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WHAT IS TIER 2 (SKILLED WORKERS)?
WHAT IS TIER 2 (SKILLED WORKERS)?
Tier 2 (Skilled Workers) is aimed at enabling UK employers to recruit individuals from outside the EEA to fill particular roles that cannot be filled by a UK or EEA worker.
The prospective employer will need to be registered on the list of Sponsors in order to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship for each worker they wish to employ.
As with work permits the system will be employer driven and a candidate will not be able to apply for their entry clearance / leave to remain without a certificate of sponsorship for that job.
The main changes between the current work permit system and the new Tier 2 (Skilled Workers) system will be:
- English Language Requirement
- Maintenance Requirement
- Most jobs to be advertised for a minimum of 2 weeks
- Points system based on qualifications and prospective earnings
- Change of Employment applications always require job advertising
Tier 2 (Skilled Workers) will come into effect in Autumn of 2008. The requirements set out here are subject to change before then, with the exception of the guidelines on becoming a sponsor, because the sponsor licensing application process is open now.
HOW DO I SCORE POINTS?
Migrants will require 50 points from gained from a combination of their certificate of sponsorship, qualifications and prospective earnings, plus they will be awarded 10 points each for the maintenance and English language requirements, making a total of 70 points required.
In addition to the points system all jobs offered under Tier 2 (Skilled Workers) must be at NVQ Level 3 or above and the salary offered must be at or above the appropriate rate for the type of job offered.
Points will be scored in the following categories:
Certificate of Sponsorship:
The certificate of sponsorship from the employer will show that the candidate has a job that qualifies in one of the following categories:
- Offer of a job in a Shortage Occupation (list will be provided by Migration Advisory Committee) – 50 points
- Offer of a job that passes the Resident Labour Market Test – 30 points
- Intra Company Transfer (after working for company outside the UK for at least 6 months) – 30 points
Qualifications:
Candidates can claim points for their highest level of qualification only. Qualifications must be at the following levels or NARIC recognised equivalents:
- NVQ Level 3 – 5 points
- Bachelors or Masters – 10 points
- PhD – 15 points
Prospective Earnings:
This will be assessed by the information provided from the employer about the gross salary offered. These requirements are subject to change based on the UK economy.
- £17,000 - £19,999 – 5 points
- £20,000 - £21,999 – 10 points
- £22,000 - £23,999 – 15 points
- £24,000+ - 20 points
English Language Requirement: Mandatory
Candidates will be able to prove their competence in one of the following ways:
- Have passed a test in English at the appropriate level
- Come from a majority English speaking country
- Have taken a degree taught in English
A list of approved English tests to pass this requirement will be available at a later date.
Maintenance: Mandatory
This new requirement has been added to the application process to ensure that migrants coming to the UK are able to support themselves without recourse to public funds.
The requirement will be for the applicant to show at least £800 in their bank account, plus an additional 2/3 of that amount per dependant.
BECOMING A SPONSOR:
In order to offer Certificates of Sponsorship under Tier 2 and other categories employers MUST apply to get a licence as a Sponsor.
You can download our brief guide to becoming a sponsor here.
ETCi can assist with your application to become a sponsor for a small administrative fee relating to the size of the company.
Please contact workpermit@etci.co.uk for further details.
WHAT NEXT?
Candidates:
This Tier will not open for applications until Autumn 2008. Please refer back to this website regularly for further information.
Employers:
Please contact workpermit@etci.co.uk if you would like more information on how ETCi can assist with your sponsorship licence application and subsequent applications for Certificates of Sponsorship.
