How do I sponsor a migrant?
How points are awarded to tier 2 - skilled workers
This page explains how points are awarded to migrants under the tier 2 - skilled worker category of the points-based system.
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 - skilled workers.
How points are awarded for initial applications
You should check that the migrant will score a total of 70 points across the different criteria before you assign a certificate of sponsorship. The 70 points must include 10 points for maintenance and 10 points for English language skills.
| Criteria for points | What we award points for | Points awarded |
|---|---|---|
|
Sponsorship (up to 50 points available) |
The job is on the shortage occupation list | 50 |
| The job meets the resident labour market test | 30 | |
| The migrant is switching from a post-study worker category | 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 |
|
English language skills (10 points available) |
The migrant is a national of a majority English-speaking country or The migrant has passed an English language test or The migrant has a degree that was taught in English |
10 |
How points are awarded for extension applications
You should check that the migrant will score a total of 70 points across the different criteria before you assign a certificate of sponsorship. The 70 points must include 10 points for maintenance and 10 points for English language skills.
| Criteria for points | What we award points for | Points awarded |
|---|---|---|
|
Sponsorship (up to 50 points available) |
The migrant was initially issued a certificate of sponsorship under the transitional arrangements | 50 |
| The migrant was awarded points when last given permission to stay because the job was in a shortage occupation | 50 | |
| The migrant has a certificate of sponsorship for any other reason | 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 |
|
English language skills (10 points available) |
The migrant is a national of a majority English-speaking country or The migrant has passed an English language test or The migrant has a degree that was taught in English |
10 |
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.
Terms explained
-
Qualification below degree level
A qualification below degree level is one or more passes at United Kingdom GCE A level; or a qualification from the United Kingdom that is the same as or above a GCE A level, but below degree level; or a qualification from outside the United Kingdom where you have the supporting evidence that is the same as or above a GCE A level, but below degree level.
-
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.
-
S/NVQ level 3
This refers to either the Scottish Vocational Qualification or the National Vocational Qualification at level 3. A qualification at this level is one that shows competence that involves the application of knowledge in a broad range of varied work activities performed in a wide variety of contexts, most of which are complex and non-routine. There is considerable responsibility and autonomy and control or guidance of others is often required.
-
Settled
You are normally resident in the United Kingdom with no immigration restriction on the length of your stay. To be free of immigration restriction you must have the right of abode or indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom.
-
Shortage occupations
Specific types of work that have been officially listed as ones for which there are not enough resident workers to fill available jobs. Employers who wish to hire a worker from outside the European Economic Area to fill a vacancy that is on a list of shortage occupations may do so without carrying out a resident labour market test.