If you are interested in applying for positions in the UK, you will need to have a valid work permit. Individuals from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) must be in possession of a work permit to allow them to take up employment.

As a Non-EU national, if you wish to obtain a work permit without having first obtained a job offer and sponsorship from a UK company we suggest you contact UK Working who can provide preliminary advice and assistance - Tel: +44 (0) 1798 539 050 or visit their website at www.ukworking.com

The EEA is made up of the following countries, nationals of which do not need a work permit to take up employment in the UK:

European Community law grants EEA nationals a right to live and work in the United Kingdom. This is called a right of residence. For more information on immigration to the UK, take a look at the website of the British Home Office.

From 1 May 2004, nationals from New EU Member States will be free to come to the United Kingdom.

Nationals from the following new member states; Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic who find a job in the United Kingdom are required to apply to register with the Home Office under the new 'Worker Registration Scheme' as soon as they find work.

Nationals from Malta and Cyprus will have full free movement rights and are not required to obtain a worker's registration certificate.

For more information, please visit the Government's Working in the UK website.

The Home Office's Immigration & Nationality Directorate is responsible for immigration policy and the UK's on-entry and after-entry controls.

The British Immigration and Nationality Directorate considers the following applications on an individual basis:

• Permission to work in the UK
• Permission to stay here
• Citizenship
• Refuge and asylum

Depending on your circumstances, your application may be assessed on factors such as:

• Your ability to contribute to the economy
  
• Your risk of persecution in your home country
• Whether you're a citizen of a Commonwealth nation
• Whether your relatives were born here

There are many opportunities to work within Britain and the best piece of advice would be to do your research before you come into the country. Try visiting for a week or more and see if the country matches your expectations.

Finally here are Jobsite's 8 relocation tips:

1) Avoid culture shock. Thoroughly research the location, visit if possible, get intercultural briefings, talk to expats already there. Check climate, languages, attitudes to women, drink and drugs laws, social expectations, reliability of local water, power and telecoms, crime and personal safety.

2) Check all contract terms. Working hours and holiday? Who pays for air fares, shipping personal effects, accommodation, furnishings, personal transport, medical and dental care, children's education? Who chooses the accommodation and what standard is it?

3) Don't assume anything. Can your partner get a work permit, will you have to entertain, will you be training a local national to take over your job?

4) Take an intensive language course before you come to the UK. Not being able to understand the local language can very daunting and can make you feel isolated and not properly integrated within your new community.

5) Arrange for vaccinations, immigration papers, driving licence, credit cards, e-mail address, mobile phone.

6) Organise personal finances. Arrange tax and revisit your pension plan, are you liable for local taxes, how will you send money home, do you need an off-shore account?

7) Have a get-out clause. Try and negotiate an initial probation period during which you can change your mind. Agree a notice period with full fare home and costs of shipping home personal effects.

8) Plan repatriation before you sign up. Will there be a job or promotion with your UK employer on return? If it's a foreign employer, how will you find a return job? Keep in touch with UK friends, and think very hard before selling your house.