Online Tier 2 General example application form
switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2 inside the UK The online Tier 2 General application form for applying within the UK is accessible from: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/tier2-general (scroll to the bottom and click on the green ‘Apply now’ button) You can save your application as you go through, however it is a good idea to have all information to hand before you complete your application. You must provide all information required by the form.
Please remember the example below is just to give you an idea of what to expect when
completing the form. You must ensure you complete your application with all details relevant
to your circumstances. The form is intelligent so the questions will alter depending on the
answers you provide; it is very likely that you may have some slightly different questions
than appear in the example below.
1. Creating your application On the opening screen (https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/tier2-general) you will need to scroll to the bottom and click on the green ‘Apply now’ button:
You will then need to click that you are currently in the UK, then save and continue. Answer the question about Legal Representatives (if you are getting help and advice from an Adviser in The Hub you can answer ‘no’ to this question). Then enter your email address and create a password. The next screen you will see is the one below. To start completing the application form click on the green ‘Answer questions about this person’ button. If you have any dependants who are with you in the UK and applying for a Tier 2 Dependant visa at the same time you can click on the blue hyperlink to add their details to the application. After completing each page click on ‘save and continue’.
Click here to begin
your visa application
2. Personal Details
Please complete your personal details. This information is fairly straightforward but must be the same as is shown on your passport. Please read all of the questions carefully and answer fully and accurately. If you leave relevant information out then your visa may be refused. The below is just an example application. You must fill in all of your own details on the form. Once you have completed your details please click on the green ‘Save and Continue’ button.
Answer questions
here about
yourself
Add details here of any
dependants applying for a
Tier 2 Dependant visa
with you in the UK
You can save your answers, exit
the application and return later
by clicking on ‘Return to this
application later’. You can chose
to have the link to your
application form emailed to you.
We recommend that you save
the form frequently as it will log
you out if it is inactive for a
certain amount of time.
3. Contact details
Please complete your contact details. The below is just an example application. You must fill in all of your own details on the form.
4. Gender and relationship status Please answer the questions on your gender and relationship status.
5. Nationality, date and country of birth Please answer the questions on your nationality, date and country of birth. The below is just an example application. You must fill in all of your own details on the form.
6. Passport details Answer if you have your passport or not and if yes, then please complete your passport details. The below is just an example application. You must fill in all of your own details on the form.
7. Visa Details Next, you must select the type of visa you currently have. If you are switching to Tier 2 from anything other than a Tier 4 General visa, please speak to an Adviser in The Hub first.
You then need to input the date that your visa is valid from and the date that it is valid until. The below is just an example application. You must fill in all of your own details on the form.
8. Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) If you have a biometric residence permit (a visa card rather than a sticker in your passport) you need to answer yes and then enter the BRP number (the number in the top right corner of the card on the same side as your photo).
If your current visa is a sticker in your passport then you should answer ‘No, I did not
have a biometric residence permit for my most recent leave’. The below is just an example application. You must fill in all of your own details on the form.
BRP number
9. National Insurance number Your National Insurance Number (or NINO) is your own personal account number and makes sure that you pay the correct amount of tax and National Insurance contributions. It also acts as a reference number for the whole social security system. You will only have a NINO if you have specifically applied for one. If you have one it should have 2 letters, then 6 numbers then a final letter as in the example on the application form below. If you do not have a NINO please tick the box underneath the question.
10. Your qualification
Select which qualification you have been awarded.
Select what evidence of this qualification you will be submitting with your visa application. If you have got your degree certificate already then you need to select this option and submit it with your visa application. If you have only just been awarded the qualification and do not yet have the certificate, or you are switching on the basis of having completed 12 months or more of a PhD then select ‘Official transcript or letter’. You will need to obtain an ‘academic reference letter’ from MAP or an International Student Adviser in The Hub. This will confirm what degree you have been awarded and when you were awarded it and that it was taught in English.
11. Official financial sponsorship
If you are switching into Tier
2 on the basis of having
completed 12 months or
more of a PhD then you
need to select this option.
If you are switching into Tier 2 on
the basis of having completed 12
months or more of a PhD then you
need to select this option and
obtain an academic reference
letter from an Adviser in The Hub.
