Work Permit
To come to the UK as a sponsored migrant, applicants must make a successful Entry Clearance or Leave to Remain application. The applicant must have a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship ("COS") issued by a UKBA licenced sponsor. All migrants applying for leave to enter the UK from overseas must be coming to fill a graduate level position. Prospective Tier 2 migrants will not necessarily have to hold an academic qualification.
There is an annual limit on the total number of COS available to sponsors under Tier 2 (General). Between 6 April 2011 and 5 April 2012 the UK sponsors will have access to 20,700 Certificates of Sponsorship. However, the limit ONLY applies to COS for prospective employees earning less than £150,000 per year and coming to the UK from overseas to full fill ‘restricted’ jobs. Each month the UKBA will allocate 1500 of ‘restricted’ certificates.
‘Unrestricted’ COS will be widely available to the UK sponsors who can then assign them to the migrants who fall into one of the categories below:
- receive an annual salary of £150,000 or more;
- have worked for sponsor under Tier 2 (General) or as a Work Permit holder granted on or before 5 April 2011 and require to extend their visa;
- change employment;
- switch immigration category.
The initial leave to enter/remain under the Tier 2 General can be granted for up to 3 years with a possibility of further extension for additional 2 years. Leave to enter/remain in this category may lead to settlement upon completion of five years in the UK.
Contact us to ensure that this is the correct visa for you. We can discuss your details and offer advice or prepare the application on your behalf.
