Tier 2 for students with job offer

This category is for students who have a job offer for a graduate level job from a Tier 2 sponsor.    You can find out the list of current Tier 2 sponsors from the UKBA website.

When can I apply for this visa?

1. After you have been awarded your degree or have completed at least 12 months of your PhD.

2. You must apply before your current student visa expires.  It is not possible to apply for this category from your home country.  It is therefore very important that you do not travel after your degree has been awarded to you.

What are the requirements for this visa?

1. The requirements for this visa are the same as the mainstream Tier 2 category except for the fact that the employer will not have to apply the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT).  This means the employer can offer you the job if you are the best person for the post even if there are suitable applicants from the UK/European Economic Area.

2. You will need to be paid at least £20,300 to claim the required points and the salary specified in the Codes of Practice published by the UK Border Agency.  The relevant tables  Table 1 (Occupations skilled to PhD-level) and Table 2 (Occupations skilled to NQF level 6 and above.

3. There is also now a new entrants salary that applies to you if are a graduate and you switch from Tier 4 into Tier 2 under the post-study work provisions of Tier 2, or if you are recruited through a university "milkround" or if you are under 26 years old.  Otherwise you may need to satisfy the experienced worker salary levels which are higher.

4. For example, if you have a job offer as an Electrical Engineer  you will need to look at  Code 2123 which specifies a salary of £23,600 as a new entrant.   If your job offer is for less than this your application will be refused.  It is therefore essential that you always check the Code of Practice before you accept a job offer.  

4. You will also need to show you have maintained £900 funds in your bank account for 90 days.  If you have any dependants you will need to add on £600 for each person for the 90 days. Further information is available on the process for applying for the Tier 2 visa.

5. You will need to have been awarded your degree or completed at least 12 months of your PhD and have a current student visa granted for the current course.

When can I start my graduate job?

You may be able to start your graduate job whilst awaiting a decision on their application for further leave under tier 2 provided your Tier 4 visa was granted on or after 6 April 2012.   However, please note this is subject to agreement by the employer who may want to wait until your visa has been issued. 

If you do not get a job offer before your student visa expires you will need to return home and apply under the mainstream Tier 2 which will be much harder as your employer may be limited as to the number of foreign nationals they can sponsor under the cap.  In addition, they will have to apply the Resident Labour Market Test.