12. Public funds
Public funds means money paid by the UK government in the form of welfare benefits. International students on a Tier 4 visa are not permitted to claim public funds.
13. Criminal / Civil Offences, War Crimes and Terrorist Activities You should answer all the following questions truthfully and to the best of your ability. If you are unsure about anything it is better to include information here rather than leave it out. Refusals based on deception can be very hard to challenge.
If you have been financially
sponsored by a government
or international scholarship
agency then you need to
answer ‘yes’ to this
question and must provide
written consent from your
sponsor that they agree to
your Tier 2 visa application.
If you have been sponsored
by your family or used your
own funds you should
answer ‘no’.
14. Sponsor details
Your employer will need to
provide you with this number.
If your employer is a
University you should
select the first
option.
15. Certificate of Sponsorship
Your employer will need
to provide you with this
number. It is unique to
you. Copy and paste it
if it has been sent to
you electronically
rather than typing it
manually, to avoid any
errors.
You will need to check this
with your employer.
You will need to check these
details with your employer
so that you input the exact
information that is on your
Certificate of Sponsorship.
To check if your salary offer
meets the required
minimum for the job you will
be doing you need to consult
the Codes of Practice.
To check if your job is on the
shortage occupation list click
here. You can also check
with your employer.
XXX
X
Now check your answers carefully!
If you have made mistakes or want to add further information you should do this now before your answers are locked and cannot be changed. Then scroll to the bottom and click on ‘next’.
If your CoS is issued for more
than 3 years the cost of visa
application is significantly higher
(currently £1328 as opposed to
£664 from within the UK – April
2016)
16. Documents The next page is the list of documents you must provide with your visa application form. Tick each box to indicate that you are including these documents. The below is just an example application. The list of documents on your application form may be slightly different.
There are 4 ways to apply: Standard (postal, usually takes 6-8 weeks), Priority service (takes 10 working days), Premium service (in person, decision on the day of your appointment) or Super Premium service (decision within 24 hours). Standard is the cheapest and Super Premium the most expensive. If you apply using the Standard service you need to ensure your documents are received by the Home Office within 15 working days of the date your submit your visa application form online. If you want to go
Application form is now
complete – all questions have
been answered.
This is the academic
reference letter which you
can request on MAP or
from an International
Student Adviser in The
Hub. This is not a normal
academic reference from
your tutor and must
contain specific
information.
in person you can book your appointment when you get to the payment page of your application form.
17. Declaration
We advise you to read this declaration very carefully as it is a legal agreement.
18. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) You need to pay the IHS as part of your visa application. This is a new charge which nearly all applicants applying for a visa of more than 6 months need to pay. For Tier 2 applications this requires an upfront payment of £200 per year that your visa will be issued for. If you have dependants they will also need to pay this. If you have not
already made this payment, click on ‘I don’t have an IHS reference number’ then click on the green ‘Go to IHS website’ button. You will be redirected to the IHS website where you can make the payment by debit or credit card. You can then click to go back to your visa application.
19. Payment
Select the service you want.
If you want to make your visa application by post you should select Standard service and then input your card details to make your payment. If you want to apply in person, select Premium service and then chose which Premium Service Centre you want to attend.
Once you go to the IHS
website you can’t make
any changes to your
application so double
check it all before
clicking on the green
button.
You will then be shown which dates are available for appointments in the next few weeks. Chose the date and then the time at which you want to attend, then make your payment.
After you have made your payment remember to:
Save a copy of your visa application form for your records (as you may not be able to access it later)
Print the document checklist
Get all of your original documents together and take a photocopy of them for your records.
If you are applying by post put all your documents into an envelope together with the document checklist you have printed.
If applying by post send your documents by recorded delivery to the address on the document checklist and keep the receipt. Your employer may need to see this as evidence that you have made the visa application. You can also show them the document checklist as evidence.
Biometrics You will be sent a letter a few weeks after making your visa application asking you to enrol your biometrics (fingerprints and a scan of your face). You do not need to do this until you receive the letter. You can enrol your biometrics at many Post Offices around the UK. Please note there is a £19.20 charge for enrolling your biometrics.
Please contact an Adviser in The Hub if you are unsure about any of the information above: 0121 204 4567 or [email protected]