Tier 2 Skilled Migrants (General Category)

For people coming to the United Kingdom with a job offer to fill a gap that cannot be filled by a settled worker.

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

After a continous period of residency in the UK for five years, the applicant will be eligible to apply for settlement as a permanent resident (also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain).

If you do not have a job offer and can be categorised as highly skilled then Tier 1 (General) for Highly Skilled Migrants may offer an appropriate route of entry to the UK