Tier 2 (General) route is for non- EEA nationals who have been offered skilled employment to work in particular roles which cannot be filled by settled workers. A skilled worker in any Tier 2 category must not displace a suitable settled worker.
At GB Immigration our expert team understand you want to start the next chapter in your life quickly and with minimal disruption and expense.
Applying for a Tier 2 (General) visa
You need to be have been provided with Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed sponsor before being able to work in the UK as a Tier 2 General migrant. It is imperative that you comply with all requirements as stipulated in the ‘Code of Practice’ in terms of job levels and salary levels.
You must have all the following to be eligible for a Tier 2 General visa:
- a valid certificate of sponsorship
- be paid at appropriate salary
- have required level of English
- meet the maintenance requirements
You are generally required to be paid at least £30,000 per annum or ‘the appropriate rate’ as per the ‘Code of Practice’, whichever is higher.
You can apply for a visa for up to 3 months before your employment start date (this date is mentioned on your certificate of sponsorship). If your visa is successful, then you generally are given leave for up to 3 years. You can extend your visa for another 3 years; however you cannot extend your leave under this category beyond a 6-year period.
You are generally only allowed to do the work you have been assigned to do in your certificate of sponsorship, however in certain circumstance you can do a second job if it is of the same or similar nature as your main job.