Under the UK Skilled Worker visa, the United Kingdom (UK) allows international workers to come to the UK with their efficient skills. Until 2020, individuals knew it as a Tier 2 visa. If you want to qualify for the UK Skilled Worker visa, you must have skills at RFQ 3 level (this is equivalent to A-Level in the UK) or higher eligible occupation. Further, UK Tier 2 visa fees have risen by 15%, reaching £719 in the year 2024. Previously Tier 2 visa fees were £625.

Before you plan to work in the UK, you must know that having two jobs simultaneously restricts your working hours for both workplaces. You can work a maximum of 20 hours a week on your supplementary jobs. Working more than 20 hours on Tier 2 Visa is allowed for people in the health and care department, as Tier 2 Visa restrictions lifted for people holding a Health and Care visa in the UK. 

In the beginning, the UK grants Tier 2 visa for five years. Your UK Skilled Worker visa duration depends on the duration of your Certificate of Sponsorship. You must know that tier 2 visa sponsorship is valid until you work with the same employer in the same role. If you change the role or the employer, you must apply for a new Skilled Worker Visa. If you wish to extend the Tier 2 visa, after living and working for five years in the UK, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship after one year. 

Having a Tier 2 Visa UK means you are eligible to apply as a skilled worker in the UK. However, if you want to apply for a Skilled Visa Worker, you must secure a job and meet the requirements and eligibility of a Tier 2 visa. 

UK Tier 2 Eligibility and Requirements

If you fulfill the following eligibility criteria and requirements for a UK Tier 2 visa, then you can work in the UK:

• Must have a valid job offer from the UK employer
• Your employer must have approval from the Home Office to sponsor employees.
• A ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ should be issued. 
• You must qualify for the occupations listed by the Home Office.
• Your skill level should be at least RQF level 3
• In the UK, the minimum salary requirement is £38,700 per year or your job rate, whichever is higher.
• You should meet the English language requirements
• A bank account must show sufficient funds to support your living in the UK

Once you have fulfilled the eligibility criteria as a UK Skilled Worker, you must look for the UK Tier 2 visa requirements it has. Legal Assist can help you with guidance on skilled worker visa as per the UK labour laws decided by the UK Government.

UK Tier 2 Visa Requirements

There are some documents that you would require for your tier 2 visa application to make a strong case for a UK Skilled Worker Visa:

• A passport with a blank page
• Certificate of Sponsorship Reference Number
• Your job title and annual salary
• Your job occupation code
• Proof of sufficient funds to support your living in the UK 
• Your relationship with the partner/spouse and children in the UK 
• A criminal record certificate to justify your job in healthcare and education
• Proof of English language proficiency
• TB test results (depends if you come from a country that has TB in its population)
• Your proof of PhD done from the UK or Ecctis if it is done in another country
• You will be guided about biometrics and fingerprints to ensure your identity at the visa centre. 

What is my notice period for shifting to another job in the UK?

If you are planning to move to the next employer, you must know that you will have to apply for a new Skilled Worker Visa. However, your tier 2 visa change employer notice period could be at least one month, or it is usually mentioned in your employment contract. Moreover, you are abided by the rules of a Tier 2 General visa. Therefore, you must wait for the Biometric Residence Permit before working in a new workplace. Your second time, the Tier 2 visa application process would be the same as in the first place.  

Tier 2 Visa Extension When to Apply?

The new UK immigration and job rules allow a Tier 2 visa extension under the Skilled Worker category. The applicant must meet the eligibility criteria for this route, including a job offer from a UK Tier 2 visa sponsorship company with an adequate annual salary. You can find UK Tier 2 sponsorship companies here. 

The Tier 2 dependent visa extension is granted for three years. However, you must meet the same eligibility requirements for a dependent visa that you have obtained. The requirements vary depending on the relationship with the main applicant. 

How Much Does It Cost to Employer to Sponsor an Overseas Worker?

UK companies willing to sponsor Tier 2 Visa will have to bear some cost to employ overseas workers. The cost of sponsoring a skilled visa involves the license application fee that varies in size and type of business. However, there is a separate tier 2 visa sponsorship cost to employer when they invite an international skilled worker. This cost involves the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee, immigration skills charge, and immigration healthcare surcharge. Having a medium-sized business, the employer will have the following mandatory costs:

• Certificate of Sponsorship – £199
• Sponsor license – £1,476
• Immigration Skills Charge – £1000 each year (£5,000 for five years)

The employer also pays any other costs involved with the sponsorship. Hiring an employee from a few countries will incur no charges. Those countries are Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, or Turkey.

If you are looking for a job in the UK, look at the Tier 2 visa sponsor list and apply to those UK companies. 

Can I bring dependents on a Tier 2 Visa?

People who want to bring their families to the UK on their UK Skilled Worker Visa can apply for a Skilled Worker Dependent visa in the UK. Your parents, spouse, partners, and children are your dependents. The dependent visa UK tier 2 has separate requirements and eligibility criteria.

UK Tier 2 Dependent Visa Requirements

The applicants have to prepare the documents that are associated with the Tier 2 dependent Visa:

• Evidence of eligible relationship with the main visa holder
• Plan to live with the main visa holder
• Proof of sufficient living standard in the UK
• Show sufficient bank balance to support their stay in the UK 
• Acquire a clean criminal record, a good character certificate, and a better travel history
• Attach supporting documents
• Pay the visa fees

Financial Criteria for a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa

The financial requirement has to be fulfilled for a Tier 2 dependent visa as per the relationship with the main applicant:

• for a partner – £285
• for one child – £315
• for each additional child – £200

The Skilled Worker Dependent visa fee varies from £719 to £1,639. 

How Can Legal Assist Help You?

We can help you in getting a Tier 2 visa, even if you have studied on a Tier 4 visa, which means you have previously obtained a student visa UK. Call us today and learn more about getting a Tier 2 visa to make your future in the UK.

FAQs

What is Tier 2 Visa?

A Tier 2 Visa allows people from overseas to apply for work in the UK.

Which care agencies sponsor tier 2 visas in the UK?

The UK government’s website contains a list of care agencies that sponsor Tier 2 visas in the UK. These agencies mostly belong to the human health activities industry.

How to apply for Tier 2 Visa?

You will need a valid job offer from one of the UK companies licensed to sponsor your worker visa in the UK. 

How to get a Tier 2 visa in the UK?

You can get a Tier 2 visa UK if only you have an employment offer from any UK company. 

How long can I stay outside the UK with a Tier 2 visa?

The 180-day rule applies if you want to travel outside the UK on a Tier 2 visa within your first five years of stay in the UK.