Tier 2 visa is needed to travel to the UK for employment. This post only covers the application process. Please also go through Tier 2 Visa Guidelines before you continue reading this post.
The Visa Process
The basic process is similar to that of the PLAB visa:
- Submit an online visa form from the Visa4UK website.
- Take an appointment for passport submission and ID check.
- Attend the appointment.
- Track your application.
1. The Online Form
The online form is very simple and very similar to the one for PLAB visa. Once you submit this form, you will be asked to pay your visa fee and an additional immigration health surcharge fee.
The Visa Fee
£587
Immigration Health Surcharge
£200 per year.
This depends on the length of your trip mentioned on your certificate of sponsorship. My certificate mentioned a year-long contract. So I paid £200 for this.
2. Booking an Appointment
As soon as you submit the above-mentioned fee, you will be asked to book an appointment for passport submission and your ID check at the visa office. You can select an appointment time that is convenient for you.
3. The Appointment
Once you reach the visa office, you will be offered a premium service, which includes tea and biscuits; you will not have to wait in the queue either. A few people prefer this service. However, most reviews are negative since there is no major difference between this and the regular service. Our visa application is not processed earlier because of this service.
The rest of the process will be the same as your PLAB 2 visa appointment. You will be asked to submit your passport. Your ID will be confirmed by taking a picture and fingerprint scans.
There has been a recent change with regards to document submission from Pakistan. Now our documents are not submitted, but only scanned and returned back to us. Only our passport is submitted. This change has been implemented only for points-based visas and settlement visas, not for PLAB visas.
4. Tracking Your Application
You can use this link to go the official UK government website to track the progress of your visa application.
Source: Official Tier 2 document by the Home Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it necessary to submit my passport at the visa office?
A few visa offices offer the service where you do not have to submit your passport. This is ideal for people who wish to travel elsewhere during the coming weeks and do not feel comfortable in submitting their passport. You should check with your local visa office if this service is available to you.
2. Is it necessary that I must have 70 points?
Yes.
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3. Is it certain that I will get my visa if I score 70 points?
No, your application will still be judged based on your circumstances and your past. However, scoring 70 points is a must to get visa approval.
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4. For how long do I need to have savings of £945 in my bank account?
If your hospital is not providing you with maintenance, then you must have personal savings of at least £945, which must have been held for 90 consecutive days (finishing on the date of the closing balance), ending no more than 31 days before the date of their application to score 10 points for maintenance.
What if we have any relatives in UK ?
Can they help us in this regard? If so , how ?
Thank you
You do not need help or support from relatives for your Tier 2 visa application.
Hello!
From where can we get the application form for visa. Im from Mauritius and i didnt need to get a plab visa so i dont knw from where to get.
Thanks.
Is it mandatory to return to home country for tier2?
This is the link for the visa application:
visa4uk.fco.gov.uk
If you are on PLAB visa, it is mandatory to leave the UK to apply for Tier 2 visa, but different visas have different rules. You can email the UKBA or the UKVI to confirm this.
How long does it take after submission to get your Tier 2 visa? Can one expedite the process?
From Pakistan, it usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. It takes less from India. So it can vary depending on where you are applying from.
So > GMC registration > find job on NHS website > then if i got a job > APPLY FOR TIER 2 VISA showing my job offer ? . I just want to organize my thoughts .
You can start looking for jobs as soon as you pass your exam, without waiting for your registration.
This might help:
https://naseersjourney.com/2017/03/30/my-timeline-for-plab-2-planning/
Sorry but it seems you did not get my question . I wanted to know about the tier 2 visa . we should apply for it after we get the job offer ?
Yes, you can apply for Tier 2 visa only after you have been offered a job. Because you need sponsorship from your UK employer for your tier 2 visa.
Hello!If you don’t mind May I ask when exactly you will start working in UK? I’m curious about the time between PLAB 2 exam and starting your first job?
I will probably start in August. It takes roughly 6 months between PLAB 2 and first day at work. 🙂
Thank you for your kind and quick response! I am wondering if there are any ways to make things quicker and get a job in around 4 months? Thanks in advance
That is possible, if your hospital runs things quickly and if you get your visa in less time.
From my home country, visa takes about a month.
Because of financial issues it is not possible for me to go to UK again. Is there a way or any other type of visa via which l can give plab 2 and after that do attachments there in UK , apply for jobs and may get an offer?
I am very sorry but I do not understand your question. You stated that it is not possible for you to go to the UK. But you are asking which visa you will need to go to the UK for PLAB 2.
You can go to the UK for PLAB 2 on any visa. Most people choose the PLAB visa.
Hi Naseer! Thank you for your very informative blog.
Pls did the hospital show the maintenance funds for you? Or did you have to source for the money yourself?
Thanks.
The hospital ticked maintenance on my Certificate of Sponsorship and issued me a maintenance letter.
Hi Naseer,
After getting job, can a person apply for spouse visa along with main applicant?
What are the chance that both will get visa?
Yes, doctors can apply for Tier 2 Dependent visa for their spouse and children and I have never seen it getting refused.
Is it possible to apply for this visa through priority service from Pakistan?
