1. Overview
You can apply for a Tier 2 (General) visa if:
- you’ve been offered a skilled job in the UK
- you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
Getting sponsored
You need to have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor before you can apply to come to the UK to work.
The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.
How long it will take
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you’re due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.
You can check the guide processing times to find out how long getting a visa might take in your country.
Fees
How much you pay for a Tier 2 (General) visa depends on your situation, where you are and how you apply.
Tier 2 General (up to 3 years)
| Who you’re applying for | Apply (outside the UK) | Extend or switch in the UK | Extend or switch in person in the UK (premium service) |
|---|---|---|---|
| You | £575 | £664 | £1,164 |
| If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia | £520 | £609 | £1,106 |
| All dependants | £575 each person | £664 each person | £1,164 each person |
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
Tier 2 General (up to 3 years) - shortage occupation
A shortage occupation is a skilled job where there is a shortage of workers in the UK.
| Who you’re applying for | Apply (outside the UK) | Extend or switch by post in the UK | Extend or switch in person in the UK (premium service) |
|---|---|---|---|
| You | £437 | £437 | £937 |
| If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia | £382 | £382 | £882 |
| All dependants | £437 each person | £437 each person | £937 each person |
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
Tier 2 General (more than 3 years)
| Who you’re applying for | Apply (outside the UK) | Extend or switch by post in the UK | Extend or switch in person in the UK (premium service) |
|---|---|---|---|
| You | £1,151 | £1,328 | £1,828 |
| If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia | £1,096 | £1,273 | £1,773 |
| All dependants | £1,151 each person | £1,328 each person | £1,828 each person |
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
Tier 2 General (more than 3 years) - shortage occupation
A shortage occupation is a skilled job where there is a shortage of workers in the UK.
| Who you’re applying for | Apply (outside the UK) | Extend or switch by post in the UK | Extend or switch in person in the UK (premium service) |
|---|---|---|---|
| You | £873 | £873 | £1,373 |
| If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia | £818 | £818 | £1,318 |
| All dependants | £873 each person | £873 each person | £1,373 each person |
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
How long you can stay
You can come to the UK with a Tier 2 (General) visa for a maximum of 5 years and 14 days, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 1 month, whichever is shorter.
Your stay must start no more than 14 days before the start date on yourcertificate of sponsorship.
You can apply to extend this visa for up to another 5 years, as long as your total stay is not more than 6 years.
What you can and can’t do
You can:
- work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
- do a second job in the same profession and at the same level as your main job for up to 20 hours per week
- do a job which has a shortage of workers in the UK for up to 20 hours per week
- do voluntary work
- study as long as it doesn’t interfere with the job you’re sponsored for
- travel abroad and return to the UK
- bring family members with you
You can’t:
- own more than 10% of your sponsor’s shares (unless you earn more than £155,300 a year)
- get public funds
- start working before you get the visa
- apply for a second job until you’ve started working for your sponsor
You’ll need to make a new application if you want to do a second jobthat’s not in the same sector as your main job.
2. Eligibility
You must:
- have a certificate of sponsorship reference number
- have an ‘appropriate’ salary
- have the required level of English
- follow additional rules if you’re switching to this visa from a Tier 4 (General) visa
- have proof of £945 in savings, unless you’re exempt
Certificate of sponsorship
A certificate of sponsorship is a reference number which holds information about the job and your personal details. It’s not an actual certificate or paper document.
Your sponsor will give you your certificate of sponsorship reference number.
They must also give you some other information to help you to apply, for example how much you’ll be paid.
You’ll need to add your certificate of sponsorship reference number to your application form - you can only use it once.
Your certificate of sponsorship is valid for 3 months from the date it’s assigned to you.
Appropriate salary
You’ll usually need to be paid at least £25,000 or the ‘appropriate rate’ for the job you’re offered - whichever is higher. Check the appropriate rate for the job you’ve been offered.
Check the guidance for situations when you can be paid less - for example if:
- your certificate of sponsorship was assigned to you before 24 November 2016
- you’ll work as a medical radiographer, nurse, paramedic or secondary school teacher in some subjects
- you’ll work as a pre-registration nurse or midwife
- you won’t get an annual salary
Savings
You must have £945 in your bank account for 90 days before you apply. This is to prove you can support yourself.
You won’t need savings if you have both a:
- fully approved (‘A-rated’) sponsor
- certificate of sponsorship stating that your sponsor will give you at least £945 to cover your costs for a month if you need it