Apply For a Work Visa

Where is Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) Needed?

The Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa is a visa that allows skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to live and work in the UK. It is needed if you are a skilled worker from outside the EEA and you want to live and work in the UK for more than 6 months.

You will need to have a valid job offer from a licensed sponsor in the UK in order to be eligible for a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa. Your job offer must be for a skilled job that pays at least £26,200 per year. You must also have a clean criminal record and be able to speak English to a certain level.

The Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa is valid for up to 5 years. You can apply to extend your visa for a further 5 years after that. After 5 years of living in the UK on a Tier 2 General visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR gives you the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely.

Here are the countries where the Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa is needed:

• All countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
• All countries outside the Common Travel Area (CTA)
• Countries that do not have a visa waiver agreement with the UK.

If you are a citizen of a country that is not on this list, you will need a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa to live and work in the UK.

Where is Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) Visa Not Needed?

If you are a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you do not need a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa to live and work in the UK. You will be able to live and work in the UK without a visa as long as you have a valid passport and a residence card. If you are a citizen of a country that is part of the Common Travel Area (CTA), you do not need a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa to live and work in the UK. The CTA includes the UK, the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.

If you are a citizen of a country that has a visa waiver agreement with the UK, you may be able to visit the UK for up to 6 months without a visa. You can check if your country has a visa waiver agreement with the UK on the UKVI website.

If you are not a citizen of the EEA, Switzerland, the CTA, or a country with a visa waiver agreement with the UK, you will need a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa to live and work in the UK.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for Applying Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) Visa?

Here are the eligibility criteria for applying for a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa:

• You must have a valid job offer from a licensed sponsor in the UK.
• Your job offer must be for a skilled job that pays at least £26,200 per year.
• You must have a clean criminal record.
• You must have enough money to support yourself and your dependents in the UK.
• You must be able to speak English to a certain level.
• You must not be a threat to national security.

What is the minimum salary threshold for Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) Visa?

The minimum salary threshold for a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa is £26,200 per year. This means that your employer must be paying you at least £26,200 per year in order for you to be eligible for a Tier 2 General visa.

There are a few exceptions to the minimum salary threshold. For example, if you are working in a shortage occupation, the minimum salary threshold may be lower. You can check the latest shortage occupation lists on the UKVI website.

What is the Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) Visa Application Fee?

The Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa application fee is £399 for adults and £199 for children under 18 years old. This fee is payable when you submit your visa application.

In addition to the application fee, you may also need to pay other fees, such as:

• Health surcharge: You will need to pay a health surcharge if you are applying for a visa that allows you to stay in the UK for more than six months. The health surcharge is currently £624 per year for adults and £312 per year for children under 18 years old.
• English language test: You may need to take an English language test if you are not a native English speaker. The cost of an English language test varies depending on the test you take.
• Immigration health surcharge: You will need to pay an immigration health surcharge if you are applying for a visa that allows you to stay in the UK for more than six months. The immigration health surcharge is currently £624 per year for adults and £312 per year for children under 18 years old.

Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) Visa Processing Time?

The processing time for a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa can vary depending on a number of factors, including the time of year you apply, the complexity of your application, and the availability of resources at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

The standard processing time for a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa is 3 weeks. However, this can be longer during peak times, such as the summer months. If your application is complex or if there are any delays with your employer's sponsor license application, the processing time may be longer.

What can you do with Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) Visa?

A Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa allows you to live and work in the UK for up to 5 years. You can also bring your dependents (spouse and children under 18) with you on your visa.

Here are some of the things you can do with a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa:

• Work in a skilled job: You can work in any skilled job that meets the salary requirements for a Tier 2 General visa. This includes jobs in IT, engineering, healthcare, and finance.
• Study in the UK: You can study in the UK at a recognized university or college. You will need to apply for a Tier 4 student visa if you want to study for more than 6 months.
• Set up your own business: You can set up your own business in the UK if you have the necessary skills and experience. You will need to apply for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa if you want to do this.
• Bring your dependents with you: You can bring your spouse and children under 18 with you on your visa. They will be able to work and study in the UK while you are on your visa.
• Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): After 5 years of living in the UK on a Tier 2 General visa, you may be eligible to apply for ILR. ILR gives you the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely.

What are the documents required for applying Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) Visa?

The documents required for applying for a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa will vary depending on your individual circumstances. However, some of the most common documents required include:

• A valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your intended travel to the UK.
• A recent passport-sized photograph: Your photograph must be taken within the past 6 months and must meet the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements.
• A completed visa application form: You can find the visa application form on the UKVI website.
• Proof of your job offer: This can be in the form of a letter from your employer, stating the details of your job offer, your salary, and the start date of your employment.
• Proof of your qualifications: This can be in the form of your degree certificate, transcripts, or other documentation that proves your education and skills.
• Proof of your English language proficiency: If you are not a native English speaker, you will need to provide proof of your English language proficiency. This can be in the form of an English language test certificate, such as the IELTS or TOEFL.
• A criminal record check: You will need to provide a criminal record check from your home country.
• Medical examination: You may need to undergo a medical examination if you are applying for a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa through a health surcharge waiver.

In addition to these documents, you may also need to provide other documents, such as:

• Proof of your financial resources: If you are not sponsored by your employer, you will need to provide proof that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your dependents in the UK. This can be in the form of bank statements, pay slips, or other documentation.
• Proof of your relationship to your dependents: If you are applying for a visa for your dependents, you will need to provide proof of your relationship to them. This can be in the form of a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or other documentation.

Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) Visa Rejection Reasons?

Here are some reasons why a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa application may be rejected:

• Incomplete or inaccurate documentation: The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will not approve a visa application if the documentation is incomplete or inaccurate. It is important to make sure that all of the required documentation is submitted and that it is complete and accurate.
• Insufficient financial resources: The UKVI requires applicants to have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their dependants in the UK. If the UKVI does not believe that you have sufficient financial resources, your application may be rejected.
• Criminal record: If you have a criminal record, the UKVI may reject your application. The UKVI will consider the severity of the crime, the length of time since the conviction, and any rehabilitation measures you have taken.
• Security threat: The UKVI may reject your application if they believe that you pose a security threat to the UK. This could be the case if you have been involved in terrorism or other serious crimes.
• Medical reasons: The UKVI may reject your application if you have a serious medical condition that would require significant medical treatment in the UK. The UKVI will consider the severity of the medical condition, the availability of treatment in your home country, and the cost of treatment.

If your Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa application is rejected, you will be given a letter explaining the reasons for the rejection. You may be able to appeal the decision, but you will need to provide new evidence to support your appeal.

How can my family join me in applying for the Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) Visa?

Your family members can join you in applying for a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa if they are your:

• Spouse: Your spouse is eligible to apply for a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa on the same basis as you. They will need to provide the same documentation as you, and they will need to be interviewed by a visa officer.
• Dependent children: Your dependent children under the age of 18 are also eligible to apply for a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa on the same basis as you. They will need to provide the same documentation as you, but they will not need to be interviewed by a visa officer.

Can I get Permanent Residency through Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) Visa?

Yes, you can get Permanent Residency through a Tier 2 General (for contract outside IR35) visa. After 10 years of living in the UK on a Tier 2 visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

ILR is the UK equivalent of Permanent Residency. It gives you the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely, and it also allows you to apply for British citizenship after a further 12 months.