Points Based UK Immigration System – Tier Two

Tier two of the new points based UK immigration system is known as Tier Two Skilled Workers. This tier is being brought in to replace the current UK work permit. Tier two allows migrants who have a job offer to come into the UK to fill in gaps within the labour force.

The tier two of the new UK immigration system is designed for medium and highly skilled workers who are hoping to immigrate to the UK. Unlike tier one of the new points based system, tier two requires applicants to have a confirmed offer of employment within a British company. It is also an employer led process, just as the work permit process was. This means that the company who is sponsoring you will apply for your work permit on your behalf; however in order for your application to be a success you will be assessed against a points test, which holds a 50-point minimum pass mark. All applicants who are applying under tier two will be required to meet this score in order to qualify.

The way in which these 50 points are scored is through areas such as your qualifications, which will gain you a maximum of 15 points, your previous earnings, which will gain you a maximum of 20 points, maintenance support of yourself and others, which will gain you a maximum of 10 points and finally your English language skills, which will give you a maximum of 10 points. It should however be noted that 50 points is what you need to gain if the position is on an occupational shortage list; if however your position isn’t on an occupational shortage list you only need 30 points to gain your sponsorship.

The new tier two will replace a number of existing immigration categories; if you would have applied under any of the following previously you will now have to apply under tier two:

• Work permit employment
• Ministers of religion
• Airport-based operational ground staff
• Overseas qualified nurse or midwife
• Sabbatical posts
• Seafarers
• Named researchers
• Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES)
• Jewish agency employees
• Overseas representatives (news media)

As it is the duty of your potential employer to sort out your work permit, it is the responsibility of your employer to ensure that you are eligible and suitable to fill the position that is being advertised and the company that your employer is a representative of may be subjected to immigration compliance checks to ensure that the workplace is suitable for a potential migrant worker.

Just like tier one of the new immigration system, tier two offers migrants the long term possibility of permanent residency in the UK. Although the actual tier two is not a permanent residency visa, candidates living and working in the UK for the minimum residency requirement of five years may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK (ILR). Another option is that candidates may choose to undergo British Naturalisation as a UK citizen.