Just found this mate...might help!;)
http://www.danielgeey.com/the-foreigner-debate-the-fas-new-work-permit-regulations-explained/
Eligibility is now determined according to a national team’s ranking, as set out in the table below:
Official FIFA Ranking Required % of international matches over previous 24 months
FIFA 1-10 30% and above
FIFA 11-20 45% and above
FIFA 21-30 60% and above
FIFA 31-50 75% and above
By way of example, to automatically qualify for a work permit to play in the Premier League, a Brazilian player is only required to play a minimum of 30% of national team matches over the last two years (given that Brazil is within the FIFA top 10 ranking positions[2]). At the time of writing, Ivory Coast was ranked 19th meaning an Ivory Coast player would be required to play in 45% of matches over the last two years. However the two year period is reduced to one year for players aged 21 or under at time of application to potentially make it easier for young, outstanding talent to avoid being disadvantaged.
Can a player still appeal if initially rejected?
If the automatic criteria mentioned above is not met, the player can request that an appeals body (called the Exceptions Panel) considers the player’s experience and value to decide whether the player should nonetheless be allowed to join the club. The detail can be found here
http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/more/player-registrations
The appeals process is a points based system under which the panel will award points depending on the circumstances of the transfer. If a player scores four points or more, the panel may recommend that the application is granted. Nonetheless, the panel can still reject the application even if four or more points are scored.
Criteria Points
The value of the transfer fee being paid for the player is in the top 25% of all transfers to Premier League clubs in the previous 2 windows 3 points
The value of the transfer fee being paid for the player is between the 50th and 75th % of all transfers to Premier League clubs in the previous 2 windows 2 points
The wages being paid to the player by the applicant club is in the top 25% of the top 30 earners at the club 3 points
The wages being paid to the player by the applicant club are between the 50th and 75th % of all the top 30 earners at the club 2 points
The player’s current club is in a Top League[3] and the player has played in 30% or more of the available domestic league minutes 1 point
The player’s current club has played in the group stages or onwards of the Champions League, Europa League or the Copa Libertadores within the last 12 months and the player has played in 30% or more of the available domestic league minutes 1 point
If the player does not meet the above points based system review, there is a secondary examination under which if the player scores 5 points or more, the panel may recommend that an application is granted. Points can be scored if, for example, the player has played in the final qualification rounds of the Champions League, Europa League or the Copa Libertadores within the last 12 months and the player has played in 30% or more of the available domestic league minutes. The review at this stage is more flexible meaning that the panel can take into account the circumstances if no transfer fee is payable (perhaps because the player has reached the end of his contract) or if the player satisfies some but not all of the automatic criteria.
If the player fails to score 5 points or more, there is one final review stage during which further arguments can be made if there are extenuating circumstances that are beyond the control of the player or national association (for example, a long term injury or suspension that has prevented the player from appearing in the last year).
