Tier 2 Work Visa for UK

Introduced in 2008, the Tier 2 Visa is a popular category of visa that allows people from all across the world to work in the United Nations for a fixed period of time. Note that it is part of a point-based system (PBS) that dictates the flow of foreign workers coming to the country.

In order to get approval for this type of work visa, you must have a job offer from a registered employer in the UK. Besides, there is an eligibility criteria you must meet.

The main highlight of this visa is that it allows you to bring your partner, children, and other dependents with you. Moreover, you can also apply for a permanent residency in the UK on meeting certain eligibility requirements.

As per the experts, the Tier 2 visa is one of the easiest ways to enter and settle in the United Kingdom.

[Note: The Tier 2 Visa has been replaced by the Skilled Worker Visa.]

Indians were among the top nationals who were granted long-term work visas in 2022.

The proportion of UK skilled worker-dependent visas increased to 37% in 2022 from just 29% in 2019.

The number of approved work visas in 2022 was 268,000, almost double that in 2019.

UK Tier 2 Visa Application

List of Eligible Jobs

Find Your UK Job Code

Besides offering work opportunities to skilled workers from across the globe, the Tier 2 Visa is also granted to individuals under certain situations, these include:

• Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer Visa: This visa is designed for the transfer of employees who are working in companies that are based in the United Kingdom, as well as other countries.

• Tier 2 Sportsperson Visa: It is granted to the sports persons as well as coaches who either have notable achievements in the field of sports or have excellent skills that can help British candidates participate in a fitness or sports competition.

• Tier 2 Minister of Religion Visa: This visa is designed for ministers of religion who belong to a registered religious organisation. Note that the candidates must have a registered Chapter in the UK to be eligible for this visa.

The following are the main benefits of a Tier 2 Visa for the UK:

Work and Settle in the United Kingdom for 5 Years

The primary advantage of the UK Tier 2 Visa is that it allows you to live and work in the United Kingdom for an extended period of five years. Not only that, you can extend your stay after five years through a simple application process.

Easily Apply for Permanent Residency

Another perk of a Tier 2 Visa is that it gives you a golden chance to convert it into a Permanent Residency permit or PR. On the contrary to the difficult and time-consuming PR path to the UK, following the route of a Tier 2 visa to enter the country is fairly simple and easy.

Bring Family Members

Unlike other types of work visas, you can bring your spouse and children with the Tier 2 visa without going through any complicated process.

Benefit from a Growing Economy

Finally, this visa gives you the opportunity to become a part of a growing economy, maximise your earnings and lead a lifestyle you have always wanted.

You can apply for a Tier 2 or Skilled Worker Visa if you adhere to the following requirements:

You must have an offer for a skilled, valid job from a UK employer. Note that the employer must hold a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence from UKVI.

You should have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) number from your employer.

Your offered salary must be above £20,800, the minimum salary threshold.

You must meet the English language requirement, which is CEFR level B1, in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

You must be able to show a maintenance fund equivalent to £945 to support your lifestyle in the UK. Note that this fund must be maintained for a minimum period of ninety days.

Your potential employer must undergo and pass the Resident Labour Market test for the offered job.

Below is the list of requirements for Tier 2 Visa UK:

• Valid passport of the applicant. It should remain valid for the complete duration of the stay in the United Kingdom.

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer. This will act as proof that you have a valid job offer.

• Passport-size photograph as per the specifications of the UK government.

• Certificate of educational qualifications. You must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and provide your original degree certificate.

• Tuberculosis Test Result. Depending on your country of residence, you might be required to undergo a tuberculosis test and submit the report at the time of applying for the visa.

• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). Based on the duration on which you have stayed in other countries, you might be required to provide your criminal record certificate from your home country.

• Complete the Declaration Form.

Note: You might be required to submit a few additional documents under certain circumstances. It is advisable to confirm the same with the concerned authorities.

The tier 2 Visa application process is quite simple and straightforward. All you need to do is follow the below Steps:

Step-1: Acquire a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a registered UK employer. Basically, your potential employer must sponsor you for the Tier 2 General Visa.

