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Tier 2 (General)

Employing migrants

This page explains how sponsors must employ migrants under Tier 2 General of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

Sponsors must employ migrants in jobs on the shortage occupation list or by meeting the resident labour market test for the job.

Jobs on the shortage occupation list

You can find the shortage occupation lists on the right of this page. This has been created after working with the Migration Advisory Committee.

If you are applying for permission to stay in a job on the shortage occupation list, you will score enough points without having to earn points for prospective earnings or qualifications.

Your contracted working hours must be at least 30 hours a week in a shortage occupation job.

You should check with your sponsor that they have said the job is on the shortage occupation list on your certificate of sponsorship.

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The resident labour market test

You can only come to work in the United Kingdom if there are no suitable settled British or European Economic Area workers to fill the job. The resident labour market test must be met by the sponsor before assigning a certificate of sponsorship. It includes how to advertise the job.

You should check with your sponsor that they have met the resident labour market test and have said so on your certificate of sponsorship.

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