Tier 2 Sponsorship
WORKING IN THE UK: APPLYING FOR UKVI TIER 2 - DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
This section explains the documents you should send with your application under UKVI Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system (Tier 2 PBS).
You do not need to send any evidence of sponsorship as this is confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship (‘COS’). You must give your certificate of sponsorship reference number when you apply.
What documents you must send - This subsection explains the documents you should send with your application under Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system.
If you do not give us all the documents we need when you apply and send your Tier 2 application form, we may refuse your application because you have not sent enough documents, and your fee will not be refunded. You do not need to send any evidence of sponsorship as your sponsorship under the Tier 2 system is confirmed in your certificate of UK sponsorship (COS), and you must give your reference number when you apply. You must send the original documents, not copies.
If a document is not in English or Welsh, you must send us the original with a full translation that can be independently verified by us. This translation must include details of the translator's credentials, and confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document. It must also be dated and include the original signature of the translator.
How we return your documents - If you are inside the UK, your documents will be returned to you by post to the address you gave on your application. If a representative is applying on your behalf, your documents will be returned to him or her. Your documents will be returned using recorded delivery. If you want your documents to be returned by special delivery, you should provide a prepaid special delivery envelope. You can also arrange for your documents to be collected by courier at your own cost. If you would like to arrange a courier, put a courier request in writing by fax. If you are outside the UK, your documents will be returned in the same way you sent them to us.
Photographs and passports - This subsection explains the photographs and passport you must send to support your application under Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system.
Your photographs - You must send two recent passport photographs of yourself and any dependants for whom you are including UK Tier 2 applications. All the photographs must have the name of the person in the picture written on the back. All the photographs should: measure 45mm x 35mm; and be in colour; and be taken against a grey or cream background; and be clear and of good quality; and not be framed or backed; and not be digitally altered, for example, you cannot use Photoshop to change anything in the image; and be full face, without sunglasses, hat or head covering unless you wear this for religious reasons. The photograph you send will be used on your visa (known as vignette) which is fixed in your passport. You must send your original passport or travel document and the original passport or travel document of all dependants.
Asking for the return of your passport before your application to remain in the UK is decided - If you need your passport for identification reasons, such as opening a bank account, before we decide your application, we will return your passport. You should send your passport back to us as soon as you have used it to confirm your identity. We will not be able to decide the outcome of your application until you have returned it to us. Obviously this may delay the decision of your application.
If you ask for your passport back so you can travel outside the common travel area, when we send it back to you, your application is automatically withdrawn, even if you decide not to travel. If you decide not to travel and still want to stay in the UK, you will need to apply again and pay a new fee.
English language - This subsection explains what proof of your English language skills you must send when applying under Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system.
[Note: Tighter English language test requirement for Tier 1 and 2 applicants in the UK - From 6 April 2012 we have removed the provision for applicants in the UK to apply for permission to stay here (known as leave to remain) before they have taken or received the results of an English language test. This policy applies to applicants applying under Tier 1 (General), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) and Tier 2 of the points-based system].
Full details of these requirements are in the Immigration Rules at paragraphs 245ZB - 245ZH of Part 6A. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category.
National of a majority English-speaking country - If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, you must send your current original passport or travel document.
If you are inside the UK, and are unable to send your current original passport or travel document at the time you apply, you must give full reasons under the passport information section of the application form. You cannot send alternative specified documents, unless your current passport or travel document has: been lost; been stolen; expired - returned to national authorities; or submitted to another part of the UK Border Agency.
The alternative specified documents you must send in the exceptional circumstances above are: your current national identity document; or an original letter from your home government or embassy.
This document must be original, on the headed paper of the government or embassy and must have the official stamp of that institution. It must have been issued by an authorised official of that institution and must confirm: your full name; your date of birth; and your nationality.
English language test - If you have passed an English language test, you must send your certificate. The original test result certificate must clearly show: your name; the qualification obtained; and the date of the award.
Degree taught in English - If you have been awarded a qualification that was taught in English, you must send the original certificate of award. This must be on the institution's official headed paper, and must clearly show: your name; the title of the award; the date of the award; and the name of the awarding institution.
We will not accept original provisional certificates.
If you have successfully completed a degree course taught in English but you are awaiting graduation, you must send the original academic transcript. This must be on the institution's official headed paper, and must clearly show: your name; the name of the academic institution; the course title; and confirmation of the award.
