UK Tier 2 (General) Visa

The Tier 2 (General) visa category is for skilled workers with a job offer in a shortage occupation in the UK.

A maximum of 20, 700 visas are available under the Tier 2 (General) visa category for skilled sponsored workers between 6 April 2011 and 5 April 2012. Skilled sponsored workers who earn more than £150,000 per annum are exempt from this cap.

Specific sponsored work visas for Intra-Company Transfers, Ministers of Religion and Sportspersons are also available under the Tier 2 visa category.

Employers seeking to sponsor or hire foreign workers can sign up for UK Corporate Immigration Services.

Tier 2 (General) Visa Requirements

To qualify for a Tier 2 (General) visa under the UK points-based system, applicants must score a minimum of 70 points for attributes including sponsorship, salary and allowances, English language and maintenance (available funds).

Tier 2 (General) visa applicants must have a Certificate of Sponsorship and to be eligible for a Certificate of Sponsorship, at least one of the following requirements must also be met:

• the applicant’s job offer must be in an occupation on the shortage occupation list; or
• the applicant’s job offer must include remuneration of at least £150,000 per annum; or
• the applicant’s sponsor must have completed a resident labour market test; or
• the applicant must be switching in to the Tier 2 (General) visa scheme from a Post-Study category; or
• the applicant must be applying to extend their stay and continue working in t he same job for the same employer in the UK.

Tier 2 (General) visa applicants may also be required to meet certain health and character requirements.

Tier 2 (General) Visa Entitlements

A Tier 2 (General) visa entitles the holder to live and work in the UK temporarily. A Tier 2 (General) visa is usually granted for an initial period of up to three (3) years and extensions may be granted.

Spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age may be included on the visa application to accompany their spouse or parent to the UK.

The Tier 2 (Genera;) visa may lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) which entitles individuals to permanent residency in the UK.

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