictions that it entails. Likewise, the limitations may vary depending on the country; some of them are the following:
· People must respect the expiration dates of the permits they are issued.
· Permits in some countries do not apply to work where there are reasonable grounds for sexual exploitation or denigration. Also, restrictions may include certain businesses such as strip clubs, escort agencies, and massage parlors.
· Work permits are exclusively for labor action, the people who carry them must not carry out other occupations.
· Some restrictions have to do with the employment contract that the person will take.
On the other hand, foreigners who want to apply for occupations where there are fundamental health requirements must undergo medical examinations. Similarly, common limitations correspond to occupancy restrictions. Thus, occupational restrictions are generally as follows:
· Care of minors.
· Primary or secondary education.
· Occupations in the health service area.
In the same way, there are restrictions applied to people who have been to certain countries and must undergo medical tests. Added to this, there may be restrictions for people who will apply for agricultural work. In addition to the restrictions mentioned above, some limitations apply to actions outside of the employment contract.
Likewise, the authorities may apply other additional restrictions, including specific places of work. Therefore, people should get up to date with what is a work permit and all the steps to follow to apply.
Renewal and extension of work permits
Holders must apply for the renewal before the scheduled expiration date. Therefore, holders of these types of documents should be aware of how long does work permit last. In addition, in general, to receive an extension or renewal of your permit, you must meet the required requirements.
Also, in most countries, you can do a work permit renewal up to 60 days before the expiration date of the permit. Similarly, they may allow you to continue working while your application is in process, as long as your permission is valid. In general, to extend your work permit you must meet certain requirements:
· Extend the work permit for your current employer.
· Renew your permit to continue working with the same employer.
· You will need to obtain a certificate of sponsorship from the employer for whom you will be working.
In addition, depending on the country, you can obtain a renewal or extension of your permit for a period equal to or longer than the original one.
As part of what is a work permit, we can say that it is essential if you want to extend your work experience to another country. So if you want to apply, the first thing you should do is find out about the process and requirements of a specific country. In this way, you will be able to complete the process properly and avoid any inconveniences that may arise.
Would you like to publish
your own article?