How do I sponsor a migrant?
How points are awarded for tier 2 - intra-company transfers
This page explains how points are awarded to migrants under the tier 2 - intra-company transfers category of the points-based system.
On this page
For more information, you should read the full policy guidance (which you can find on the right of this page) and the page on specific requirements for Tier 2 - intra-company transfers.
How points are awarded to intra-company transferees
You should check that the migrant will score a total of 60 points across the different criteria before you assign a certificate of sponsorship. The 60 points must include 10 points for maintenance and 10 points for English language skills if the intra-company transferee wants to stay in the United Kingdom for more than three years.
| Criteria for points | What we award points for | Points awarded |
|---|---|---|
|
Sponsorship (up to 30 points available) |
The job is an intra-company transfer | 30 |
|
Qualifications (up to 15 points available) |
None or under the level of a qualification below degree level | 0 |
| Qualification below degree level | 5 | |
| Bachelor's or master's degree | 10 | |
| PhD | 15 | |
|
Future expected earnings (up to 20 points available) |
Less than £17,000 | 0 |
| £17,000 - £19,999 | 5 | |
| £20,000 - £21,999 | 10 | |
| £22,000 - £23,999 | 15 | |
| £24,000 or more | 20 | |
|
Maintenance (10 points available) |
£800 or The certificate of sponsorship is issued by an A-rated sponsor who will certify that it:
|
10 |
If the migrant is applying under the transitional arrangements
If the migrant is applying under the transitional arrangements, they do not have to meet the requirements above but:
- they must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor;
- the certificate must confirm the job is at N/SVQ level 3 or higher (except if they are applying as a senior care worker or an established entertainer); and
- they must be paid the correct salary for the job.
If you are confirming maintenance (funds) for initial applications
If you are an A-rated sponsor when you assign a certificate of sponsorship under tier 2, you can confirm (certify) that you will maintain and accommodate the migrant until the end of their first month of employment in the United Kingdom. If you do this, the migrant will not need to show that they have £800 available.
To do this, you must send the migrant a letter, signed by a senior official, on official letterheaded paper or stationery. The letter can be posted, faxed, or scanned and emailed, and it must include:
- the migrant's name;
- your organisation's name and logo;
- the migrant's certificate of sponsorship reference number; and
- confirmation that you will maintain and accommodate the migrant until the end of their first month of employment in the United Kingdom.
You can limit the amount that you will certify, but the limit must be at least £800. If you also certify maintenance and accommodation for any of the migrant's dependants, you can limit the amount of this, but the limit must be at least £533 per dependant.
The migrant will need this letter to send in with their tier 2 application.
You cannot confirm maintenance for either the migrant or their dependants if you are a B-rated sponsor when you assign the certificate of sponsorship.
It is your duty to tell the migrant that they cannot claim state benefits. If they do claim benefits and you know about it, we may take action which could mean that your licence is downgraded or withdrawn.