Tier 2 (formerly Work Permits)

As part of the Home Office's move over to a new Points Based System for immigration, Tier 2 came into effect from 27 November 2008.  There are 4 categories within the Tier:

• General 
• Intra-company transfer
• Sportsperson
• Minister of Religion

Employers must now register with the UK Border Agency for a Sponsorship Licence which enables them to employ migrant workers from outside the EEA.

There is a charge for this:

        £300 for small companies (as defined by Companies Act 2006) and charities
        £1000 for others

Once the employer is registered they be placed on-line in the Register of Sponsors list. The employer must then pay £170 for each person they wish to sponsor to work for them.  In addition there the person sponsored must pay £265 for their entry clearance or £465 if switching in-country.             
View info on sponsors register

Before employing a non-EEA national employers must carry out a "Resident Labour Market Test" by advertising the post. All vacancies advertised on or after 14 December 2009 must be advertised to settled workers for 28 calendar days. 

However, jobs in occupations on a UK Border Agency Shortage Occupation List (Scotland has its own) do not have to meet the Resident Labour Market Test.  

The job must also pay the appropriate salary for the post.

The skilled worker must then score at least 50 points from 3 attributes as well as 10 points each for maintenance and English language skills. The three attributes are:

Sponsorship - job on the Shortage Occupation List 50 pts; Resident Labour Markets Test 30pts; switching from Post Study Work 30 pts
Qualifications - below degree (e.g. 'A' level) 5 pts; Bachelor's or Master's 10 pts; PhD 15 pts
Future earnings - £17k-£19,999 - 5 pts; £20k-£21,999 - 10pts; £22k-£23,999 - 15pts; £24k or more - 20pts

maintenance - migrant must have at least £800 - 10pts
English language skills (be a national of a majority Englisg speaking country; pass an English language test; holds a degree that was taught in English and is equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree or above) - 10pts  
Find out more about Tier 2 General

The individual must have worked for the overseas part of the company for at least 6 months directly before the transfer. The job must be at least S/NVQ level 3 though it is not required that it meets the Resident Labour Market Test.

Points: applicant must score 50 points from the 3 attributes mentioned above at Tier 2 General and score 10 points for maintenance making a total of 60 points. English language skills are only required if the transferee wishes to stay beyond 3 years.
Find out more about Tier 2 Intra Coy Transfers

Tier 2 Sportsperson

This category is for elite sportspeople and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level.  

Points: 70 points are required from the 3 attributes: Certificate of Sponsorship 50 points; English language skills 10 points; maintenance 10 points. 

For a certificate of sponsorship to be issued, the sponsor will require an endorsement for the applicant from the appropriate governing body for his/her sport. This endorsement will conform that:

•     the player or coach is internationally established at the highest level, and
•     will make a significant contribution to the development of his/her sport at the highest level in the UK; and
•     the post could not be filled by a suitable settled worker

 This endorsement will be obtained from the governing body by the sponsor.
Find out more about Tier 2 Sportsperson

Tier 2 Minister of Religion

This category includes anyone who acts as a minister, whether regularly or on a one off occasion, and/or performs pastoral duties.  The category also for applicants coming to work in the UK as a missionary or a member of a religious order, like in a monastic community of monks or nuns, or a similar religious community involving a permanent commitment. 
Find out more on Minister of Religion

Up to a mximum of 2 additonal