As many applicants bemoan increased tightening by UK immigration authorities, 1st Contact says options are not as few and far between as many perceive. In light of the recent increased stringency in the changes to the Tier 1 Visa, the Tier 2 is becoming a preferable option for many highly skilled professionals. “The Tier 2 visa option is proving to be a popular choice”explains 1st Contact’s South African Visa Manager, Robyn Cory. “Tier 2 allows individuals to enter the UK and expand their career horizons through international exposure and a variety of opportunities.”
Eligibility is an option for applicants who meet various criteria, including possession of a UK degree-level qualification or UK Higher National Diploma relevant to the role on offer, sponsorship, future expected earnings, English language requirement, and maintenance funds.
“Tier 2 allows individuals to enter the UK and expand their career horizons”
In addition to applicants meeting a points criteria for eligibility, the visa is based largely on the offer of sponsorship from a qualified company in the UK. “Your employer must be able to demonstrate that the role cannot be filled by a suitably qualified or experienced resident worker,” notes Cory.
“The Tier 2 visa offers a validity period of one to three years, depending on the company. Furthermore it can open up the doors to permanent residency through the continuation of successive Tier 2 visa(s) to accumulate five years after which the visa holder is able to continue the path towards naturalisation through applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).”
1st Contact says the first step of making an application under the new Tier 2 scheme involves requesting that a potential employer becomes a Licensed Sponsor. Those interested in further information can direct their employers to http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/points/sponsoringmigrants/employingmigrants/ .
“Once your employer becomes a Licensed Sponsor, we step in to aid the process. For all those whose idea of getting a UK visa was based on Tier 1 applications, Tier 2 is great news; the opportunities in the UK, from work to naturalisation, are endless if you can meet the criteria to qualify under any of the broad terms on offer,” adds Cory.
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- Bachelor Degrees Back for Tier 1 Visa
- Tier 1 Visa Changes for Highly Skilled Workers
About 1st Contact Visas1st Contact Visas is an immigration consultancy incorporated in 1998 with the aim of becoming the premier visa service provider to people wishing to migrate around the world. 1st Contact Visas can assist with the full range of UK Visas, including the HSMP/Tier 1 Visa and working towards British Citizenship though Indefinite Leave to Remain. |
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How can we find out which employers are licenced for Tier 2 Visas and what occupations are on shortage lists?
Hi Dan,
Thank you for your comment.
Here are the links for both licensed employers and the current shortage occupation list:
Employers – http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/employersandsponsors/pointsbasedsystem/pbsregisterofsponsors
Occupations – http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/workingintheuk/shortageoccupationlist.pdf
Should you require assistance with such an application, please contact us on 0800 856 2474 or visas@1stcontact.com.
I trust this has assisted.