What Is UK Tier 2 Visa?

The British Points-Based System includes the Tier 2 General Work visa as a type of work visa for the UK. Highly skilled individuals outside of the European Economic Area and Switzerland who have a job offer for a skilled position or a position on the Shortage List are eligible to get it.

You must have an employment offer from an authorised sponsorship in the UK in order to become eligible to qualify for this visa. As proof, you must present a sponsorship certificate from the employer.

If you have a Tier 2 General Work Visa, you are able to leave the UK while you have it. On such a Tier 2 Dependent Visa, you may also bring dependents with you to the UK.

Who Needs A UK Tier 2 Visa?

You must fulfil a number of qualifying requirements to be eligible to qualify for a UK General Work Visa. These requirements are as follows:

• You must overcome the general reasons for rejection.
• To be eligible for a professional job or a position on the Shortage List, you should have a job and sponsorship from a company in the UK.
• offer a minimum income of £25,600 per year for a Tier 2 visa.

In addition, the applicant must meet the requirements listed below and be able to accrue points in each of the following areas because the visa is based on the Point Based System:

• Possess 50 attribute points.
• Get at least 10 points for English language proficiency.
• Be at least 16 years old.
• A maximum of 10% of the company’s shares if their sponsorship is a limited company. An exception to this rule occurs when the candidate earns at least £159,600 per year.
• Cannot accept any form of public funding.
• Must not obtain any other employment in the UK other than the position with the Certificate of Sponsorship Verification Service. This excludes side jobs and volunteer work.
• Complies with the requirements to possess a clearance certificate from the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS).

When To Apply For A UK General Work Visa (Tier 2)?

Three months before the date you want to begin working in the UK is the earliest you can register for a UK General Work Visa. Your sponsorship certificate includes this date.

What Are The Document Requirements For A Tier 2 Visa?

You must provide the necessary paperwork for any UK visa application, as well as the following records that are required just for Tier 2 visa applications, in order to be considered for a Tier 2 visa.

• A certificate from the employer sponsoring (CoS) a Tier 2 Visa: The certificate needs to be granted by a sponsor employer in the UK that is A-rate approved and has an accepted job salary. It also needs to have a registration number for a job in the UK.
• Criminal record certificate: You’ll need to provide a criminal record certificate if you’re applying from outside the UK and you work in: • Education: for example, teachers, education advisers and school inspectors, childminders, teaching assistants • Health Care: for example, nurses, doctors, paramedics, managers, pharmacists, dentists and dental nurses, ophthalmic opticians • Therapy: for example psychologists, speech and language therapists, counsellors • Social Services, for example, social workers, managers, probation officers, welfare and housing officers
• Results of the tuberculosis test: Only necessary if you are a citizen of a nation that requires you to take the exam.
• Police registration certificate.
• Proof you have the money to maintain yourself financially in the UK.

Tier 2 Visa Application

You will have to complete your initial application process for a Tier 2 General Work Visa from outside the UK, more specifically from your home country.

First, you will need to complete the online application on the official website of the UK government. The online application form consists of questions on your basic information and your purpose for travelling to the UK.

Second, get all of the required documents for a UK General work visa application. Note that you may also need to take a tuberculosis test depending on your country of residence and obtain a criminal record certificate. Paying a health surcharge is also necessary.

Lastly, if this is your first time travelling to the UK, you will need to schedule an appointment at the nearest application centre, UK embassy or consulate in your home country, where should submit biometrics and a photograph of yours.

Switching From Tier 4 To Tier 2

You must be in possession of a Tier 4 child or student visa in order to transfer to a Tier 2 visa. The following prerequisites must be completed as well, though:

• They have studied in a UK educational institution that is a degree-awarding and licenced as a Tier 4 sponsor.
• They have undergraduate or postgraduate degrees from a UK educational institution.

Tier 2 General Work Visa Maintenance Funds

You must have available the bare minimum of saved funds needed to pay for your living expenses and those of any dependents. The bare minimum needed is £630 for any dependents; £945 for you. You are excused from this requirement if your living expenses are covered by the sponsoring employer. In this situation, you should present the sponsor’s official document as evidence.

UK Tier 2 Visa Validity

A Tier 2 General Work Visa has a defined duration of validity, allowing you to remain in the UK for no more than 5 years, 1 month or 2 weeks after the ending of your employment contract (as indicated by the Certification of Sponsorship Verification Service), whichever is shorter.

UK Tier 2 Visa Processing Time

Three months before starting your job in the UK, you can register for this visa. The sponsorship certificate you will receive through your UK employer will include the start date.

Three weeks after submitting your application, you will learn the outcome regarding your visa. Many applicants should expect their processing times to be shortened as a result of the UK government adding new professions to the Shortage Occupation List.

Tier 2 Visa Certificate Of Sponsorship

An employment organisation or business that is authorised to sponsor candidates should provide a Certificate of Sponsorship. This is a digital document with just a reference number that contains all the information about you, the business, the position being offered, the remuneration and any pertinent dates.

The certificate can only be used once to apply for a visa. A new certificate is necessary for new applications.

Tier 2 Visa Extension

You can apply for an extension if you want to stay in the UK longer to work a skilled job after the current visa expires. If the entire length of the stay is no more than six years, this visa may be extended for an additional five years.

To be qualified to submit an extension request, you must:

• Work for the same company that approved your first application and awarded the sponsorship certificate.
• Earn a minimum of £25,600 per year or the salary and benefits that are appropriate for the position.
• Settling in the UK as a holder of a Tier 2 Visa

Settle In The UK As A Tier 2 Visa Holder

You may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain if you have been in the UK for at least five years in a row on a Tier 2 General Work visa (ILR). You must meet the following conditions:

• Meet the initial requirements for a Tier 2 General Work visa.
• Submit documentation demonstrating absences from the UK. For each year of full-time, a maximum of 180 days of absence are permitted.
• a letter of sponsorship from an authorised Tier 2 Sponsor. The sponsors must either still hold their Tier 2 Sponsor Licence for the relevant category or be awaiting the outcome of their renewal application. The certificate must demonstrate the sponsor’s willingness to continue paying you a particular wage for a set amount of time.
• Knowledge of the English language and UK culture.
• Not have a history of extending their stay in the UK.

Tier 2 General Visa Fees

The visa fees for a Tier 2 General visa vary depending on your citizenship and whether you are applying from within the UK or from outside the country since different fees are charged to citizens of Turkey and North Macedonia. Remember that the application expenses for UK visas could change virtually every day.

Recognised Jobs Under The Tier 2 Visa

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), which was introduced in October 2015 with the primary aim of assisting individuals in understanding all the qualifications that the UK Home Office regulates—general and vocational in England and vocational in Northern Ireland—categorizes jobs in accordance with. These levels are divided into groups based on how challenging they are. The fourth and sixth levels of the RQF employment levels are covered by the Tier 2 General visa.