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Tier 2 sponsorship is essential to the United Kingdom’s immigration system. It allows UK employers to hire skilled workers from outside the country to fill specific roles the local workforce cannot fill. Let’s break down Tier 2 sponsorship in simple terms.
What is Tier 2 Sponsorship?
Tier 2 sponsorship is a system that enables UK businesses to employ non-UK workers. To qualify for Tier 2 sponsorship, a company must register as a licensed sponsor with the Home Office. This licence shows that the company is eligible to hire foreign workers.
Why is Tier 2 Sponsorship Necessary?
Sometimes, companies need to hire people with specialised skills or qualifications not readily available within the UK. For instance, a hospital in a small town might need a specialist doctor who is not a UK citizen. In this case, the hospital can apply for a Tier 2 sponsorship licence to bring a doctor from another country.
The Role of the Certificate of Sponsorship (COS)
When a company gets granted Tier 2 sponsorship status, they receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS). This certificate is like a job offer for the foreign worker. It contains details about the job, such as the job title, salary, and start date. The worker will need this certificate to apply for a Tier 2 visa.
Example 1: Software Company in London
Imagine a software company in London needs a computer programmer with specific skills. They apply for a Tier 2 sponsorship license and, once approved, issue a COS to a skilled programmer from India. This programmer can now use the COS to apply for a Tier 2 UK work visa.
Example 2: Construction Company in Birmingham
Imagine a construction company in Birmingham needs a special kind of engineer for a project, but they need help finding someone locally with the right skills. They get a Tier 2 sponsorship license, allowing them to offer a job to an engineer from Spain with the needed expertise.
The Spanish engineer uses a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) job offer to apply for a Skilled worker visa. This visa lets them work in the UK legally for the duration of the project. The COS helps the construction company fill the vacancy, giving the engineer a chance to work in the UK. It’s a win-win situation!
Example 3: Indian Restaurant in Manchester
There’s an Indian restaurant in Manchester that specialises in authentic Indian cuisine. To maintain the quality of their dishes, they need a skilled chef from India or Bangladesh who knows the traditional recipes and flavours.
The restaurant applies for a Tier 2 sponsorship licence to make this happen. Once they get the licence, they offer a job to a talented chef from India or Bangladesh with experience in South Asian cooking techniques and flavours.
The Indian chef uses the job offer, known as a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS), to apply for a Tier 2 visa or Skilled Worker Visa. This visa allows them to legally work in the UK, preparing delicious Indian dishes for the restaurant’s customers. It’s a great way for the restaurant to offer authentic cuisine and for the chef to share their culinary skills in a new country.
Responsibilities of the Sponsor
Being a Tier 2 sponsor comes with specific responsibilities. These include making sure that the foreign worker follows the immigration rules and that they only do the job stated on the COS. Sponsors must also keep records and report any changes in the worker’s circumstances to the Home Office.
Example 1 :
If the software company’s sponsored programmer decides to leave the job, the company must report this change to the Home Office. They must also find a replacement within a specific timeframe or risk losing their sponsorship licence.
What are the Tier 2 Categories
The United Kingdom’s Tier 2 sponsorship system has several sponsorship categories, each designed for different types of skilled workers and purposes. The primary Tier 2 sponsorship categories include:
Tier 2 (General) Sponsorship
This category allows UK employers to sponsor skilled workers from outside the United Kingdom to fill specific job vacancies that the local workforce cannot fill.
Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Sponsorship
This category enables multinational companies with branches in the UK to transfer skilled employees from their overseas offices to work in the UK for a limited period.
Tier 2 (Sportsperson) Sponsorship
This category is for sports clubs and organisations that want to bring in elite sportspeople or coaches from abroad to participate in sports at the highest level.Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) Sponsorship
Religious organisations in the UK can use this category to sponsor ministers of religion, missionaries, or members of religious orders from outside the UK.Tier 2 (Intercompany Graduate Trainee) Sponsorship
This category allows companies to transfer recent graduate employees with specialised skills and knowledge to the UK for training purposes.Tier 2 (Health and Care Worker) Sponsorship
Introduced as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this category facilitates the recruitment of health and care workers from outside the UK to support the National Health Service (NHS) and social care sector.
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Tier 2 Sponsorship Solicitor
If you think you need the guidance and expertise of a Tier 2 sponsorship solicitor, we can help.
Lexadeen Solicitors, with offices in Bolton and Stoke-on-Trent, is a compelling choice for handling your sponsorship licence needs. What sets us apart is our extensive track record and expertise in immigration law, particularly when it comes to sponsor licence applications. Our client base, spanning across the UK, demonstrates our ability to effectively navigate the intricacies of sponsorship licences regardless of your location.
Lexadeen Solicitors’ commitment to providing personalised and knowledgeable service ensures we can tailor the support to your specific circumstances, making the sponsorship licence application process as smooth and efficient as possible. Whether you’re a business in Bolton, Stoke-on-Trent, or any other part of the UK, Lexadeen Solicitors can be your trusted partner in achieving your sponsorship goals. Call now on 01782 212903 for a free sponsorship licence consultation.