Skilled Worker Visa Tier 2 (General)

The Home Office introduced the new Points Based System for the Highly Skilled Workers, which was implemented in the UK from 29 February 2008.

If you are currently in the UK, as an HSMP holder or on the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, this visa category has now been replaced by the PBS Tier 2 (General) Scheme for the Highly Skilled Workers.

The highly skilled worker category is designed to allow highly skilled people to come to the United Kingdom to look for work or self-employment opportunities.

You need a job offer to apply under the Tier 2 general highly skilled worker category. When you apply, you are awarded points based on your qualifications, previous earnings, United Kingdom experience, age, English language skills and available maintenance (money).

Eligibility

At the UK Visa Agency, we can start the application process for you under the highly skilled worker category now if you are one of the following:

If you are already in the United Kingdom with permission to stay (leave to remain) in an immigration category that allows you to switch into the highly skilled worker category;

For example: If you are in the UK under a Work Permit, International Graduate Scheme (IGS), Science & Engineering Graduate Scheme (SEGS), Fresh Talent Scheme (FTS) of Scotland, Innovator Visa or Student Visa we can make an application for you to switch to Tier 2 (General) Scheme for Highly Skilled Workers.

If you are already in the United Kingdom under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) and you want to extend your permission to stay (apply for leave to remain) and you are eligible to switch into the highly skilled worker category – we can make an extension application for you under the Tier 2 (General) Scheme for Highly Skilled Workers.

If you are already in the United Kingdom as a Tier 2 (general) highly skilled worker and you want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category – we can make an application for leave to remain in the UK under the Tier 2 (General) Scheme for Highly Skilled Workers.

If you are an existing HSMP holder to enable you to complete the five-year continuous stay in a highly skilled worker category required to make you eligible for Settlement, Indefinite Leave To Remain (ILR) or Permanent Resident status in the United Kingdom, we will apply for an extension under the new Tier 2 (General) Scheme for you.

If you are outside the United Kingdom and you are eligible to apply for permission to enter (entry clearance) under the highly skilled worker category – we can make an out of country application for you under the Tier 2 (General) Scheme for Highly Skilled Workers scheme.

Points based assessment

To qualify for a visa under the Tier 2 General Highly Skilled Worker, you must pass a points based assessment.
You and your family / dependents will be assessed under a variety of categories and would need to obtain a minimum of 75 points under the points based assessment, as well as fully satisfy the strict English Language and maintenance requirements.

If you do not score a minimum of 75 points for your attributes and 10 points for English language and 10 points for available maintenance (funds), your application will be refused.

Use The UK Visa Agency’s points based calculator to calculate how many points you have and whether you are eligible to work in the United Kingdom as a Tier 2 General – Highly Skilled Worker under the points-based system.

Start the application process
At the UK Visa Agency, our expert immigration consultants can assess your eligibility & suitability of your supporting documentation and represent you fully in your application to the Border Agency for leave to enter or remain in the UK as a Tier 2 general Highly Skilled Worker.

And speak with one of our immigration law specialists and START YOUR TIER 2 GENERAL HIGHLY SKILLED APPLICATION TODAY.