Skilled worker visa

The Tier 2 regime is for skilled non-EEA migrants seeking to enter the UK for the purpose of employment with a UKBA-licensed sponsor. The UK Government has committed to heavily reducing net immigration. During 2011 various changes were made to restrict migration from outside the EU. The number of visas that can be granted to Tier 2 (General) migrants is subject to an annual limit set by government. All Tier 2 migrants must be employed in “graduate level” jobs. The changes have been announced to take effect as of April and June 2012.

There are four subcategories for Tier 2 migrants. These are:

• Tier 2 (General) – for skilled workers coming to do jobs that cannot be filled from the resident labour market, to take up a job with a salary over £150,000 per annum and also for shortage occupations
• Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) – for skilled workers moving from a branch of a company located outside the European Economic Area (the EEA) to a UK branch of the same company
• Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) – for people to work as religious workers with recognised religions. This subcategory includes preachers and pastoral workers
• Tier 2 (Sportsperson) – for people and their coaches who are established at the highest level internationally in their sport.