How to get Tier 2 work permit
Tier 2 (General) is for people coming to the UK with a skilled job offer to fill a gap in the workforce that cannot be filled by a settled worker.
Before you apply under the skilled worker category (Tier 2 General), you must have a:
asponsor;
avalid certificate of sponsorship.
When you apply you are awarded points based on you're:
aqualifications;
afuture expected earnings;
asponsorship;
aEnglish language skills; and
aavailable maintenance (funds).
You can apply under the skilled worker category (Tier 2 General) if you are:
aapplying for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the sponsored skilled worker category (Tier 2 General);
ain the United Kingdom with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in an immigration category that allows you to switch into the sponsored skilled workercategory (Tier 2 General);
aalready in the United Kingdom as a sponsored skilled worker (Tier 2 General) and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category.
How long can you stay for?
If you are applying from outside the UK and you are given permission to come here under Tier 2 (General), you will be able to live and work here for a maximum of threeyears plus one month, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus one month, whichever is shorter.
If you are already inside the UK in a different category, you may be able to apply to switch into the Tier 2 (General) category. If your application is approve, youwill be able to live and work here for a maximum of three years or the time given in your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.At the end of the three years, you can apply to extend your stay in Tier 2 (General). If your application is approved, your permission to stay will be extended byanother two years, or the time given in your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
If your previous permission to stay was as a work permit holder, you can apply under the transitional arrangements for permission to stay for a time that takes you tofive years in the UK in an eligible category. For example, if you have been here for two-and-a-half years with permission as a work permit holder or under thetransitional arrangements, you can apply for a further two-and-a-half years' permission to stay.
If this means you would get permission to stay for less than a further two years, you can apply for permission to stay for two years instead. For example, if you havebeen here for four years with permission as a work permit holder or under the transitional arrangements, you can apply for a further two years' permission to stay.
You may apply for settlement once you have been here in an eligible category for five years. If you do not, you must apply under the points-based system and make a newapplication.
You can contact us at www.visaadvice.net for any further assistance.
