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Tier 2 (General)

Certificate of sponsorship

This page explains how many points you can score for sponsorship if you are applying to enter or remain in the UK as a skilled worker 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.

You can score 30 points for having a Tier 2 (General) certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor. When assigning your certificate, your sponsor will indicate whether they are assigning it because:

  • the job has an annual salary of £150,000 or more; or
  • the job is on the shortage occupation list; or
  • you are moving into Post-study work; or
  • your sponsor has completed a resident labour market test (or an exemption applies); or
  • if you are already here under Tier 2 (General) and you are applying extend your stay, you will working for the same sponsor in the same job.

You should ask your sponsor to tell you the basis on which they assigned the certificate.

If you are currently in the UK under Tier 2 (General) in a job that is on the shortage occupation list, but the job is no longer on the list, you can still apply for an extension or to switch into doing the same job for another employer. The job will automatically qualify as meeting the skill level for Tier 2. But if you are switching to a new employer, they must carry out a resident labour market test before they can sponsor you.

Application forms

Tier 2 policy guidance

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See also

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Terms explained

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

All glossary terms

Policy & Law