Tier 2 (General)
Appropriate salary and allowances
This page explains how many points you can score for appropriate salary and allowances if you are applying to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system.
You must read the Tier 2 policy guidance before you apply. You can download the guidance from the right side of this page. The guidance is based on Part 6A of the Immigration Rules.
The points available for appropriate salary and allowances are:
| Annual salary and allowances before tax (gross) | Points available |
|---|---|
| £20,300 or more | 20 |
|
Under £20,300, and you have or last had permission to stay in the UK as:
|
20 |
| Under £20,300, and you are not in one of the categories listed above | 0 |
If you will be working in the UK for less than 12 months, you can score points for your pro rata yearly earnings. For example, if you will earn £15,000 on a 6-month contract, you can score points for the equivalent earnings of £30,000 per year.
You cannot claim pro rata earnings if you will be working part-time. Part-time workers can only score points for their actual earnings.
We will award points for a maximum of 48 hours' work per week, even if you work more than this. For example, if you will earn £8 per hour, working 60 hours per week, your equivalent earnings for a 48-hour week would be £19,968 (8x48x52). Therefore, you will be awarded no points for appropriate salary, even though your actual annual salary will be £24,960 (8x60x52).
You should add acceptable allowances to your gross salary to work out the points you can score. If you are working more than 48 hours a week, you should calculate your equivalent earnings for a 48-hour week before adding any allowances.
Your sponsor will confirm your salary details on your certificate of sponsorship. You do not need to send any other evidence of your salary. Your salary may be paid in the UK or abroad. If you will be paid abroad in a currency other than pounds sterling, the salary amount entered on your certificate of sponsorship will be based on the exchange rate published on the OANDA website on the day when the certificate is assigned.
The certificate of sponsorship must also confirm that you will be paid at or above the appropriate rate for the job, as set set out in our codes of practice.
Application forms
Tier 2 policy guidance
- Tier 2 policy guidance PDF 699KB opens in a new window
See also
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Terms explained
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Certificate of sponsorship
A 'virtual document' assigned by a licensed sponsor to a migrant who wishes to work for them in the UK. The migrant must quote the certificate of sponsorship reference number when applying for permission to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 2 or Tier 5 of the points-based system or, where the migrant is a Croatian national, when applying for worker authorisation.