You can apply for a Tier 2 (General) visa if:
- You have a job offer for a skilled position in the UK and have been issued a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- You’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
To be eligible for this visa, you need to have an offer of skilled employment from a licensed sponsoring employer within the UK. You will also need to prove your qualifications and experience, as related to the role on offer. Your employer must show that the role cannot be filled by a suitably qualified resident worker.
The UK Shortage Occupations List (SOL) details the professions that are in high demand in the UK. Employers looking to fill positions in these industries are not first required to advertise the position locally, making it easier for them to hire international applicants.
If you are a skilled worker in one of these professions, it will likely be easier for you to obtain a Tier 2 (General) visa on the points-based system.
Professions currently experiencing the greatest skills shortage in the UK include engineering, healthcare and arts and entertainment.
There are three main steps involved in lodging an application for a Tier 2 visa.
Step 1: Sponsorship licence
The first stage is undertaken by the employer. We can assist your employer with applying directly to UKVI for a sponsorship.
Step 2: Certificate of sponsorship
We can assist your employer with applying for a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) for the position they would like a non-resident worker to fill. Once a CoS is assigned, you may apply for your visa.
Step 3: Apply
We can assist the visa applicant to prepare and submit a visa application using their unique CoS number and proof that they meet the Tier 2 visa requirements.