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Tier 2 (General)

Who should apply

This page explains who is able to apply under the skilled worker category (Tier 2 General) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

What category of person should apply?

You should apply if:

  • you are over 16 years old;
  • you are not a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland; and
  • you want to enter or stay in the United Kingdom to work under Tier 2 of the points-based system.

You are allowed to apply if you are:

  • already in the United Kingdom with permission to stay in an immigration category that allows you to switch into Tier 2;
  • already in the United Kingdom under Tier 2 and want to extend your permission to stay in your existing category; or
  • applying from outside the United Kingdom for permission to enter (known as 'entry clearance') in Tier 2.

If you are applying from outside the United Kingdom, go to our visa services website. There you can find out whether you need to provide any other application information in your country.

If you are a dependant of a main applicant, see Applications by dependants for information on how to apply and the dependant application form.

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Sponsored students

When we talk about sponsored students, we mean students whose fees and living costs are covered.

You may have been sponsored by a government or international scholarship agency in the last 12 months in any of the following categories:

  • student or Tier 4;
  • student nurse;
  • student re-sitting exams;
  • student writing up a thesis; or
  • postgraduate doctor or dentist.

If you are being sponsored now or your sponsorship ended in the 12 months before you apply, you must send us a letter from your sponsor, giving their permission for you to stay in or come back to the United Kingdom. If your sponsor does not give their permission, we will refuse your application.

The letter must be original, on official letterheaded paper of the sponsor's organisation with the official stamp of the organisation, and written by an authorised official.

If you were privately sponsored during your studies, we do not need the sponsor's permission.

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Who does not need to apply under the points-based system?

You do not have to apply under the points-based system if:

  • you are an EEA or Swiss national;
  • you are a British overseas territories citizen, unless you are from one of the sovereign base areas in Cyprus;
  • you are a Commonwealth citizen with permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom because at least one of your grandparents was born here;
  • your spouse or civil partner, your unmarried/same-sex partner or (if you are under 18) one of your parents has permission to stay in the United Kingdom under Tier 2 of the points-based system (although you should apply as a dependant); or
  • you have no conditions or time limit attached to your stay.

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How nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia should apply

If you are a national of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia, you will need to register under the Worker Registration Scheme if you want to work in the United Kingdom, unless you are exempt. See Worker Registration Scheme for details.

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How Bulgarian and Romanian nationals should apply

If you are a national of Bulgaria or Romania, you must not work until we have given you permission (unless you are exempt). See Bulgarian and Romanian nationals for details.

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See also

Terms explained

  • British overseas territories citizen

    You will be a British overseas territories citizen if you are connected with a British overseas territory because you or your parents were born, registered or naturalised in that British overseas territory. If you were born before 1 January 1983, you may gain the citizenship through your grandparents. (See British overseas territory.)

  • European Economic Area

    Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.

All glossary terms

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