How do I sponsor a migrant?
Categories of skilled worker
This page explains the different categories of skilled worker in that you can apply to sponsor under tier 2 of the points-based system.
On this page
What is the tier 2 - skilled worker category?
The skilled worker category (Tier 2 General) is for people coming to the United Kingdom with a skilled job offer to fill a gap in the workforce that cannot be filled by a settled worker.
The job must be at S/NVQ level 3 or above, and the migrant must earn the appropriate salary or other package of remuneration appropriate for the job in the United Kingdom.
What is the tier 2 - intra-company transfer category?
The intra-company transfer category is for migrants who have been working for multinational companies and are being transferred by their overseas employer to a skilled post in a related United Kingdom entity. The migrant must have been working for the overseas employer for at least six months directly before the transfer.
If you want to register to employ intra-company transferees, all of the branches (or entities) given in your application must be linked by common ownership or control and you will have to provide evidence to prove this. Because of the specific nature of these transfers, you do not have to meet the resident labour market test.
The job must be at S/NVQ level 3 or above, and the migrant must earn the appropriate salary or other package of remuneration appropriate for the job, including any specific allowances we deem appropriate, in the United Kingdom.
What is the tier 2 - sports people category?
The tier 2 - sports people category is for elite sports people and coaches:
- who are internationally established at the highest level; and
- whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at the highest level in the United Kingdom; and
- who intend to base themselves in the United Kingdom.
Migrants under this category must be sponsored by a club (or equivalent) that is licensed by us to issue certificates of sponsorship under this category.
What is the tier 2 - ministers of religion category?
The minister of religion category is for people coming to the United Kingdom to work in a job as religious workers within a genuine (bona fide) religious organisation for up to three years.
The minister of religion category includes:
- preaching or performing pastoral duties;
- work as a missionary; or
- work in a religious order within a community which involves a permanent commitment like a monastery or convent.
Pastoral duties include:
- leading worship regularly and on special occasions;
- giving religious education to children and adults by preaching or teaching;
- officiating at marriages, funerals and other special services;
- offering counselling and welfare support to members of the congregation;
- recruiting, training and co-ordinating the work of any local volunteers and lay preachers.
Work as a missionary is not just preaching and teaching and can include:
- the organisation of missionary activity, but should not be administrative or clerical, unless filling a senior post;
- supervising staff;
- co-ordinating the organisation of missionary work;
- being in charge of a particular activity such as accounts/finance, personnel management or IT; or
- translating religious texts is missionary work not clerical work.
The work in a religious order must be in the order itself or outside work directed by the order.
Migrants should apply under the student category (tier 4 when it launches) if they are a member of a religious order and studying for a qualification, a formal full-time course of study or training in an academic institution not looked after by the order.
Working full-time as a teacher in a school run by a church or missionary organisation does not count as missionary work. Teachers must apply as a teacher under the sponsored skilled worker category (tier 2). See categories of skilled worker for more information.