Tier 2 (General)
Sponsorship
This page explains how many points you need to get for sponsorship to be able to apply under the skilled worker category (Tier 2 General) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.
On this page
Full details of all requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraphs 245ZB - 245ZH of part 6a which you can find on the right of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.
The points for sponsorship if you are applying for the first time
The points available for sponsorship if you are applying first time are:
| Attribute | Points available |
|---|---|
| Job on the shortage occupation list | 50 |
| Job that has met the resident labour market test | 30 |
| Switching from the post-study worker category | 30 |
If you are working for a sponsor who is a limited company, you must not own more than 10% of it shares.
Job on the shortage occupation list
If you are applying for a job on the shortage occupation list, you will score enough points that you will not need points for future expected earnings or qualifications.
You must work a contracted minimum of 30 hours a week in a job on the shortage occupation list.
Your sponsor will confirm the job is on the shortage occupation list on your certificate of sponsorship so you should check with your sponsor that they have.
Job that meets the resident labour market test
Your sponsor must have advertised the job and not found a suitable settled worker before giving you a certificate of sponsorship for you to be able to claim points for a job that meets the resident labour market test.
Your sponsor will confirm the job has met the resident labour market test, so you should check with your sponsor that they have.
The points for sponsorship if you are applying to extend your stay
The points available for sponsorship if you are applying to extend your stay are:
| Attribute | Points available |
|---|---|
| You got your initial certificate of sponsorship under the transitional arrangements | 50 |
| You got your initial certificate of sponsorship because the job was on the shortage occupation list | 50 |
| If you have a certificate of sponsorship for any other reason | 30 |
See transitional arrangements for information on what the arrangements are.
See also
Terms explained
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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.
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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.
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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.