Step-2: Fill the visa application online. Here are the Steps you need to follow:

Visit the official Visa website of the UK government.

Provide the required information and attach the supporting documents.

Step-3: Submit the visa application fee. Note that the cost will vary depending on your country of residence, your age and the duration of your stay.

Step-4: Provide your biometric details such as your digital photographs and fingertips. This **Step can be performed at any Visa Application Centre (VAC).

Step-5: Appear for the visa interview. This is usually done to verify your identity, background and purpose of visa application.

Step-6: Wait for the interview result. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to months. You will be notified about the result on your registered email or mobile number.

Step-7: If your visa application is approved, you will be provided with an Entry Clearance Certificate (ECC) that remains valid for a period of 3 months. You can travel to the UK using this document attached to your passport.

Step-8: After reaching the UK, you will be required to collect the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within ten days of your arrival.

This is all you need to do to obtain a Tier 2 visa for the United Kingdom. Once all the **Steps are done, make sure to adhere to all the conditions of your visa.

This includes working for the employer who has sponsored you, keeping the BRP safe, and notifying your Home Office regarding any changes in the documents or personal details.

The Skilled Worker Dependent Visa is introduced for the partners and children of the person who has come to the United Kingdom on a Skilled Worker or Tier 2 Visa or have applied for the same.

Here is a list of people who are eligible to apply for a dependent visa:

• Spouse

• Same-sex / Unmarried Partner

• Children below 18 years if age (at the time of application)

• Dependent children over 18 years of age

Note that the partnership should be legal and genuine. All people on a dependent visa should plan to stay together during the entire period of stay in the UK.

The Tier 2 Visa processing time depends on various factors such as your country of residence, type of employment, and so on.

Generally, it is recommended to apply for a Tier 2 Work Visa at least 3-4 months before your joining date in the UK company. You can find this starting date on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) you have received from your UK-based employer.

After giving the visa interview, most candidates get their results within three weeks. This time depends mainly on the vacancies in the Shortage Occupation List. It means that you can expect visa approval early if you have a CoS for a high-demand job.

At the time of applying for Tier 2 Visa, you need to take care of the following costs regardless of from where you are applying:

Application Fee: The standard Tier 2 Visa application fee ranges from £719 to £1,500 (~ ₹73,991 - ₹1.55 lakh) based on different factors such as your job and duration of stay. If your job belongs to the Shortage Occupation List, then you may have to pay a lower fee.

Healthcare Surcharge: Healthcare surcharge in the UK is £624 (~₹64,215) per annum.

Support Funds: When you arrive in the UK, you need to show a reserved fund of at least £1,270 (~₹1.3 lakh) to prove that you can support yourself in the country. Note that this money should be maintained in your account for at least 28 days.

This is the standard cost of a Tier 2 Visa. You will be told the exact amount you need to pay at the time of application.

Following are the most in-demand skills in the United Kingdom:

Project Management: Many businesses in the UK are looking for skilled project managers to run their businesses swiftly and efficiently.

**Sales: Over the last few decades, the number of businesses has increased to a significant level. This has presented an increased demand for talented and experienced sales professionals in the United Kingdom. If you are someone with excellent communication and convincing skills, you can easily find a variety of high-paying jobs in the UK.

Customer Service: Reliable customer service assistants are always in need across all industries. It is surely a high-demand skill across all over the UK.

Finance and Accounting: Accounting and finance is among the most thriving sectors in the UK. If you have these skills, you can easily get a high-paying job.

Computing and Software: The UK IT sector is booming at lightning speed. This has increased the demand for skills like programming, coding, data analysis, and so on.

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The Tier 2 Visa is a great way to start your journey in the United Kingdom. It is a work visa that allows you to work and live in the UK for a duration of up to five years. All you need to do is get a Certificate of Sponsorship from an eligible employer in the UK.

As compared to other types of visas, the Tier 2 or Skilled Worker Visa has a higher success rate. It means that you have better chances of visa approval.

We have discussed everything you need to know about the UK Tier 2 visa requirements. We hope it helps!

Information last updated Nov 23. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.