Visa for UK NATS
 

I want to become an ATC trainee to proceed to work in the sphere but the list of documents required to apply to NATS includes a work permit, which I am unable to receive until my employer confirms that he wants to employ me, which he cannot do until I successfully pass the third stage of the test. So how does NATS work this out for foreigners? Are they just denied to enter?

Best people to ask would be NATS HR I would suggest.

Yes, unfortunately.

I can't find it now but the FAQ used to say that NATS were unable to sponsor visas for applicants. You needed the right to live and work in the UK permanently before applying. NATS HR however are the ones to ask about this for a final answer, but I would expect you can't apply until you have the right to work in the UK.

What this does to EU citizen applications at the moment I don't know, before obviously that wasn't an issue but with brexit on the horizon this might change.

NATS already employs(ed) a Russian ATCO; we were offered him at Farnborough once about 15 years ago but I think the security people decided it wouldn't be a good idea.
I think he came to NATS already qualified though, not as a trainee.

Too bad then, but thanks for replying guys

Therein lies the problem.

Most good things in ATC happened some vast-amount-of-time-or-more, ago.

and I imagine he would already have had the right to reside in the UK.

I worked with a Russian ATCO at Liverpool about 30 years ago - ex fighter jock & very good at ATC. Used to surprise the crews of the Antonov freighters when he started chatting to them in their own lingo ! I believe he became an instructor.

Val Sal?!.

@ Packer27L
Yes, that's correct :-)

Legend!!..

Who, him or me ? ;-)

I asked NATS this exact question regarding Brexit, even though I'm an EU citizen so I have the permit to work in the UK when I applied and even do now. I just got the answer that I had to be eligible to work in the UK at the time of application.

I don't think they really know yet how to tackle the whole Brexit situation. I'm up for my Stage 3 in a few weeks.

That could be the one; I think Liverpool was mentioned in his application.

This is kind of rude. I wish I could pursue the career. On the other note, maybe I should write to the FCO to give me a one-day permit to work in the UK and apply at this exact day, hahaha. GL on your stage 3!

Well if the ushanka fits......!!!

I know you are joking, but I inquired about this "temporary" option in order to apply about 5 years ago. Was told "NO" in no uncertain terms...even though I offered to sign whatever piece of paper they wanted, staying I'd be out of the country as quickly as they demanded, should I not succeed at any one stage of the testing :ugh:

The logic of ANSPs seems to be the same! They want people, but can't seem to understand some basic concepts about actually attracting them the right way.

Wow, Mr. M2A. Just wow. You tried though.