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Home » I am new to the UK- can I use an Umbrella Company?

I am new to the UK- can I use an Umbrella Company?

There are a few ways in which you are able to work within the UK if you are a foreign national.
One way of working in the UK as a foreign national is under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) where you are able to stay working within the UK for a longer period of time than on a standard working visa.
When you have arranged your working VISA you will also need a National Insurance (NI) number which you can apply for at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).  This is a personal number that is used to record your NICs.  For more information on applying for a NI number visit http://www.dwp.gov.uk/.
Whether you decide to work through an Umbrella Company or PAYE at your agency or client, you will be required to have a UK bank account so that payments can be electronically transferred into that account.
If this is your first time working in the UK as a foreign national you will need to contact the HMRC and complete a form P86. This form will help them decide your residence treatment for income and capital gains tax purposes, and give you the correct level of tax allowances.
A good first port of call for any foreign national wanting to work in the UK would be to visit http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/

When you sign up with an Umbrella Company, you will be asked to provide a copy of your passport as part of the right to work checks. If you are not eligible to work in the UK, your employer (which would be your Umbrella Company) can be fined up to £10,000. Needless to say, Umbrella Companies will be very strict in ascertaining your eligibility.

There are a few ways in which you are able to work within the UK if you are a foreign national.

One way of working in the UK as a foreign national is under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) where you are able to stay working within the UK for a longer period of time than on a standard working visa.

When you have arranged your working VISA you will also need a National Insurance (NI) number which you can apply for at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).  This is a personal number that is used to record your NICs.  For more information on applying for a NI number visit the Department of Work and Pensions.

An Umbrella Company will be able to pay your earnings into a foreign bank account if you require, but there will often be an additional charge for this (due to the increase charge for the Umbrella Company). You also run the risk of having to pay tax in the country that your bank account is in.

If this is your first time working in the UK as a foreign national you will need to contact the HMRC and complete a form P86. This form will help them decide your residence treatment for income and capital gains tax purposes, and give you the correct level of tax allowances.

A good first port of call for any foreign national wanting to work in the UK would be to visit the UK Border Agency.