Tier 2 Visa UK: What You Need to Know About Working in the UK

When you’re planning to work in the UK long-term, the Tier 2 visa, a UK work visa for skilled workers sponsored by a licensed employer. Also known as the Skilled Worker visa, it’s the main path for non-EU nationals to legally live and work in the UK. This isn’t a tourist pass or a student permit—it’s a work-based route with real requirements, paperwork, and deadlines. If you’re thinking about moving to London or any other UK city for a job, this is where you start.

The biggest thing you need to know? You can’t apply for a Tier 2 visa on your own. You need a UK sponsor, an employer officially approved by the Home Office to hire foreign workers. That means your job offer has to come from a company on the UK’s list of licensed sponsors. No sponsor? No visa. It’s that simple. And not every job qualifies—your role must be on the approved list of skilled occupations, and you usually need to earn at least £26,200 a year, or the going rate for that job, whichever is higher. Some roles, like nurses or teachers, have lower salary thresholds, but you’ll still need proof of qualifications and English language ability.

Once you have your job offer and sponsor, the process moves fast—but only if you get the documents right. You’ll need your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), proof of savings, your passport, and sometimes a tuberculosis test. The application is online, and you pay a fee plus the healthcare surcharge—around £700–£1,400 depending on how long you’re staying. Most people get a decision in under three weeks. But here’s the catch: if your employer makes a mistake on the CoS, or if your documents don’t match up, your application gets rejected. No second chances. No appeals. You start over.

And what about family? If you’re approved, your partner and kids under 18 can join you on a dependent visa. But they can’t work unless they get their own sponsorship. And if your job ends? You have 60 days to find a new sponsor or leave the UK. There’s no safety net. The UK government doesn’t give you time to figure things out.

You might be wondering how this connects to living in London. Well, a lot of the posts below are written by people who’ve gone through this. Whether it’s figuring out student housing near Imperial College, understanding UK tax rules for expats, or navigating the Oyster card cap to save on transport, every one of these guides assumes you’re already here—or planning to be. The Tier 2 visa isn’t just a stamp in your passport. It’s the key that unlocks everything else: rent, bank accounts, healthcare, even the right to buy a coffee without being asked for your ID every time.

If you’re reading this because you’re about to start the process, know this: it’s not easy, but it’s doable. Thousands do it every year. The key is preparation. Know your sponsor. Know your salary. Know your deadlines. And don’t trust advice from random forums—stick to official sources. Below, you’ll find real, practical guides from people who’ve been there. From how to handle UK taxes as an expat to where to find affordable housing near top universities, these posts cover the details that matter once you’ve got your visa.