How do I sponsor a migrant?
How points are awarded to tier 2 - ministers of religion
This page explains how points are awarded to migrants under the tier 2 - ministers of religion 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 - ministers of religion.
How points are awarded to ministers of religion
You should check that the migrant will score a total of 70 points across the different criteria before you assign a certificate of sponsorship.
|
Criteria for points |
What we award points for |
Points awarded |
|---|---|---|
|
Sponsorship (50 points available) |
The migrant:
|
50 |
|
Maintenance (10 points available) |
£800 or The certificate of sponsorship is issued by an A-rated sponsor who will certify that it:
or The migrant is applying under the transitional arrangements |
10 |
|
English language skills (10 points available) |
The migrant can show that they can speak English equivalent to the Council of Europe level B2 or The migrant is applying under the transitional arrangements |
10 |
If you are confirming maintenance (funds)
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.
Terms explained
-
Certificate of sponsorship
This is a virtual document (a unique reference number) that an organisation gives to migrants they want to employ, and that the migrant uses when applying.under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. Also known as confirmation of acceptance for studies.
-
Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
A series of descriptions of abilities, accepted worldwide, that sets clear targets for achievement in learning a language.
-
Resident labour market test
This is the process an employer must follow before employing a person who is not a permanent resident of the United Kingdom if he/she is first required to show that no resident worker could be found to take a job.
-
Resident worker
A person who is a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or is legally settled in the United Kingdom with permission to work here. In some cases, an employer who wishes to employ a person who is not a permanent resident must show that no resident worker could be found to take the job.