If you have lost your original certificate of award, and the institution that issued it cannot issue a replacement, we will accept the original academic reference. This must be on the institution's official headed paper, and must clearly show: your name; the title of the award; the date of the award, confirming that it has been awarded; and confirmation that the institution cannot re-issue the original certificate of award.
Additional requirements - If your degree was not taught in a majority English speaking country and is not listed on the UKVI points calculator, you must also provide: an original letter and/or certificate from UK NARIC confirming the equivalent level of your degree course; and a letter from the academic institution that awarded the qualification.
The letter from the academic institution must be original, issued by the awarding institution on its official headed paper, and clearly show: your name; the title of the award; the date of the award; and confirmation that the degree was taught in English.
Maintenance - This subsection explains what proof of maintenance you must send to support your application under Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system. The funds required for Tier 2 applications increased as from 14 June 2012. Full details of these requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraph 245ZB - 245ZH of part 6a. You must read the UKVI policy guidance before you apply under this category. If your A-rated sponsor is certifying that it will maintain and accommodate you if necessary for your first month of employment, this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship (COS).
Otherwise, and if you are not scoring points automatically for maintenance, you must provide documents showing that you have had at least £900 in your account at all times over the 90-day period before you apply to us. The documents must be original, on the official letter-headed paper or stationery of the organisation and have the official stamp of that organisation. They must have been issued by an authorised official of that organisation.
Evidence must be in the form of cash funds. Other accounts or financial instruments (such as shares, bonds and pension funds), regardless of notice, are not acceptable. If you wish to rely on a joint account as evidence of available funds, you must be named on the account along with one or more other named individuals.
Personal bank or building society statements covering the 90 days before you apply - The personal bank or building society statements should clearly show: your name; the account number; the date of the statement; the financial institution's name and logo; transactions covering the 90-day period; that there are enough funds present in the account. The most recent statement must be dated within 31 days.
If you want to send electronic bank statements from an online account, these must contain all of the details listed above. They must bear the official stamp of the bank on every page, or you must also provide a supporting letter from your bank, on company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements sent.
The balance must show that you have had at least £900 in your account at all times over the 90-day period, and we will not accept a document that shows the funds on 1 day only.
Building society passbook covering the previous 90 days before you apply - The building society passbook should clearly show: your name; the account number; the financial institution's name and logo; transactions covering the 90-day period; and that there has been enough money (£900) present in the account for the past 90 days. The balance must show that you have had at least £900 in your account at all times over the 90-day period, and we will not accept a document that shows the funds on 1 day only.
Letter from bank confirming funds and that they have been in your account for at least 90 days - The letter from a bank or building society should state: your name; the account number; the date of the letter; the financial institution's name and logo; the funds held in your account; and that enough funds (£900) have been in the bank for at least 90 days. The balance must show that you have had at least £800 in your account at all times over the 90-day period, and we will not accept a document that shows the funds on 1 day only.
Letter from financial institution regulated by either the Financial Services Authority or the home regulator confirming funds - The letter from the financial institution should state: your name; the account number; the date of the letter; the financial institution's name and logo; the funds held in your account; and that the funds (£900) have been in the bank for at least 90 days. The balance must show that you have had at least £900 in your account at all times over the 90-day period, and we will not accept a document that shows the funds on 1 day only.
The home regulator is the official regulatory body for the country in which the institution operates and the funds are located.
How we assess Tier 2 maintenance evidence for online bank accounts - Accounts held with internet-based banks: For the purpose of the points-based system, an online bank account is one that operates over the internet only and sends your bank statements to you electronically (for example, through the internet or by email). If you wish to use electronic bank statements from an online bank account as evidence, these statements must always be accompanied by a supporting letter from the bank, on its company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements.
Accounts held with other banks: If you have a bank account that does not operate exclusively online but you receive your bank statements electronically, and you wish to use these statements as evidence of funds for maintenance, you should provide: electronic bank statements printed at the bank on its official stationery; or electronic statements printed by you and bearing the bank's official stamp on every page; or a supporting letter from the bank, on the bank's company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements. All evidence must meet the requirements listed in the Tier 2 guidance. Mini-statements from cash points are not acceptable as evidence.