Sponsored Migrants – skilled workers sponsored by an employer
Tier 2 of the Points Based System is for those with job offers in the UK who are filling a position that cannot be filled by someone already settled in the UK.
Tier 2 has four categories:
- General – those with an offer of a skilled job that can’t be filled by someone already in the UK
- Intra-Company Transfer – those employed by a multi-national company who are being transferred to a UK branch of the same company
- Sportsperson – for elite sportspersons or coaches
- Ministers of Religion – for those taking up a role within your faith community in the UK, including Missionaries and Members of a Religious Order.
You must have a job offer from an employer who is registered with the UK Border Agency as a Tier 2 sponsor. This employer must then issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship.
To be eligible for Tier 2 of the Points Based System you must score:
- 50 points under ‘Attributes’ – points are earned for the Certificate of Sponsorship, plus having an appropriate salary level for Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (Intra-company transfer)
- 20 points under ‘Controls’ – 10 points for English language skills and 10 points for funds available to you.
- You can check your eligibility for Tier 2 on the points-based calculator.
If you have a job offer from a Tier 2 sponsor but do not want to risk a refusal of your visa, why not use our expertise and inside knowledge to get it right first time? We’d love to work with you!
Note: the UK government have announced an annual quota on Tier 2: General applications of 20,700 for the year 2011/12. For more details see our blog.
If you need to expedite your visa let us know!