Under the Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES), employers can apply for permits to employ a person in a particular post for a limited period for work experience or for professional training. Normally, the period for work experience is 12 months, which can be extended to 24 months in exceptional circumstances. Training should be completed in the shortest time possible, but within a period of five years. You must undertake to return abroad at the end of the agreed period of training to use your new skills and experience: you will not normally be allowed to transfer to work permit employment in the UK once the training period has finished.

A TWES permit is not issued for training or work experience in the sports or entertainment sectors.

If you want the TWES permit for work-based training for a professional or specialist qualification, you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be additional to your employer's normal staffing requirements. You must not be filling a job that would otherwise be filled by a 'resident worker'.

You must have an adequate command of the English language to enable you to benefit from the training

The training should be for a minimum of 30 hours per week, excluding any time for associated study

The training should lead to a recognised professional or specialist qualification that requires an entry level qualification of at least National or Scottish Vocational Qualification (NVQ/SVQ) level 3 or equivalent

Normally you should already have an academic or vocational qualification at least at NVQ/SVQ level 3 or equivalent

You should have appropriate qualifications where this is necessary to do the training

Your employer and the person who will be managing the training should be competent to provide the training. This will normally involve being registered or approved by the relevant professional body.

The training should be completed in the shortest possible time

It should not be a qualification that is available through full-time study

Permits are issued for a person to achieve a single qualification only

The pay and other conditions should be comparable to those given to a 'resident worker' doing the same level of training, and should reflect your experience. The National Minimum Wage must be complied with, and also the Working Time Regulations.