The second category in the United Kingdom Border Agency under the Points-Based System is Tier 2. This category is for those applicants who are non-EEA nationals and wish to come to United Kingdom to work. These individuals must work for companies who are sponsored by UKBA. Non-EEA countries are as follows: Anguila, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, British Virgin Islands, Falkland Islands, Georgia, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Jersey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Montserrat, New Zealand, Russia, St. Helena, Serbia and Montenegro, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

The British government sets a limit to the number of immigrants who apply under the Tier 2 category. From April 2, 2013 to April 6, 2014, there are only 20,700 Tier 2 immigrants that should be allowed to work in United Kingdom.

Tier 2 (General): is for those immigrants who are hired to work in United Kingdom to fill employee shortage within the market area of a business. This is specifically for those who will have an annual salary of more than 15,000 British pounds.

Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer): is for those skilled workers that were about to be transferred from a company branch outside of European Economic area to the same British company branch.

Tier 2 (Minister of Religion): is for those individuals who work as religious leaders. This includes preachers and pastoral workers.

Tier 2 (Sportsperson): is for those individuals who’ve exceptionally excelled in the field of sports internationally.

Key notes:

All Tiers, with the exception of Tier 1 requires sponsorship. Sponsorship is required of those who wish to enter United Kingdom or apply to leave to remain.

A “Certificate of Sponsorship” is to be issued by United Kingdom Borders Agency to applicants.

The “Certificate of Sponsorship” provides the required number of points for the “Attributes” listed in the Appendix A.

For the application of “Indefinite Leave to Remain”, except under the Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer), after April 6, 2011 all Tier 2 applicants can apply after completing the required 5 years’ lawful residence.

For those who wish to apply under the “Indefinite leave to remain”, they must pass the “Life in the UK Test” except those who are under 18 and over 65 years old.

Applicants should also be able to prove that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in United Kingdom.