Can a columbian work in the UK?

[Hustle]

I have an upmarket tattoo studio in the UK and so I need to ensure I have the best artists working for me. i have an artist I want but I lives in columbia. He says I need to offer him a contract to work so that he can apply for a visa to work here but I don't really know what to do. Does any know of any implications to this or how long it could take and if there are any cost to doing it.

Thank you for you help.

[twix123]

See the following link from the UK Border Agency:

http://www.ukba.homeo...ness-sponsors/points/

You need to apply for a sponsor's licence. Satisfy the Human Resource requirements and show that the required job skills are not already available from a UK or EEC candidate.

[craft1948]

I can't remember if Peter Mandelson got his Columbian boyfriend a job or a student visa...............

[237SJ]

Mandelson`s boyfriend was Brazilian. There are lots of Brazilians in London because a lot of them have Portugese heritage and are able to get Portugese passports which then entitle them to work here. It`ll be a lot harder for a Coumbian I would think.

[micmak]

Naughty craft. lol

[askyourgran]

Why not, everyone else seems to be here, regardless of the fact that we are bursting at the seams with immigrants. Whether or not this guy is a world renowned tattooist who has an important part to play in British Industry is a matter for the Immigration Authority to consider.

[mightymouse]

COLOMBIA...............not Columbia!!!

[ChuckFickens]

Unless they are from one of the Columbias in north America.

[MoonRocker]

"upmarket tattoo studio" - PMSL!

[RATTER15]

moonrocker, why do you find that so amusing?

[THEMOTLEY1]

Wasn't that long ago that Hustle was trying to borrow £2k to start a business,
didn't he do well?

[MoonRocker]

I suppose I was wondering what constitutes an "up market" tattoo!

[RATTER15]

It speaks for itself. but if you are of the mind that only idiots, slags and thugs get tattoos then nothing will change your mind.

The tattoo world is like any other trade, you get what you pay for, you go upmarket to get the best.

[piggynose]

its means tested, i believe. I tried to get an ex ecuadorian g´friend in, only for a holiday, absolutley no chance, unless she had a well paid job to go back after she left.

[sue11]

They have tightened up massively now on non Europeans applying to work in the UK under sponsored visas. The entry wage level is above 30K unless the migrant can come in on a highly skilled visa. There are also restrictions on the type of jobs that can be offered as well i.e you cannot offer something like a general office admin employment even if the wage level being offered satisfies the requirements of the Tier Level of the visa that the applicant is applying on.
As Twix123 has shown, the info from the Border Agency will help you to understand the requirements.
Yes there is a cost to become a sponsored employer, the last time we applied it was around £300 per employee, this was a couple of years ago though and it could have gone up since then. You can also use immigration lawyers to submit an application on your behalf, but expect to pay in excess of £1200 to £1500 dependant on who you use of course.
Thanks Sue