UK Tier 2 General

Tier 2 is the route which enables UK employers to employ nationals from outside the resident workforce to fill particular jobs which cannot be filled by settled workers. A skilled worker in any Tier 2 category must not displace a suitable settled worker

What you need to know

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.

Under Tier 2 General, you can remain in the UK for a maximum of 5 years and 14 days or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 1 month, whichever is shorter. Your stay must start no more than 14 days before the start date on your certificate of sponsorship. You can apply to extend this visa for up to another 5 years, as long as your total stay is not more than 6 years.

You must have all of the following to be eligible for a Tier 2 General visa:

• A certificate of sponsorship reference number
• An appropriate salary
• The required level of English

You can bring as your dependants, children under the age of 18 and your spouse/unmarried/civil partner. For further information, please see our section for Family Members.