Tier 2 Skilled Migrants (General Category)

This visa is for people immigrating to the United Kingdom with a job offer to fill a gap that cannot be filled by a settled worker. For 2012/13 and 2013/14 there will be an annual cap of 20,700 skilled workers. The annual limit begins each year on 6 April. There is no limit on the number of workers coming to the UK to do jobs with an annual salary of £150,000 or higher.

Summary of Employer Requirements

If an organisation wishes to offer employment to people from outside the EEA/ EU under the terms of Tier 2 then it must first:

• Register with the UK Border Agency and obtain a Sponsorship License
• Advertise the job in the UK in accordance with the terms of the Resident Labour Market Test
• Issue a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship to an applicant it wishes to employ

If you are an employer and need assistance with obtaining a Tier 2 Sponsorship License then please complete a free evaluation form

Summary of Applicant Requirements

In order to gain entry into the UK under the terms of Tier 2, an applicant must :

• Have an offer of employment from a Licensed Sponsor and a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from that employer
• Satisfy the Maintenance Requirement for his or herself and each dependent
• Satisfy the English Language Requirement
• Gain 70 points or more in a Points Test which reflects the above and other factors such as academic qualifications and prospective earnings

General Rules applicable to all applicants wanting to travel to the UK under Tier 2

Skilled migrant workers coming to the UK under Tier 2 of the points-based system will no longer be able to settle in the UK simply based on the amount of time they have spent in the country. There will continue to be a route to settlement (permanent residence) for some Tier 2 migrants, if you meet a minimum salary threshold of £35,000. Although it is important to note that immigrants doing shortage occupation jobs, and scientists and researchers in PhD-level roles, will be exempt from the £35,000 threshold requirement for permanent residence. Temporary permission to enter and remain in the UK will, for many Tier 2 visa holders, be capped at 6 years.

Transitional arrangements are available only for migrants currently in the following
categories who wish to extend their leave under the points based system:

• work permit holders (business, commercial, sports, entertainment)
• airport-based operational ground staff of an overseas-owned airline
• ministers of religion, missionaries, and members of a religious order.