Tier 2 visa acquirement - Basic Step-by-Step Process

Step 1 – Offer of Employment

In order for a Company to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) it must follow  a strict recruitment processes otherwise it could find that its Tier 2 license is downgrading by the UK Border Agency at an Immigration Audit.

Before issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship the Company will need to ensure that it has:

1-    Advertised the vacancy in a suitable publication across Europe (not just the UK),

2-    Advertised the vacancy with the Jobcentre Plus Waited a satisfactory period of time for responses from resident workers

3-    Conducted a Resident Labour Market Search (for non Shortage Occupations) &

4-    prepared accurate, up to date human resources files for the worker

Failure to follow correct recruitment process could result in the sponsor receiving a fine, having its license downgraded or even cancelled.

Step 2 – Tier 2 Application Prepared

As no appeal rights exist under Tier 2, applicants need to ensure that their visa application is prepared 100% correctly & succeeds first time around. Immigration Officers will reject an application on the smallest error;  therefore accuracy is essential.

It is important to keep oneself updated about the complicated and ever changing Tier 2 Immigration laws and processes.

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Step 3 – Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Issued

Once a sponsor has satisfied rigorous recruitment processes and has ensured that the worker can qualify for the visa, a Certificate of Sponsorship can be issued.

To issue a Certificate of Sponsorship the license holder must enter information about the employment using the UK Border Agency Sponsor Management System & pay the corresponding fee. Once fee is paid, a 10 digit Certificate of Sponsorship reference number will be produced immediately which the worker can then use when applying for the visa.

Step 4 – Tier 2 Submission Slot Booked

The UK Border Agency works with two overseas commercial partners; Worldbridge Services and VFS Global. These partners operate all Visa Application Centres (VACs) and run all front end services including; biometric collection, basic document checking, document transfer to and from the diplomatic post, appointment management etc.

In order to submit an application, an individual must first book an appointment with a Visa Application Centre at which biometric information is provided (full face photograph, digital fingerprint scans etc). To do this, an online application form must be completed.The online system will require the individual to book a slot, pay the submission fee and print out a biometric appointment notice.

Step 5 – Biometric Appointment Attended

The applicant and any dependents must attend the biometric appointment on the appropriate day prior to submitting the visa application. The only exception to this is in the case of children under the age of 5 years old who are exempt from providing biometric information.

After this process, applicant is provided with a biometric confirmation letter which must be included with the Tier 2 application.

Step 6 – Tier 2 Application Submitted

Following the collection of biometric information the applicant can proceed to submission of the visa application. The Visa Application Centre (VAC) attended for the biometric appointment will normally have a drop box submission point for final applications.

The Immigration Cap does not affect the process of applying for a Tier 2 Visa.

Step 7 – Tier 2 Application Approved

The time it takes for a Tier 2 visa to be approved depends upon:

1-The efficiency of the diplomatic post in question,

2- The volume of work the diplomatic post has in the season in which the application is submitted (August & December are normally slower processing months due to staff and public holidays).

Once processed, Worldbridge Services or VFS Global normally send out an SMS message to say that the application will be returned shortly. These messages do not include details of whether or not the application has been successful. Soon afterwards the application is returned to the applicant.

Step 8 – Flight to the UK / Work Begins

Following Tier 2 Visa approval the migrant can travel to the UK to begin work. However travel should be no more than 10 days prior to the start of employment date detailed on the Certificate of Sponsorship.