UK Immigration Visa – Tier 1 2 3 4 5, Tier 2

Tier 2 Visa - UK Work Permit

The Tier 2 visa is part of a general overhaul of UK immigration law and replaces the UK work permit.

For migrants wishing to immigrate to the UK, the Tier 2 visa is aimed at the medium to highly skilled worker who has a job offer in the UK.

Tier 2 applicants must have a certificate of sponsorship which is obtained from the prospective employer.

By offering the Tier 2 visa the UK is able to cover shortfalls in the UK labour market, these include sectors such as engineering, information technology and education as well as those published on the UK skills shortage list.

TAKE OUR FREE AND INSTANT TIER 2 ASSESSMENT HERE

When the Tier 2 visa application category is launched it will replace the following work permit categories:

• general work permit employment
• ministers of religion
• airport-based operational staff
• overseas qualified nurse or midwife
• sabbatical posts
• seafarers
• named researchers
• Training and Work Experience Scheme
• Jewish agency employees
• overseas media representatives (journalists and other news media)

Tier 2 Points Based Scoring Criteria

The criteria for the Tier 2 visa has not yet been finalised but the below is expected to form an integral part of the rules and regulations around the points scoring criteria.

Successful applicants for Tier 1 visas are expected to have to achieve a score of 50 points and the breakdown of this is anticipated to be:

Qualifications – the higher the qualification the higher the score will be.

• A PhD qualification  - 15 points
• A Master’s Degree  - 10 points
• A Bachelor’s Degree  - 10 points
• An NVQ level 3 qualification  - 5 points

Prospective earnings – the higher the prospective salary the higher the score

• 17,000 - 19,999 – 5 points
• 20,000 - 21,999 – 10 points
• 22,000 - 23,999 – 15 points
• 24,000 + - 20 points

Skill shortage profession or not – more points will be awarded for occupations that are on the skill shortage list, it is envisaged 50 points for occupations on the skill shortage list and 30 points for occupations not on the skill shortage list but that pass the Resident labour Market test.

English language proficiency – an acceptable level of English language proficiency will need to shown.

Tier 2 Visa - Length of Permit and Permanent Residency

The Tier 2 Visa does allow for applicants to have an opportunity to stay permanently in the UK (indefinite leave to remain). Whilst in itself it does not provide permanent residency, if the permit has been hold for 5 years, an application can be made on this basis to apply for permanent residency (indefinite leave to remain).

Tier 2 Visa - Can Dependants and Spouses Work?

Dependents and spouses, of the main Tier 2 visa applicant, will be issued a UK visa for the same period of time and will also be able to seek employment in the UK.

Tier 2 Visa - Can I Change Jobs?

Tier 2 visa holders can change jobs however the process of obtaining a certificate of sponsorship must be repeated.

Tier 2 Visa - Making a Successful Application

To prove these criteria you will be required to provide extensive and detailed documentation in support of the application. A significant number of applications fail because the applicant has not provided sufficient documentary evidence to support their case.

Utilising the services of a professional immigration consultant will increase your chances of a successful application.

As one of the UK’s leading immigration experts we are able to provide a comprehensive UK visa application service.

For assistance and to find out more about how we can help you:
Complete our free eligibility assessment