UK Work Visas
UK Tier 2 (General) Visa
The Sponsored worker (Tier 2 General) visa is for medium and highly skilled workers with a job offer in the United Kingdom to fill a position that could not be otherwise filled by a UK or EEA national. The Sponsored worker (Tier 2 General) visa allows UK companies to fill existing labour shortages. Specific sponsored worker visas for Intra-Company Transfers, Ministers of Religion and Sportspersons are available under Tier 2.
Applicants who are granted temporary residence under the Sponsored worker (Tier 2 General) visa scheme are permitted to live and work in the UK for the duration of their employment for a maximum three (3) year period, or the time given on the certificate of sponsorship, whichever is shorter.
Assessment for Businesses
Assessment for Employees
Sponsored Worker (Tier 2 General) Visa Requirements
The basic requirement for this visa is to score a minimum of 70 points for attributes including sponsorship, qualifications, prospective earnings, English language and available maintenance (funds).
In the first instance, a prospective sponsor will apply to the UK Border Agency in order to be granted a licence. When successfully licensed, a sponsor can apply for a number of certificates of sponsorship, which they can then present to the people whom they intend to sponsor. Once a prospective employee has been allocated a certificate of sponsorship, he or she will be eligible to apply for UK entry clearance or leave to remain in the UK.
Assessment for Businesses
Assessment for Employees
Sponsored Worker (Tier 2 General) Visa Entitlements
The Sponsored Worker (Tier 2 General) visa is issued for an initial maximum period of three (3) years.
Upon successfully holding a Sponsored Worker (Tier 2 General) for a total of five (5) years, individuals may be entitled to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR entitles individuals to permanent residency in as well as visa-free travel to and from the UK. ILR holders may also be able to sponsor their non-British relatives into the UK and may also ultimately be eligible to apply for British citizenship.
Eligible dependants may also qualify to be included and upon obtaining the visa, may be entitled to work or study without any restrictions.
Assessment for Businesses
Assessment for Employees
Sponsored Worker (Tier 2 General) Visa Processing Time and Costs
| SPONSORED WORKER (TIER 2 GENERAL) | OUTSIDE THE UK (ENTRY CLEARANCE) | INSIDE THE UK (FLR) |
|---|---|---|
| Government Main Application Fee | UK£494 | UK£578 |
| Government Partner Application Fee | UK£494 | UK£434* |
| Government Child Application Fee | UK£494 | UK£434* |
| Premium Migration Service | US$1999 | |
| Processing Times | 1-12 weeks | 4-16 weeks |
* The reduced fee will be applicable when the dependent applies at the same time with the main applicant.
- Other Work Visas
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High Value Migrants: Tier 1 (General) Visa Extensions
The Tier 1 (General) visa gives highly skilled workers the opportunity to come to the UK without a job offer to live and work temporarily. This route is currently closed to new applicants and only those who are already in the UK and want to extend their visas may apply. -
Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) Visa
The Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) visa provides international graduates in the UK an opportunity to find work in the UK without a sponsor. -
Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer)
The Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa allows those with an offer of transfer or secondment to live and work in the UK as a sponsored worker. -
Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) Visa
The Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa allows religious workers with a job offer from a UK-based organisation to live and work in the UK as a sponsored worker. -
Tier 2 (Sportsperson) Visa
The Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa allows internationally established sportspersons and coaches to live and work in the UK as a sponsored worker. -
Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Visa
The Tier 5 visa category includes a range of temporary work visas which allow specific types of workers to undertake short term and temporary work in the UK. -
Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme)
The Youth Mobility Scheme allows 18 - 30 year olds from participating countries an opportunity to holiday and work in the UK for up to two (2) years. -
Bulgarians and Romanians
The category for Bulgarians & Romanians is designed to allow Bulgarian and Romanian nationals to start their own business or work in the UK. -
Domestic Worker Visa
A Domestic Worker visa allows domestics working for an overseas employer in a private household to accompany their employer when they visit or move to the UK. -
Sole Representative Visa
A Sole Representative permit allows a representative of an overseas company to set up a branch or subsidiary of the company in the UK.
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