Tier 2 (General) - skilled worker
The skilled worker category (Tier 2 General) is for people coming to the United Kingdom 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:
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a sponsor; and
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a valid certificate of sponsorship.
A sponsor is an employer who has been approved and licensed by the Home Office. A certificate of sponsorship will be assigned by the sponsor using the Home Office’s Sponsorship Management System.
When you apply you are awarded points based on your attributes (sponsorship, qualifications and future expected earnings), your English language skills, and available maintenance (funds).
You must have at least 50 points for your attributes to be able to apply.
Points are awarded for your attributes, which are:
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Sponsorship - 30-50 points
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Qualifications - 0-15 points
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Future expected earnings - 0-20 points
You must also score 10 points for English language skills and 10 points for maintenance (funds) or your application will be refused.
The points available for sponsorship are:
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Job on the shortage occupation list - 50 points
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Job that has met the resident labour market test - 30 points
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Switching from the post-study worker category - 30 points
The points available for qualifications are:
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None or under the level of a qualification below degree level - 0 points
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Qualification below degree level - 5 points
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Bachelor's or masters degree - 10 points
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PhD - 15 points
A qualification below degree level is basically a qualification equivalent to a United Kingdom GCE A level.
The points available for future expected earnings are:
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Less than £17,000 - 0 points
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£17,000 - £19,999 - 5 points
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£20,000 - £21,999 - 10 points
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£22,000 - £ 23,999 - 15 points
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More than £24,000 - 20 points
You must have 10 points for English language.
You must be able to speak English to a certain level, which includes being able to understand and use everyday expressions and very basic phrases. It is closest to level A1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference.
There are three ways that you can score points for English language. You can:
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be a national of a majority English speaking country; or
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pass an English language test on the Home Office list of approved English language tests; or
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hold a degree that was taught in English and is equivalent to a United Kingdom bachelor's degree or above.
You must scoe 10 points for mainternance (funds). These will be awarded if you have:
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£800 in available funds that you have had in your bank account for three months before the date you apply;
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your certificate of sponsorship from an A-rated sponsor confirms that you will not claim benefits while in the United Kingdom. Your sponsor should send a letter saying they will maintain and accommodate you until the end of the first month you are here.
There is a self-assessment points calculator on the Home Office website.
