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Tier 2 (General) Visa – Now Skilled Worker Route
This visa is for skilled workers with a job offer from a UK-based employer (the sponsor) for a sponsored job.
Key Requirements:
The job must be on the list of eligible occupations (Appendix J) or PhD-level roles.
Jobs on the Shortage Occupation List (Appendix K) may qualify regardless of skill level.
The employer must hold a sponsor licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) detailing the role, salary, skills level, and compliance with the Resident Labour Market Test (if required).
With a valid CoS, the applicant can apply for entry clearance (visa from abroad) or leave to remain (from within the UK).
If your prospective employer doesn’t have a sponsor licence, they may apply for one — ZAR Immigration can assist with this process.
Requirements for a Tier 2 (General) Visa
To apply, you must have:
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK employer.
English language proficiency, met by one of the following:
Citizenship of a majority English-speaking country
A UK degree
A B1-level approved English test
A degree taught in English and recognised by NARIC
Maintenance funds of £945 held for 90 consecutive days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance on your CoS. Most employers are willing to do this to simplify the process.
For tailored support, contact ZAR Immigration.
Minimum Salary for Tier 2 (General) Visa
The standard minimum salary is £30,000 per year, but actual requirements vary by occupation, as listed under SOC codes in Appendix J of the Immigration Rules. If the occupation-specific minimum is higher, that figure applies.
New Entrants (typically recent UK graduates or applicants under 26) may qualify with a lower threshold—£20,800 or the role-specific minimum in Appendix J, whichever is higher.
This reduced rate applies for up to 3 years, after which the higher, experienced rate must be met.
For guidance on salary thresholds and eligibility, contact ZAR Immigration.
Dependants of Tier 2 Migrants
Tier 2 visa holders can bring their spouse/unmarried partner and children to the UK. No other dependants are allowed.
Dependants can work without restrictions but cannot switch to another visa category within the UK. Their right to stay depends entirely on the main visa-holder’s status.
For more details, contact ZAR Immigration.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for Tier 2 Visa Holders
Tier 2 visa holders (except Tier 2 ICT migrants) can apply for ILR after 5 years of continuous UK residence.
Absence Limits:
You must not exceed 180 days’ absence in any 12-month period, even if related to your sponsored job.
Qualifying Time:
The 5 years may include time spent in the UK under other eligible routes, such as overseas business representative, Tier 1 (excluding Post-Study Work), Innovator, or Global Talent.
Long Residence Option:
ILR may also be granted after 10 years of lawful UK residence under any combination of visas, with absence limits of no more than 180 consecutive days or 540 days total over the 10 years.
Good Character Requirement:
Applicants must meet good character standards. Even minor offences (e.g., driving fines) can affect ILR eligibility.
Minimum Salary for ILR:
From 6 April 2019, the minimum salary for Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (Sportsperson) ILR applications is £35,800. Although Home Office guidance incorrectly references £36,200, the correct figure remains £35,800 (see Immigration Rules, paragraph 245HF).
For personalised advice, contact ZAR Immigration.
Tier 2 General FAQs
Can Any Employer Be a Sponsor?
An employer must hold a valid sponsor licence to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship. If they don’t have one, they must apply to the Home Office. Licences are valid for four years and can be renewed.
If the employer has no adverse history, operates a genuine business, and has a genuine skilled job vacancy, ZAR Immigration can assist with the application. Licences are typically granted within 4–8 weeks of applying.
What Is the Sponsorship Process?
Once you accept a job offer, the employer assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
There are two types of CoS:
Restricted CoS: Used for applicants applying for a visa from outside the UK. Most new Tier 2 General applicants need this type.
Unrestricted CoS: Only for those already in the UK extending their Tier 2 visa or switching from a Tier 4 (student) visa to Tier 2 within the UK.
If you are in the UK but do not qualify for an unrestricted CoS, you must apply for your Tier 2 visa from abroad using a restricted CoS.
For help navigating this process, contact Zar Immigration.
Switching into a Tier 2 Visa
You can switch to a Tier 2 visa within the UK if you hold a valid Tier 1 visa (various categories) or a Tier 4 (student) visa.
