General | Permits2work

Tier 2 General

Applications can only be made where the post is recognised to be a minimum of graduate-level or equivalent. Most applications will need to be supported by evidence of advertising unless the post is a recognised shortage occupation.

The UK Border Agency has implemented a limit on the number of Certificate of Sponsorship that are available to UK employers under Tier 2 General. This is known as restricted and unrestricted Certificates of Sponsorship. Only A-Rated sponsors can apply for a restricted CoS.

Applicants need to demonstrate that they meet the English language and maintenance requirements. Dependents can accompany the applicant to the UK (spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and/or children) if enough funds are available to support each family member. It is possible for A-rated sponsors to certify the maintenance requirement.

Please read more about the requirements of Tier 2 – General Visa application.

Restricted Certificate of Sponsorship

There are 20,700 places available to UK employers, which have been split into a monthly allocation. These will be decided and ranked against set criteria. Priority will be given to recognised shortage occupations and higher level jobs. Restricted CoS must be assigned to the applicant by the UK employer within 3 months of being allocated the CoS.

Unrestricted Certificate of Sponsorship

The following categories are not be affected by the immigration cap. However the sponsor must still have an allocation of CoS available and ensure that the post meets the specified codes of practice:

Intra Company Transfers

Tier 2 Applications for posts which have a salary of £150k or more

Tier 2 Extensions with the same employer

Tier 2 Changes of employment

Tier 2 General where the applicant is switching from within the UK

Tier 2 Sportspeople

Tier 2 Ministers of Religion

Tier 2 Applications made under the transitional arrangements

Shortage occupations

A list of shortage occupations is periodically updated by an independent body. This list is available on the UK Border Agency website.

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