How to Apply for a Tier 2 Visa Sponsorship: Everything You Need to Know

The United Kingdom remains a top destination for skilled professionals seeking career growth and new opportunities. However, to work legally in the UK as a foreign national, you typically need a work visa. One of the most common and sought-after routes is the Tier 2 visa, now known as the Skilled Worker visa. This visa allows qualified individuals to work for UK-based employers who hold a valid sponsor license issued by the UK Home Office.

Applying for a Tier 2 visa sponsorship can seem complex, but with the right information and preparation, you can successfully navigate the process. From securing a job offer to meeting eligibility requirements and submitting your application, this guide covers everything you need to know about applying for a Tier 2 visa sponsorship. Whether you’re a professional looking to start a new career in the UK or an employer hoping to bring in international talent, this article will walk you through the key steps, requirements, and best practices to ensure a smooth application process.

The Tier 2 visa, now officially known as the Skilled Worker visa, is a UK work visa that allows skilled professionals from outside the UK to work for an employer that has been approved by the UK Home Office. This visa category is designed to fill job vacancies in sectors that require specialized skills, such as healthcare, engineering, IT, finance, and education.

A Tier 2 visa sponsorship means that a UK employer has offered you a job and is willing to act as your sponsor. The employer must hold a sponsor license and issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is a key requirement for your visa application.

Key Features of the Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) Visa

Employer Sponsorship Required – You must have a job offer from a UK employer who is licensed to sponsor foreign workers.

Salary and Skill Level Requirements – The job must meet a minimum salary threshold (usually £26,200 per year or £10.75 per hour, with exceptions for shortage occupations).

English Language Requirement – You must prove your proficiency in English through an approved test (e.g., IELTS) or by holding a degree taught in English.

Visa Duration and Extensions – The visa is typically granted for up to 5 years, with the option to extend or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years.

Dependents Allowed – You can bring your spouse and children as dependents, provided you meet financial requirements.

To qualify for a Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) visa, you must meet several eligibility requirements set by the UK Home Office. These requirements ensure that applicants have the necessary skills, qualifications, and job offers from UK employers authorized to sponsor foreign workers. Below are the key criteria you must satisfy:

Eligibility Requirements for a Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) Visa

 Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor

• You must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that is registered as a licensed sponsor with the UK Home Office.
• The employer must issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is a unique reference number required for your visa application.
• The job must be listed as an eligible skilled occupation and meet the required salary threshold.

 Skill and Salary Requirements

• Your job must be at RQF Level 3 or above (equivalent to A-level qualification in the UK).

• The minimum salary requirement is generally:

  • £26,200 per year or £10.75 per hour for most jobs.
  • £20,960 per year or £10.40 per hour for jobs on the shortage occupation list.
  • For new entrants (graduates or workers under 26), the salary threshold may be lower.

• Jobs in healthcare and education may have different salary requirements depending on national pay scales.

English Language Proficiency

You must prove that you can speak, read, write, and understand English by:

• Passing an approved English test (e.g., IELTS for UKVI with a minimum score of B1 level).
• Holding a degree taught in English from a recognized institution.
• Being a citizen of an English-speaking country (as defined by the UK Home Office).

Financial Maintenance Requirement

• You must have at least £1,270 in personal savings to support yourself upon arrival in the UK.
• Your bank statement should show this amount for at least 28 consecutive days before applying.
• You are exempt from this requirement if your employer confirms they will cover your costs on your CoS.

Criminal Record and Health Requirements

• For certain jobs (e.g., healthcare, education, social work, and security), you must provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for more than 12 months in the past 10 years.
• You may need to take a tuberculosis (TB) test if you apply from a country where TB testing is required.

 Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

• You must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which grants you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
• The fee is £624 per year for each year your visa is valid.

Ability to Travel and Provide Supporting Documents

• You must provide a valid passport or travel document.
• Any academic or professional qualifications related to your job may be required.
• You may also need to provide additional documents based on your job and country of origin.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) Visa Sponsorship

Applying for a Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) visa involves multiple steps, from securing a job offer to submitting your visa application. Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you successfully apply for a Tier 2 visa sponsorship and move to the UK.

Find a UK Employer Who Can Sponsor You

Search for Jobs That Offer Sponsorship

To apply for a Tier 2 visa, you need a job offer from a UK employer who is licensed to sponsor foreign workers. Here’s how you can find one:

• UK Government List of Licensed Sponsors: Search for employers on the Home Office’s list of registered sponsors.
• Job Portals: Use platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Reed to find jobs with visa sponsorship.
• Company Websites: Check the career pages of large companies in industries like healthcare, IT, finance, and education.
• Recruitment Agencies: Some UK-based agencies specialize in placing international candidates in jobs that offer sponsorship.

Check Job Eligibility

Ensure the job you apply for meets these criteria:

• It is on the Skilled Worker eligible occupation list.
• It meets the minimum salary threshold (£26,200 per year or £10.75 per hour, or lower for shortage occupations).
• The employer is willing to sponsor you and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

 Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you receive a job offer, your employer will apply for and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is a unique reference number required for your visa application.

