The UK Tier 2 Visa is a points-based visa for skilled workers who want to work in the UK. To be eligible for a Tier 2 Visa, you must have a job offer from a UK employer who is licensed to sponsor skilled workers from overseas.

There are two types of Tier 2 Visas:

  • General Tier 2 Visa: This visa is for skilled workers in a wide range of occupations.
  • Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Tier 2 Visa: This visa is for employees of multinational companies who are being transferred to the UK office of their company.

To qualify for a Tier 2 Visa, you must score at least 70 points under the points-based system. Points are awarded for your job offer, your skills and qualifications, your English language ability, and your salary.

You can also get additional points for having a spouse or partner who is already living in the UK, or for having a child under the age of 18.

If you are successful in applying for a Tier 2 Visa, you will be granted permission to live and work in the UK for up to five years. You can then apply to extend your visa for a further five years.

Here are the steps involved in applying for a UK Tier 2 Visa:

  1. Find a job offer from a UK employer who is licensed to sponsor skilled workers from overseas.
  2. Apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer.
  3. Complete a Tier 2 Visa application form and pay the visa fee.
  4. Submit your application to the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) office.
  5. Attend a visa interview (if required).

If your application is successful, you will be issued a Tier 2 Visa. You must travel to the UK within six months of the visa being issued.

Here are some tips for increasing your chances of success when applying for a UK Tier 2 Visa:

  • Make sure that you meet all of the eligibility requirements.
  • Submit a complete and accurate application form.
  • Pay the visa fee on time.
  • Attend your visa interview (if required) and be prepared to answer questions about your job offer, your skills and qualifications, and your English language ability.

To be eligible for a UK Tier 2 Visa, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must have a job offer from a UK employer who is licensed to sponsor skilled workers from overseas.
  • You must score at least 70 points under the points-based system. Points are awarded for your job offer, your skills and qualifications, your English language ability, and your salary.
  • You must meet the maintenance requirement, which means that you must have enough money to support yourself and any dependents without needing to work.
  • You must meet the English language requirement. You can meet the English language requirement by passing one of the following tests:
    • IELTS Academic: score 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any band
    • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: score 59 overall, with no less than 56 in any skill
    • TOEFL iBT: score 90 overall, with no less than 20 in any section
    • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): score 176 overall, with no less than 169 in any skill
    • Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): score 180 overall, with no less than 176 in any skill
  • You must not have a criminal record.
  • You must not be a threat to national security.

If you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can apply for a UK Tier 2 Visa online. You will need to provide the following documents:

  • Your passport
  • Your job offer
  • Your Certificate of Sponsorship
  • Proof of your English language ability
  • Proof of your maintenance funds
  • A completed Tier 2 Visa application form
  • The visa fee

Once you have submitted your application, you will be contacted by the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) office to schedule a visa interview. If your interview is successful, you will be issued a Tier 2 Visa.

The following are some types of roles that are eligible for sponsorship for a UK Tier 2 Visa:

  • Engineers: Software engineers, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and other engineering roles are in high demand in the UK and are often eligible for sponsorship.
  • Scientists: Scientists in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics are also in high demand and are often eligible for sponsorship.
  • IT professionals: IT professionals such as software developers, web developers, system administrators, and network engineers are also in high demand and are often eligible for sponsorship.
  • Financial services professionals: Financial services professionals such as accountants, bankers, and investment analysts are also in high demand and are often eligible for sponsorship.
  • Healthcare professionals: Healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists are also in high demand and are often eligible for sponsorship.
  • Teachers: Teachers in all disciplines, from primary to secondary to higher education, are also in high demand and are often eligible for sponsorship.
  • Researchers: Researchers in all disciplines, from science to the humanities, are also in high demand and are often eligible for sponsorship.
  • Creative professionals: Creative professionals such as artists, architects, and designers are also in high demand and are often eligible for sponsorship.
  • Managers and directors: Managers and directors in all industries are also in high demand and are often eligible for sponsorship.

This is just a sample of the types of roles that are eligible for sponsorship for a UK Tier 2 Visa. If you are unsure whether your role is eligible, you can contact the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) office for more information.

If you are considering applying for a UK Tier 2 Visa, it is important to do your research and choose an employer who is licensed to sponsor skilled workers from overseas. You can find a list of licensed sponsors on the UKVI website.

Here is a list of the top 50 employers sponsoring Tier 2 Visas in the UK, in no particular order:

  • Amazon
  • Apple
  • Accenture
  • Deloitte
  • EY
  • KPMG
  • PwC
  • IBM
  • Microsoft
  • Google
  • JP Morgan
  • Credit Suisse
  • UBS
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Deutsche Bank
  • Barclays
  • HSBC
  • RBS
  • Lloyds Banking Group
  • Santander
  • Aviva
  • Prudential
  • Legal & General
  • Nationwide
  • Willis Towers Watson
  • Aon
  • Marsh
  • Mercer
  • WTW
  • Gallagher
  • Allianz
  • AXA
  • Aviva
  • Generali
  • Munich Re
  • Swiss Re
  • Zurich Insurance Group
  • AstraZeneca
  • GSK
  • Pfizer
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Novartis
  • Roche
  • Sanofi
  • Bayer
  • Merck
  • AbbVie
  • Eli Lilly
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • Unilever
  • Nestlé
  • P&G
  • Procter & Gamble
  • Coca-Cola
  • PepsiCo
  • Mondelez
  • Mars
  • Kellogg’s
  • General Mills
  • Diageo
  • AB InBev
  • Heineken
  • Carlsberg
  • Pernod Ricard
  • Bacardi

This list is based on data from the UK Home Office. It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive and there are many other employers who sponsor Tier 2 Visas.

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