Tier 2 (General)

Before you can apply under this category, you must have a sponsor in the UK. Your sponsor should be your employer, who must have a sponsor licence in place to be able to sponsor you under Tier 2 (General).

Your Sponsor will need to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship before you can apply under a Tier 2 (General).

If your Tier 2 (General) application is successful, you will be granted permission to stay for an initial period of up to 3 years, with the ability to extend your stay for a further 2 years if all extension requirements are met. You may be able to apply for settlement once five years has been completed under this category.

We can assist employers to become a Tier 2 Sponsor. To find out more, please check the Tier 2 Sponsor Licence section.

Tier 2 (Intra company transfer)

This category is for employees of multi-national companies who are being transferred to the company’s UK branch. Before you can apply under this category, the UK branch of the organisation must hold a Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer) Sponsor Licence. The UK branch must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship in order to enable employees to make an application under Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer) to come to work in the UK.

Please note that, unlike Tier 2 (General) Visa holders who would be eligible to apply for settlement in the UK after 5 years, the Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer) category does not lead to settlement.

Tier 2 (Sportsperson)

The Tier 2 (Sportsperson) category is designed to allow elite sportspersons and coaches who are internationally established to come to the UK. Before you can apply to come to the UK under this category, your application must be endorsed by your sport’s governing body and your Sponsor must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for you.

You may be eligible to apply for settlement after holding a Visa under this category for 5 years.

Tier 2 (Minister of religion)

This category is for people who have been offered employment or posts in the UK as missionaries, members of religious orders or ministers of religion and allows them to undertake preaching or pastoral work. Before you can apply under this category, your religious order or organisation must have a Sponsor Licence. You would need a Certificate a Sponsorship before you can apply to come to work in the UK.

You may be eligible to apply for settlement in the UK after having spent a continuous period of 5 years.