Tier 2

The following information is given in order to provide you with a generalised overview of the Tier 2 points based system. If however you wish to obtain further information or you wish to engage our services, please complete the 'Contact Us Form' at the bottom of the page to enable a member of our team to contact you and advise you further.

In order to be eligible for Tier 2 a migrant must have a job offer and a certificate of sponsorship from an organisation that is a licensed sponsor in the UK. The sponsor must meet the requirements for the category the migrant is applying under and accept certain responsibilities. The migrant must also score a minimum of: 50 points for Attributes, which includes having a sponsor and a valid certificate of sponsorship; 10 points for English language skills (except for certain intra-company transfer); and, 10 points for Maintenance (funds).

Tier 2

There are four routes within Tier 2 for skilled sponsored workers, namely:

• Tier 2 General - this route is for skilled workers who have received a job offer from a UK employer. The number of places available under Tier 2 (General) under certain circumstances is restricted to 20,700 during the year from 6 April 2011 to 5 April 2012.
• Intra-company transfer - this route is for multi-national organisations that need to transfer employees to the UK. There are four sub-categories:
  • Long Term Staff and Short Term Staff – these routes are for established, skilled employees who need to be transferred to the UK branch of their organisation to fill a post that cannot be filled by a settled worker.
  • Graduate Trainee – this route allows the transfer of recent graduate recruits to a UK branch of their organisation, for training purposes.
  • Skills Transfer – this route allows the transfer of employees to a UK branch of their organisation to acquire the skills and knowledge that they will need overseas or to impart specialist skills or knowledge to the UK workforce.
• Minister of Religion - this route is for ministers of religion undertaking preaching and pastoral work, members of religious orders and missionaries, who want to take up employment, or a post/role within their faith community in the UK.
• Sports person - this is for players and highly skilled coaches who want to take up employment in the UK.

English Language Requirement

10 points for your English language skills, unless you are applying under Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer) and you are not applying to extend your leave in this category beyond three years. If you are unable to score 10 points for English language skills, your application will be refused, even if you have scored 50 points or more for attributes and have met all the other Tier 2 requirements.

If you are applying under the Tier 2 (General) category you must have a level of English equivalent to level B1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language Learning. If you are applying under Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) category, you must have a high level of English language as a result of the need to speak to and for the religious communities you will represent. The level of English that must be met is equivalent to level B2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language Learning. If you are applying under Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer) or Tier 2 (Sportsperson) you must be able to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases, to introduce yourself and others and ask questions about very basic personal details. This level is closest to level A1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language Learning.

The above criteria can be met if you are:

• A national of a majority English speaking country; or
• Hold a degree that was taught or researched in English which must be equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree or above; or
• Pass and English language test at the appropriate level.

Maintenance

You must score 10 points for maintenance by showing you have at least £800 of available funds. If you are unable to score 10 points for maintenance, your application will be refused, even if you have scored 50 points or more for Attributes and have met all the other Tier 2 requirements. 10 points can be claimed if:

• Your score 30 points for switching from a post study category (this applies to in-country applications only); or
• Your A – rated sponsor certifies on the certificate of sponsorship that they will maintain and accommodate you up to the end of your first month of employment in the UK if required. The sponsor may limit the amount of the undertaking but any limit must be at least £800.00; or
• You have personal savings of at last £800 which must have been held for a consecutive 90 day period ending no more than 1 calendar month before the date of your application.