The past few years have seen considerable changes to the legislation and rules surrounding an application for a UK work permit (Tier 2).
2008 saw the introduction of the current five-tier points based system that changed the criteria for employment category work permit application.
Similar to the previous criteria work permit application, the new visa categories qualification is determined by a points system where score is awarded based on your qualifications (skills), age, previous earnings, UK experience and English language skills.
Under the current employment category (work permit) application, HSMP (Highly Skilled Migrant Programme Visa) has been replaced by the Tier 1 visa and The Tier 2 visa is in effect a sponsored work permit (requires a job offer by a eligible employer whom is to obtain sponsorship licence from the UKBA).
UK Visa and Work Permit Categories: What are the types?
The five-tier visa system includes the following categories:
- UK Tier 1 Visa (General) - is for highly skilled workers looking to settle in the UK in search of work or self-employment opportunities.
- UK Tier 2 Visa (Skilled Workers)– Replaces the old work permit and requires an offer of employment (i.e. Sponsored Work Permit)
- UK Tier 3 Visa (Low Skilled Migrants) – Replaces the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) and the Sectors Based Scheme (SBS)
- UK Tier 4 Visa (Students) – Replaces the UK Student Visa
UK Tier 5 Visa (Youth mobility/Temporary workers)– The YMS (Youth Mobility Scheme) allows certain foreign nationals between the ages of 18 and 30 to experience life in the UK for up to 2 years.
Read more the UK Work Permit system on the Visa Website
