Revised Guidance for Work Permit Holders

If a work permit holder has not obtained entry clearance and they leave the Common Travel Area 1 during the validity of their work permit, their landing permission will lapse.

They may be allowed to re-enter during the period of validity of a work permit by presenting the permit again to gain entry clearance. However, the possession of a work permit does not guarantee them automatic re-entry to the UK . The decision to grant re-entry is for the Immigration Service to make.  Where an Immigration Officer refuses re-entry, for example because the basis on which the work permit was first issued has changed, a new work permit would be required for re-entry to the UK.

If a work permit holder who needs to travel outside the Common Travel Area¹ within the period of validity of their work permit has reason to believe their permit may not be accepted for the purpose of re-entry, they may wish to consider obtaining entry clearance before they travel.

¹The United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland collectively form a common travel area.

The guidance supersedes paragraphs:

• 163 of the Business and Commercial guidance notes;
  
• 140 of the Sports and Entertaiments guidance notes;
  
• 140 of the Training and Work Experience guidance notes; and
  
• 18 of the General Information Leaflet.