Work Permits Tier 2 - [TIER 2 VISA]
Tier 2 Visa Overview
Tier 2 was implemented on 27 November 2008 and offers an entry route into the United Kingdom for skilled workers who are citizens of countries outside of the European Economic Area. In all cases people applying for entry under this scheme MUST be in possession of a JOB OFFER and fulfill other requirements as detailed for the different categories.
Tier 2 has four categories:
General: for people coming to the United Kingdom with a job offer to fill a gap that cannot be filled by a settled worker which may or may not be on the Shortage Occupation List +
Intra Company Transfers: for employees of multi-national companies who are being transferred by an overseas employer to a skilled job in a UK-based branch of the organization +
Sports People: for elite sportspeople and coaches whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at the highest level *
Ministers of Religion: for those people coming to fill a vacancy as a Minister of Religion, Missionary or Member of a Religious Order *
+ To qualify for inclusion under the General and Intra Company Transfer categories of Tier 2, a job must require a skill level of S/NVQ level 3 or above as indicated in the codes of practice relevant to the sector and to the job
* Ministers of religion and sports people on temporary assignment should apply for entry under Tier 5 for Temporary Workers
Tier 2 replaced the UK Work Permits scheme. People wanting to extend their leave to remain in the UK who were initially granted leave under the Work Permit scheme are allowed to switch into Tier 2. For a complete list of categories eligible to switch please see Tier 2 - Switching from another scheme.
If you do not have a job offer and can be categorized as highly skilled then Tier 1 (General) for Highly Skilled Migrants may offer an appropriate route of entry to the UK.
