Date updated: Wednesday 17th January 2018

If you wish to employ non British nationals, and non EEA nationals in your organisation, you will need to apply to become a sponsor. A migrant worker must have a sponsor before they can apply to come to the UK to work.

There are two routes available:

Tier 2

For skilled workers with a job offer

There are 4 categories:

  • Tier 2 (General) - for workers who have an offer of a skilled job which cannot be filled by a settled worker, including jobs on the shortage occupation list.
  • Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) - for existing employees of multinational employers, and are either:
    • Long term staff - the employee must have worked for the employer for more than 12 months or earn over £73,900, and the positon cannot be filled within the UK.
    • Graduate Trainee - for an employee who transfers into a specialist role and has at least 3 months experience with the employer.
  • Tier 2 (Sportsperson) - for elite sportspeople and coaches, who are well established and whose employment will make a significant contribution to the UK
  • Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) - for religious workers with an offer of a job within a faith community e.g. as a member of a religious order.

Tier 5

For temporary workers or an exchange scheme

There are 2 categories:

  • Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) - to help satisfy cultural charitable, religious and international objectives.
    • Creative and sporting - for sports people, entertainers & creative artists for up to 12 months.
    • Charity Workers - for voluntary workers doing unpaid work for a charity
    • Religious workers e.g. preaching or working in a religious order.
    • Government authorised exchange - for work experience or training – through an approved government authorised exchange scheme
    • International agreement - e.g. private servant in a diplomatic household
  • Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) – a cultural exchange to promote the UK overseas for 18 to 30 year olds, from participating countries.