This section explains how to assess your migrants' points before issuing a certificate of sponsorship under the points-based system.
How points are awarded to tier 2 - skilled workers
This page explains how points are awarded to migrants under the tier 2 - skilled worker category of the points-based system.
How points are awarded for initial applications
You should check that the migrant will score a total of 70 points across the different criteria before you assign a certificate of sponsorship. The 70 points must include 10 points for maintenance and 10 points for English language skills.
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Criteria for points
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What Home Office award points for
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Points awarded
|
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Sponsorship
(up to 50 points available)
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The job is on the shortage occupation list
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50
|
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The job meets the resident labour market test
|
30
|
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The migrant is switching from a post-study worker category
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30
|
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Qualifications
(up to 15 points available)
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None or under the level of a qualification below degree level
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0
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Qualification below degree level
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5
|
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Bachelor's or master's degree
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10
|
|
PhD
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15
|
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Future expected earnings
(up to 20 points available)
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Less than £17,000
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0
|
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£17,000 - £19,999
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5
|
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£20,000 - £21,999
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10
|
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£22,000 - £23,999
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15
|
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£24,000 or more
|
20
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Maintenance
(10 points available)
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£800
or
The certificate of sponsorship is issued by an A-rated sponsor who will certify that it:
§ will maintain and accommodate the migrant until the end of their first month in the United Kingdom; and
§ has informed the migrant that they must not claim state benefits
|
10
|
|
English language skills
(10 points available)
|
The migrant is a national of a majority English-speaking country
or
The migrant has passed an English language test
or
The migrant has a degree that was taught in English
|
10
|
How points are awarded for extension applications
You should check that the migrant will score a total of 70 points across the different criteria before you assign a certificate of sponsorship. The 70 points must include 10 points for maintenance and 10 points for English language skills.
|
Criteria for points
|
What Home Office award points for
|
Points awarded
|
|
Sponsorship
(up to 50 points available)
|
The migrant was initially issued a certificate of sponsorship under the transitional arrangements
|
50
|
|
The migrant was awarded points when last given permission to stay because the job was in a shortage occupation
|
50
|
|
The migrant has a certificate of sponsorship for any other reason
|
30
|
|
Qualifications
(up to 15 points available)
|
None or under the level of a qualification below degree level
|
0
|
|
Qualification below degree level
|
5
|
|
Bachelor's or master's degree
|
10
|
|
PhD
|
15
|
|
Future expected earnings
(up to 20 points available)
|
Less than £17,000
|
0
|
|
£17,000 - £19,999
|
5
|
|
£20,000 - £21,999
|
10
|
|
£22,000 - £23,999
|
15
|
|
£24,000 or more
|
20
|
|
Maintenance
(10 points available)
|
£800
or
The certificate of sponsorship is issued by an A-rated sponsor who will certify that it:
§ will maintain and accommodate the migrant until the end of their first month in the United Kingdom; and
§ has informed the migrant that they must not claim state benefits
|
10
|
|
English language skills
(10 points available)
|
The migrant is a national of a majority English-speaking country
or
The migrant has passed an English language test
or
The migrant has a degree that was taught in English
|
10
|
If you are confirming maintenance (funds) for initial applications
If you are an A-rated sponsor when you assign a certificate of sponsorship under tier 2, you can confirm (certify) that you will maintain and accommodate the migrant until the end of their first month of employment in the United Kingdom. If you do this, the migrant will not need to show that they have £800 available.
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