What are the requirements for a Tier 2 work visa?

What are the requirements for a Tier 2 work visa?

The requirements for a UK Tier 2 work visa is as follows:

Passport

It must have one blank page, at least. Also, the passport can not be older than ten years.

Reference number

Reference number of the CoC provided by the British employer.

Proof of language proficiency

See the section below to get more details.

Proof to have enough funds

Bank statements could prove you have enough money to cover yourself. Remember that you won’t need it if your job pays you enough to cover your expenses.

Travel history

If the officials require your travel history, provide your previous passports.

TB test

A few countries need to take a TB test to enter the UK. If you are among them, provide a test result from a verified center.

Clean record certificate

You need proof of a clean record if you will be working with vulnerable people. For instance, you need it if working in:

• Education
• Healthcare
• Therapy

Photo

You need two identical photos of yourself. They need to be passport size, with a clear white background.

Healthcare surcharge

You need to pay for health insurance or NHS. It enables you to use the public medical services like British citizens. You need to pay for the service through the UK visa and immigration website.

Attention: The British officials might require you to submit further documents. Your case and their decision determine it.

Providing that your documents are not in English, have them translated by a verified translator.

Tier 2 work visa application process

The application process for a UK tier 2 work visa is as follows:

1. Eligibility principles

Every year, lots of applicants face rejection due to one simple reason: not being eligible. You want to be one of them? If not, do your homework and figure out who is eligible for a UK Tier 2 visa.

You can see the section above to know everything. Remember that you can work on your situation to reach the eligibility criteria.

2. Job offer

The basic requirement of a Tier 2 work visa is to have a job offer. You may not apply without a job offer from a British employer. You may find one on the internet or through employment agencies.

The offered job must lead to an employment contract. The job must also pay you enough to cover yourself.

Your potential employer must get a certificate of sponsorship. It holds a number that you need for your application.

3. Healthcare surcharge

You have to pay the healthcare surcharge before your application. You need to do it through the UK visa and immigration website. The fee depends on various elements, and you will pay it online.

If you want to learn how to immigrate to the UK as a pharmacist, read our article.

4. Application form

The application process for a UK tier 2 work visa is online. Before you enter the UK visa and immigration website, prepare some documents. You need to complete the online form with your documents. You will also need an Email address. Make sure everything is fine with it, and you have access to its password.

5. Requirements

The UK Tier 2 work visa needs some supporting documents. They are the requirements of the visa. You can see the part above to know them.

Keep in mind that the British officials might require further documents, and the list is not complete.

Gather all of the mentioned documents. You can begin this stage a bit early as it could take a bit longer to collect every part.

6. Visa Interview

When you complete the form, you need to choose a place to submit the requirements. It could be a British embassy, consulate, or a visa center in your country. Make a wise choice; you must be able to get to the place.

Schedule a meeting with the British embassy or visa center. Get there on the set date and bring all the requirements. When you meet the officials, submit everything to them..

Proving that it is your first time visiting the UK, the officials will take your biometrics. They take your digital photo and fingerprints.

The officials might ask about your background and visit to the UK. It would be good to prepare some information. Be ready to answer when the officials fire questions. Try to be honest and give true answers.

7. Processing

You need to wait until the officials process your visa. Different elements influence the processing time. For instance, if the embassy requires you to submit further documents, you have to wait for more. The timing is also different whether you are inside or outside of the UK.

When the visa is ready, the officials notify you.

8. Moving to the UK

When you move to the UK, you need to show some documents at the Port of Entry. The officials will check your passport and Tier 2 visa.

When you enter the country, you have to receive your residence permit. You need to do it within the first ten days of arrival.

You often need to visit a Post Office to get your residence Permit.

Tier 2 work visa cost

A UK Tier 2 work visa costs depend on your situation. For instance, applying from inside or outside of the UK and your nationality. The citizens of Turkey and North Macedonia need to pay less than other applicants. The fee ranges from

£610 to 1,408.

How long is the UK Tier 2 work visa valid for?

The UK Tier 2 work visa is valid for five years and 14 days. You may not stay longer than it. But, your visa’s validity is on the certificate of sponsorship. You can stay for one month longer than in the UK.

You can get into the UK two weeks before the date your official’s residence begins.

If you want to learn how to immigrate to the UK as a doctor, read our article.

Tier 2 work visa Extension

You have the authorization to extend the UK Tier 2 work visa. Yet, you can not extend it for longer than six years. If you need to stay longer, you have to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The ILR permits you to stay in the UK without any time limit.

Is there a language requirement over the UK Tier 2 work visa?

Yes. You need to provide an English proficiency certificate for a UK tier 2 work visa. You can prove it through.

• A verified English language test. The least score must be at least CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. In case you take an IELTS test, mention the UKVI in the certificate.
• Have an academic qualification that the course was in English.

Remember that if you are from one of the below countries, you don’t need to provide a language proficiency certificate:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• USA

Providing that you are from one of the above countries, you don’t need a proof of language proficiency for a Tier 2 work visa.

Does the UK Tier 2 work visa permit you to bring your family?

Yes, the UK Tier 2 work visa permits you to bring your family to the country. Family includes:

• Spouse or law-partner
• Minor children

You can add your family in your application and apply at the same time.

Let’s sum up…

If you have a job offer from a British employer, you can move to the country through a Tier 2 work visa. It permits you to stay up to five years. Then you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

This article explained who is eligible for a work visa, requirements, the application process, FAQs, and more.

Do you need to know about other types of UK visas? Go through the left sidebar.

As Gandhi once said, you see the best of yourself while losing yourself in the service of others. Let your experience with visas be in the service of others. Write them in the comment section below.