Benefits Of Having A Sponsor In The UK

If you're in the UK already working on a Tier 2 General Visa then it is likely that you already understand the benefits of having a sponsor. But for those who are not here yet and are looking at ways available to them to come to the UK to live and work, one of the main options will be a Tier 2 General Visa. One of the main parts of getting a Tier 2 General Visa will be acquiring a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence holder. Visa sponsors are used to ensure that there is actually a job available for you in the UK and that you meet the minimum requirements for entering and remaining in the country. In this article we're going to look at the benefits of being sponsored in the UK.

Must I have a sponsor to live and work in UK?

Whether or not you will need a sponsor will depend on which visa route you're going to use to live and work in the UK. The majority of people who travel to the UK to live and work will end up on a Tier 2 General Visa. The Tier 2 General Visa is designed for those in less specialized Industries to be able to come to the UK to live and work. These staff are often used to fill a gap that cannot be filled by a domestic worker. In this instance you will require a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence holder who will provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that you can use as part of your visa application.

If you're going to be working for yourself on one of the Tier 1 visa routes (Tier 1 Entrepreneur and Tier 1 Investor) then you will not need a sponsor. In many cases these Tier 1 visa routes are subject to very stringent financial criteria and are a lot more difficult to get than the Tier 2 General Visa. Also if you are switching from a Tier 4 Student Visa to one of the Tier 1 routes you will not need a sponsor. But in the large proportion of cases you will require a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence as the Tier 2 General Visa is by far the UK's most well used work visa route.

Will I need a sponsor if I'm going to switch to a Tier 2 General Visa from another Visa route?

Yes, the Tier 2 Sponsor Licence holder requirement is the same for any Tier 2 General Visa application, no matter how you get the visa itself. The reason for this is that Tier 2 Sponsor Licence holders are required to ensure that your records are kept up to date. The system is highly regulated and ensures high levels of compliance due to the harsh punishments that can be handed out for non-compliance.

Switching to a Tier 2 General Visa is much the same as applying for Tier 2 General Visa in the first place and that is why you need to get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence.

Can my Tier 2 General Visa be nullified?

Yes it's not impossible for a Tier 2 General visa to be nullified but it is rather rare. The most common reason for you not to be allowed to stay in the country with a Tier 2 General Visa is if your visa is nullified due to you leaving a job. Your Tier 2 General Visa is tied to your employer and as such if you leave your employment they are duty bound to tell the Home Office within 10 days. Once this 10-day period is up, the Home Office will then make a decision on your visa. In most cases they will curtail your visa and you will have 60 days to leave the country.

If you wish to remain in the UK then you will need to get a new job with an alternative Tier 2 Sponsor Licence Holder. You can apply for a new Tier 2 General Visa this way and this can supersede the one you currently have.

Can I switch from a Tier 2 General Visa to a different visa?

Yes, absolutely! In most cases you can switch from a Tier 2 General Visa to almost any other visa in the UK as long as you fit the eligibility criteria for the new visa. It is common for Tier 2 General Visa holders to get enough money together to become a Tier 1 Entrepreneur - this is very beneficial because of the enhanced rights that you gain over a Tier 2 General Visa.

Once you have spent 5 years in the UK, you can also switch from being on a Tier 2 General Visa to having Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) by applying for Tier 2 ILR. This means that you are no longer under immigration control and can leave the country as and when you wish.

Will brexit make any difference to immigration in the UK?

There is a large potential for Brexit to make a huge difference to the Tier 2 General Visa, at this point we are still unsure of what the future holds, but if there is one thing for certain, it's that the future of immigration to the UK is likely to be significantly different after 2019. You should keep up with news media to see what changes are going to happen and we will of course keep our clients updated.

Where can I get more help?

If you need help with sponsorship in the UK then please get in touch. We can help with your immigration query and help to set your mind at ease. We have a team of experts with years of experience helping people just like you. Call today and see how our experts can help with your query.