• The CoS is valid for 3 months, so you must apply for your visa before it expires.
• It contains your job title, salary, employer details, and sponsor license number.
• The employer must pay a sponsorship fee of £199 to issue the CoS.

Gather Required Documents

Prepare all necessary documents before starting your application. You will typically need:

A valid passport
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number
Proof of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS UKVI test or a degree taught in English)
Proof of sufficient funds (£1,270 in savings unless your employer covers this)
Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if required based on your country)
Criminal record certificate (if working in healthcare, education, or social work)
Academic or professional qualifications (if applicable)

Apply for the Visa Online

Once you have all your documents ready, follow these steps to submit your visa application:

Where to Apply?

• Apply online through the UK Government Visa Application website.
• Choose the Skilled Worker visa category.
• Fill in the required details, including your CoS reference number and personal information.

Pay the Required Fees

The visa application comes with certain costs:

• Visa Application Fee:
• Up to 3 years: £610 (£464 for shortage occupations)
• More than 3 years: £1,220 (£928 for shortage occupations)
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £624 per year
• Biometric Enrollment Fee: £19.20

Book and Attend a Biometrics Appointment

Once your application is submitted, you must:

• Schedule an appointment at a Visa Application Centre in your country.
• Provide fingerprints and a photograph for your biometric residence permit.
• Submit supporting documents (depending on your country’s requirements).

 Wait for a Decision

After your biometrics appointment, the UK Home Office will process your application. Processing times vary:

• Standard Processing: 3 to 8 weeks
• Priority Processing: 5 working days (extra cost of £500)
• Super Priority Processing: 24 hours (extra cost of £1,000)

If approved, you will receive a visa vignette (sticker) in your passport, which allows you to travel to the UK.

 Travel to the UK and Collect Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

• Upon arrival in the UK, collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days from the designated Post Office.

Your BRP is your official proof of residence and work authorization in the UK.

Visa Fees and Costs for a Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) Visa

Applying for a Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) visa involves several costs, including application fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and other associated expenses. Below is a detailed breakdown of the fees you may need to pay during the application process.

Visa Application Fees

The cost of your visa depends on the length of your stay and whether your job is on the shortage occupation list.

Standard Skilled Worker Visa Fees

As of February 2025, the UK Skilled Worker Visa fees are structured based on the duration of employment, the applicant’s location at the time of application, and whether the job is listed on the UK’s shortage occupation list. Below is a detailed breakdown of the standard application fees:

1. Applications Made from Outside the UK:

• For a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) valid for up to 3 years:

  • Standard Occupations: £719 per applicant.
  • Shortage Occupations: £551 per applicant.

• For a CoS valid for more than 3 years:

  • Standard Occupations: £1,420 per applicant.
  • Shortage Occupations: £1,084 per applicant.

2. Applications Made from Inside the UK:

• For a CoS valid for up to 3 years:

  • Standard Occupations: £827 per applicant.
  • Shortage Occupations: £551 per applicant.

• For a CoS valid for more than 3 years:

  • Standard Occupations: £1,636 per applicant.
  • Shortage Occupations: £1,084 per applicant.

Additional Costs:

• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): This mandatory fee grants access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). As of 2025, the IHS is £1,035 per year for adults and £776 per year for children and students.

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Issuance Fee: Employers are required to pay £239 to issue each CoS for a Skilled Worker Visa applicant.
• Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): This fee is levied on employers sponsoring a worker under the Skilled Worker route. The charge is £1,000 per year for medium and large businesses and £364 per year for small businesses and charities.

Please note that visa fees are subject to change, and it’s advisable to consult the official UK government website or authorized immigration advisors for the most current information before proceeding with an application.

Citizens of certain countries (such as India, Nigeria, and Ghana) may be eligible for a £55 discount on the application fee. Check the UK Home Office website for updated details.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory fee that grants access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).

• Cost: £624 per year
• Example: If you apply for a 5-year visa, you must pay £3,120 (£624 × 5).

This fee must be paid upfront during your application process.

Biometric Enrollment Fee

• Cost: £19.20
• This fee covers the cost of providing fingerprints and photographs at a Visa Application Centre.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fee

• Cost for Employer: £199
• This is paid by your sponsoring employer, not by you.

Priority and Super Priority Processing Fees

If you want a faster decision, you can pay for priority services:

Criminal Record Certificate (if required)

• Cost: Varies by country
• If your job is in healthcare, education, or security, you may need to provide a criminal record certificate from your home country.

Tuberculosis (TB) Test (if required)

• Cost: £65 – £110 (varies by country)
• You may need a TB test if you apply from a country where testing is required.

Conclusion

Applying for a Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) visa sponsorship can be a complex process, but it becomes much more manageable with the right preparation. The key steps include securing a job offer from a licensed sponsor, obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), meeting the eligibility requirements, and submitting a well-prepared visa application.

Understanding the fees and costs involved, including the visa application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and potential additional expenses, helps ensure that you are financially prepared for the journey. While the process may seem overwhelming, many UK employers offer visa sponsorship support to ease the burden.

This visa is not just a work permit—it is a pathway to building a long-term career in the UK, with opportunities to extend your stay and apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years. With a well-planned approach, you can successfully secure your visa, move to the UK, and start a new chapter in your professional life.