Recent Tier 4 graduates benefit from exemption from the Resident Labour Market Test.
If you already have a Tier 2 visa and change employers, or if your job role changes significantly, you must apply for a new visa.
For assistance, contact Zar Immigration.
Duration of Tier 2 (General) Visa
The Tier 2 General visa can be granted for up to five years and extended by one additional year.
Extensions beyond six years are only allowed for high earners with a salary of £159,600 or more.
For more details, contact ZAR Immigration.
What Is a Cooling-Off Period?
When a Tier 2 visa holder leaves the UK after sponsored employment lasting more than three months, they must wait 12 months before applying for a new Tier 2 visa. This is the cooling-off period.
Short sponsorships of three months or less do not trigger this period.
High earners earning over £159,600 are exempt from the cooling-off period but cannot stay as Tier 2 migrants for more than 9 years in total.
For guidance, contact Zar Immigration.
Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa
The Tier 2 ICT visa allows employees of an overseas company to be seconded to its UK branch or affiliate holding a Tier 2 ICT sponsor licence. The employee remains employed by the same company.
Key points:
Changing employer while on a Tier 2 ICT visa is not allowed.
Two sub-categories:
Long Term Staff: For senior employees with at least 12 months’ service before transfer or a UK salary of at least £73,900 per year.
Graduate Trainee: For recent graduates with at least 3 months’ experience at the overseas branch, transferred to the UK for specialist training.
For assistance, contact ZAR Immigration.
Tier 2 ICT FAQs
Minimum Salary for Tier 2 ICT
Long-term staff must earn a minimum gross annual salary of £41,500, with higher thresholds for senior roles like CEOs.
Graduate trainees must be paid at least £23,000 per year.
These salary requirements apply only to the employee’s UK salary; overseas earnings do not count.
For personalised advice, contact ZAR Immigration.
Maximum Stay for Tier 2 ICT Visa
Long-term staff can stay up to 5 years, extended to 9 years if earning at least £120,000 annually.
No stay limit applies if the initial Tier 2 ICT application was made before 6 April 2011.
Graduate trainees can stay for up to 12 months.
Unlike Tier 2 General, the Tier 2 ICT visa is temporary and does not lead to settlement. Visa holders are expected to leave the UK when their visa expires.
For guidance, contact ZAR Immigration.
Switching from Tier 2 ICT to Tier 2 General
Switching from Tier 2 ICT to Tier 2 General within the UK is not allowed. Applicants must leave the UK and wait 12 months before applying for a Tier 2 General visa.
Exceptions:
Those sponsored under ICT for less than 3 months
High earners
Note: This rule is set to change in January 2021.
For updates and advice, contact ZAR Immigration.
Can the overseas branch continue paying the employee after transfer to the UK?
Yes, employees can continue to be paid overseas. If paid in foreign currency, the official exchange rate must be used when assigning the Certificate of Sponsorship to ensure the salary meets requirements.
For assistance, contact ZAR Immigration.
Cooling-Off Period for Tier 2 ICT
A 12-month cooling-off period usually applies after a Tier 2 ICT visa holder leaves the UK.
Exceptions:
Previous sponsorship was less than 3 months
High earners returning with a salary of at least £120,000 (Tier 2 ICT) or £159,600 (Tier 2 General)
For advice, contact ZAR Immigration.
Does the 12-month cooling-off period apply if the employee stayed less than 3 months on a Tier 2 ICT visa?
The cooling-off period depends on the length of sponsorship, not the actual UK stay. If the Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned for more than 3 months, the cooling-off period applies—even if the employee left the UK early.
For guidance, contact ZAR Immigration.
How Immigration Solicitors Can Help with Sponsored Work Visas
If you already have a Certificate of Sponsorship, we can represent you in your visa application or extension.
If your employer needs assistance with sponsorship—whether applying for a licence, assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship, or submitting the visa application—we can guide you through every step.
Even if your employer doesn’t have a sponsorship licence, ask them to contact us for the best advice.
If you don’t have a job offer yet, send us your CV and job preferences—we can help you find suitable opportunities.
Contact ZAR Immigration for expert support