Tier 2 (General)
How to switch into the skilled worker category (Tier 2 General)
This page explains which immigration categories you can switch from into Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system, if you are already in the UK.
The categories you can switch from
You can switch into Tier 2 (General) from the following immigration categories:
- any Tier 1 category
- any Tier 2 category
- any Tier 4 category
- dependent partner of a Tier 4 migrant
- Tier 5 (Temporary worker - government authorised exchange), as an overseas qualified nurse or midwife (if you meet the full Tier 2 points requirement and have completed your registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council)
- Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
- innovator
- Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme;
- International Graduate Scheme (or its predecessor, the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme)
- qualifying work permit holder
- Jewish agency employee
- member of the operational ground staff of an overseas-owned airline
- minister of religion, missionary or member of a religious order
- overseas qualified nurse or midwife
- person writing up a thesis
- postgraduate doctor or dentist
- representative of an overseas business
- representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation
- student
- student nurse
- student re-sitting an examination
- student union sabbatical officer
If you are not in any of these categories, you must leave the UK and make a new application at your local entry clearance post.
Switching from a post-study category
You can claim 30 points if you are switching from:
- Tier 1 (Post-study work); or
- the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme; or
- the International Graduate Scheme (or its predecessor, the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme); and
You must have worked for your current sponsor for at least six months immediately before the date of your application. You must be applying to continue to work for your sponsor in the same job you are doing on the date of your application.
If you have not worked for your potential sponsor for at least six months before you apply, your sponsor will have to meet the resident labour market test unless the job is on the shortage occupation list. You will not be able to claim points for switching from a post-study category, but can claim points if your sponsor has met the resident labour market test.
See also
Terms explained
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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.