Tier 2 General

Aschfords Law can help you to consider your job prospects if you are looking to come to the UK and should you wish, bring your family members with you. You may also be allowed to settle in the UK with your family, provided you meet the specified requirements.

You can apply for a Tier 2 (General) visa if you have been offered a skilled job in the UK and you are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

You need to be employed by a licensed sponsor to apply to live in the UK. Your sponsor will ensure that you can do the job they are hiring you for and if you qualify for a visa, a certificate of sponsorship will be issued to you. Your employer must also give you other information and supporting documents in order for you to apply for visa.

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date will be listed on your certificate of sponsorship. You can come to the UK with a Tier 2 (General) visa for a maximum of 5 years and 14 days, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 1 month, whichever is shorter.

You will be permitted to:

• - work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
• - do a second job in certain circumstances
• - do voluntary work
• - study as long as it does not interfere with the job you are sponsored for
• - travel abroad and return to the UK

There are specific requirements which must be met if you are seeking leave as a Tier 2 (General) migrant. You must:

• - have a valid certificate of sponsorship for your job
• - show you are being paid an appropriate salary for your job
• - prove your knowledge of English language
• - have £945.00 in your bank account for at least 90 consecutive days before you apply, unless, you have a fully approved (‘A-rated’) sponsor who can give you at least £945.00 to cover your costs for a month if you need it; this must be confirmed by your sponsor on the certificate of sponsorship
• - show you can travel and your travel history over the last 5 years
• - have done the tuberculosis test and provide evidence of this, if you are from a listed country
• - provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, if you will be working with vulnerable people

 

Professional fees:

Normally, instructions in respect of all UK immigration matters are undertaken on the basis of an agreed fixed fee having consideration of the complexity of the matter and the level of expertise involved. All disbursements are additional such as the Home Office / Visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge fee. If we are unable to agree a fixed fee, our standard hourly rate will be £300 plus VAT (if applicable).

Our agreed fixed fee usually includes meeting with one of our experienced solicitors to establish the details of your case, advice on your option(s) and merits in the matter, guidance in collating supporting and relevant documents; preparing and submitting the application/representations with the Home Office / British High Commission in your home country and advising you on the likely outcome(s) of your matter.

Time scale:

Upon receiving instructions, we will provide you with an initial list of documents. Thereafter, we shall provide a comprehensive list of documents tailored to your individual circumstances. If your matter is urgent it will be dealt with as a priority. As soon as we have received the requested information and supporting documents and we have reviewed your matter, we shall prepare and submit your application with the relevant Immigration department bearing in mind applicable deadlines. The timescale on when a decision will be received will depend on the type of application being made and backlog of the decision making body. We shall keep you informed of the progress of your matter throughout the entire application process.