You should apply if you are a not a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland and want to enter or stay in the United Kingdom to work in tier 5 of the points-based system.

You should apply if you are:

• already in the United Kingdom under tier 5 and want to extend your permission to stay in your existing category or change job; or
• applying from outside the United Kingdom for permission to enter (known as 'entry clearance') under tier 5.

Further information regarding applying outside the UK can be found on the UK Visas page on this site. Further information regarding applying for the UK Visa can be obtained by contacting ICS Legal team on 0207 749 9166.

If you are a dependant of a main applicant, see Applications by dependants for information on how to apply.

You do not have to apply under the points-based system if:

• you are an EEA or Swiss national; 
• you are a British overseas territories citizen, unless you are from one of the sovereign base areas in Cyprus; 
• you are a Commonwealth citizen with permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom because at least one of your grandparents was born here; 
• your spouse or civil partner, unmarried or same-sex partner, or (if you are under 18) one of your parents has permission to stay in the United Kingdom under tier 5 of the points-based system (although you should apply as a dependant); or 
• you have no conditions or time limit attached to your stay.

If you are a national of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia, you will need to register under the Worker Registration Scheme if you want to work in the United Kingdom, unless you are exempt. See Worker Registration Scheme for details.

If you are a national of Bulgaria or Romania you must not work until we have given you permission, unless you are exempt. See Bulgarian and Romanian nationals for details.