Tier 2 - General Visa

What is a Tier 2 Visa?

A Tier 2 visa lets you move to or stay in the UK if you have an offer for a skilled job in the country from a licenced sponsor. You can only apply if you're from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

• General Work Visa - for people who have an offer of a skilled job that can't be filled by a settled worker
• Intra-company Transfer Visa - for people who already work for a multinational employer and need to transfer to a UK branch. This includes both graduates transferring for training and long-term staff transferring to fill a post that can't be filled by a settled worker
• Minister of Religion Visa - for Ministers of Religion, Missionaries, or Members of a Religious Order taking up a religious post in the UK
• Sportsperson Visa - for elite sportspeople or coaches who can make a significant contribution to their sport in the UK.

Tier 2 visas can last up to five years. You can extend your visa when it runs out, but in most cases your total stay in the UK can't go over six years.

Applying for a Tier 2 Visa

Prior to applying for a Tier 2 visa, you'll to need obtain a certificate of sponsorship from your prospective employer. This proves that your employer has confirmed that your job is eligible for sponsorship.

• You are paid a minimum salary - how much depends on the type of work you do
• You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
• You have at least £945 in savings in the event your employer is unable to certify your maintenance

Some people may also need to provide tuberculosis test results or criminal record certificates depending on their home country.

Applying online

• Outside the UK and are coming to the UK
• Inside the UK and extending your current visa
• Inside the UK and switching from a different visa

If you want to change your job or employer, you must apply to update your visa.. You can also include your partner and children in your application to stay in the UK if they are eligible.

Hiring employees on a Tier 2 Visa

Your company will be required to hold a Tier 2 sponsor licence. Once you have a licence, you'll need to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to each new migrant worker you want to employ. You must pay for each certificate and may have to pay an immigration skills charge for certain employees as well.

• You have illustrated that you were unable to hire someone already resident in the United Kingdom
• The job requires a skilled position
• You are paying the appropriate salary for the job in hand
• The employee is suitably skilled or qualified for the job

Why choose Westridge Legal?

Our team of experienced immigration lawyers work with businesses and organisations across the UK and have placed many Tier 2 Visa applicants successfully. We can navigate the complex requirements of business sponsor licences and Tier 2 Visas and support you in your matter every step of the way.

If you wish to speak about your options directly with our specialist staff, please contact us on 0121 724 0302 to book a consultation today.