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• Minimum salary likely for ILR applicants post 2016
• A2 worker rules likely to remain in force until 2014
• Revised shortage occupation list proposed by the MAC
• Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) category starts 9th August 2011
• Government signals end of ILR for migrant workers

Tier 2 Visa (General)

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.  The qualifying jobs, and minimum salaries pertaining to these jobs, are shown on a Code of Practice for graduate occupations and shortage occupations, see links below:

Graduate occupations, go to:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/employersandsponsors/pointsbasedsystem/graduate-cop/

Shortage occupations, go to:
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/workingintheuk/shortageoccupationlist.pdf

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).

There are two kinds of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS):  An unrestricted CoS and a restricted CoS.

An unrestricted CoS may be issued by employers to people already here in the UK on work permits, Tier 2 (General), post-study work or student visas.  There is no cap on the number of Unrestricted CoS.

A restricted CoS is needed by  those outside the country or here in the UK on a visit, dependant or other unqualifying visa. This must first be requested by the employer from the Sponsor Licence Unit, and points will be awarded according to salary on offer – so the higher the salary, the more likely a sponsor is to be awarded a CoS. There will be 1500 restricted CoS available each month.

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 has passed the Resident Labour Market Test, or if job is a shortage occupation or the salary is £150,000 p.a. or are currently employed by the same employer.
• 20 points if the salary is £20,000 and above or you your current leave to remain is as a work permit holder or Tier 2 (General) migrant before 6th April 2011.
• 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 premium same-day service for Tier 2 (General) 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 2 (General) 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.