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• STOP PRESS -16/08/2010 - Same Day Service available for Tier 4 Student visa applications
• STOP PRESS - 29/06/2010 - Migrants marrying UK citizens must now learn English
• STOP PRESS - 29/06/2010 - Imminent reductions in the number of Tier 1 and Tier 2 visas announced today
• STOP PRESS - 07/04/2010 – Tier 4 changes for education providers and migrant students
• STOP PRESS - 07/04/2010 – New rules for skilled and highly skilled migrant workers

Tier 2 (General)

The Experts For All UK Visas

The skilled worker category (Tier 2 General) is for people coming to the United Kingdom with a skilled job offer to fill a gap in the workforce that cannot be filled by a settled worker.

Who can apply as a skilled worker?

Before you can apply for a (Tier 2 General) visa you must have a job offer from a UK firm, and that firm must have a Sponsor Licence and issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (this is a virtual document rather than a piece of paper).

Once you have a certificate of sponsorship you must still score a total of 70 points:

• 50 points for your attributes (sponsorship, qualifications and future expected earnings; and
• 10 points for English language; and
• 10 points for available maintenance (funds).

For initial applications the points are awarded as follows:

For the certificate of sponsorship

• 30 points if switching from Tier 1 (PSW) or passed the Resident Labour Market Test
• 50 points if job is a shortage occupation

For qualifications

• 0 points for no qualification or under GCE A-level
• 5 points for GCE A-level or equivalent
• 10 points for a Bachelor degree
• 15 points for a Masters degree or PhD

For future expected earnings

• 0 points for earnings below £20,000 p.a.
• 10 points for earnings of £20,000 - £23,999
• 15 points for earnings of £24,000 - £27,999
• 20 points for earnings of £28,000 - £31,999

There are very specific and particular rules relating to how all your supporting evidence should be prepared and presented and a number of variations to the above rules with regard to those who can apply under the transitional arrangements. Call us for more details on 01403 801801.

UK VISAS manages Tier 2 (General) visa applications on a weekly basis and has a 100% success record with these to date, so you can be confident you will receive correct advice and have your application prepared properly by employing us to make your application for you.

UK VISAS also offers a same day service for Tier 1 (Post-study work) visa applications. This includes our ‘Meet and Greet’ service the day before the application is made to assist clients have their biometric data enrolled.

Fees breakdown

Our fee for managing Tier 1 (Post-study work) visa applications is:

The Home Office charges are:

TIER 2 VISA, GENERAL TIER 2 VISA

A tier 2 visa, general tier 2 visa is for migrants who are able to fill an employment vacancy that has not been filled by a UK resident. Some occupations are also underfed by the resident UK market, making them suitable for candidates seeking a tier 2 visa, general tier 2 visa. The UK government has currently imposed a limit on the number of applications that can be made for a tier 2 visa, general tier 2 visa.

Applicants for the tier 2 visa, general tier 2 visa must have a sponsor together with a valid certificate of sponsorship. Candidates will be successful if they can gain enough points to fulfil the requirements of the tier 2 visa, general tier 2 visa. This is similar to the tier 1 entrepreneur visas.

Maintenance points for the tier 2 visa, general tier 2 visa will be awarded based on the applicant’s ability to show that they are able to financially support themselves and any dependants. This requires them to have a minimum of £800, with a further £533 for each dependant.

This money can be in the form of personal funds or in the form of a guarantee from a sponsor. In the former case, the money must be in the applicant’s account for a minimum of 3 months without falling below the minimum threshold. A sponsor’s guarantee must be confirmed via the Certificate of Sponsorship.

Points are also awarded based on the applicant’s qualifications, level of sponsorship, English language abilities and the amount they are expected to earn once they begin working.

Holders of a tier 2 visa, general tier 2 visa who originally applied from outside of the UK are allowed to work and live in the UK for a maximum of 37 months or the period specified on the certificate of sponsorship plus one month.

Candidates for the tier 2 visa, general tier 2 visa who are applying from within the UK are sometimes able to switch their immigration category to obtain a tier 2 visa, general tier 2 visa. This allows them to work and live in the country for a total of 36 months or for the period outlined in the certificate of sponsorship plus an additional 2 weeks. At the end of the 36 month period, candidates may apply to extend their stay. If granted, they may remain for another 24 months.