Yes, it is. The response comes back in 5 to 7 working days. You will have to subscribe to it on the spot at Gerry’s and pay PKR 20,000 to PKR 30,000 at Gerry’s in cash.
Thanks a lot. My cos ticked that it’s on the shortage occupation list. Does that mean that I pay less for my visa as stated on the gov website?
I’m sorry, I’m not aware of this. But official websites are the best guides.
When you do find out, please do inform me about this. Thank you! 😊
Good morning to you Naseer. I was wondering if one can take on extra shifts/locum on a tier 2 visa to make extra money. I have a wife and child along with me and that is why i ask. Have a good day.
Good morning! 🙂
Yes, you can work 20 hours per week at a locum post. Locum posts are easily available and pay at double rates (around 30 to 60 GBP per hour).
This link might clear your doubts.
https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general/second-job
what do we write in additional info section of application form?
Just write a summary of your visa application. Nothing special. Don’t worry about it. Best of luck! 🙂
Additional information section is given to us to write any information that we feel is important but we were not able to share it elsewhere in the application. If you do not have any such information, you can write a very brief summary of your case.
Hi
I have to apply also for general tier 2 visa,but I am preparing for general UKVI exam, now i am confused that ether it is acceptable or I have to appear for academic??
I am going to work as Sonogrpaher there
Need your help kindly
I think the UKVI General Training exam is acceptable. But I am not sure. Taking the Academic exam is safer. You can always email or call them to confirm this.
I don’t understand the points part.. Scoring points. What’s that all about l
Our application is judged on the basis of points.
I have given my IELTS Academic exam. would i have to give another IELTS Academic exam (this time being UKVI Academic) to apply for this tier 2 visa?
That is right. You’ll have to take IELTS UKVI Academic in order to be able to apply for the Tier 2 visa.
Good luck! 🙂
Is there ielts ukvi academic test available in pakistan ??
Yes, both Australian Education Office and British Council conduct IELTS UKVI in Pakistan.
Dr. Naseer. Your blog has been very informative and helpful to me. I want to ask, do you know if having a dependent like a child can affect you getting a tier2 visa?
It will have no effect. You can apply for the child’s Tier 2 dependent visa as well.
……also would there be need for your bank statement if you already have a sponsor recognized by the GMC.
If your Trust is providing maintenance, then you do not need to attach your bank statement.
If I passed MRCP AND IELTS SCORING 7.5. Can I apply tier 2 visa from out side UK?
Yes, you can.
thanks for referring me here. cleared my earlier question. would please also like to know if one can apply for a tier2 visa while in the UK with a visitors visa.
I am not sure about that. But I have never heard of such an example.
Hello Dr. Nasser
Congratulations on your very detailed and informative blog! I wanted to ask that the tier 2 visa is granted for 3 years(as mentioned in your blog), but what if you want to stay longer? For becoming a consultant or at least going up to Specialty training (ST) more than 3 years is required, isn’t it? How do we extend our visa?
Thank you
Whenever we get a new job contract or our correct job contract is extended, our visa can be easily renewed. So that not an issue. I hope this helped.
Yes, it has helped. One further query, each time we move up the job ladder, i.e say enter core training or Specialty training or change our job because of a higher post (ST after CT) to that of a different employer, do we need to issue the tier 2 visa again? It’s given that it’s issued only for 6 years at max. What about after that?
Thank you so much again, and I must mention again how helpful your blog is! 😊
Yes, each time we change a job, we have to apply for a new visa.
Maximum visa is issued for 3 years from what I know.
And no problem! Thank you for your kind words! And thank you for visiting the blog! 😊
Ok, I think maybe the extension is maximum up to 6 years… And after 5 years, we can apply for permanent residency right? For going up to a position of consultancy, would you suggest simply extending your visa every time (if it can be issued beyond 6 years) or applying for permanent residency/national after 5/6 years? (Because it may take 8 years t become a consultant, right?)
You can always extend your visa without any limit as long as you have a job in the UK. Once you’ve been in the UK for five years, you can apply for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain).
Assalam o aliakum
I was going thru visa application for and have some confusions in dependant application
one point is the address where main applicant is working – till now I am not working in UK, although have job offer and COS already, so should I mention my current job address?
and also in dependant visa application – main applicant is the dependant or the the one who got job/COS
thanks in advance
Walekum Salam!
I’m not sure because I don’t remember being asked for my work address for Tier 2 visa application.
I’m not sure about the second question either. I’m sorry.
It would be best to post this query on the Facebook groups to get more responses. I’m sure someone will guide you there.
Good luck! 🙂
Thank you so much for all your effort.
My question is about the ‘appropriate salary’; Above £30,000 with or without allowances?
The offer I have (FY2) has the salary of £40,000 with allowances and £28,500 without allowances.
Does that meet the criteria?
I’m not sure. Depends on what is written on your CoS.
Dear Dr naseer, your blog Is so informative. Keep up the good work. I wrote ielts academy( should have written ielts ukvi) fast forward, I have passed plab 2 and sent my documents to gmc for license to practice, my question when can I write ielts ukvi for the purpose of tier 2? Can I write ielts ukvi before ID check.? I hope it won’t nullify ielts academy I wrote initially. Thanks
You can and you should.
As long as you have applied for GMC registration, you should be fine.
To be on the safe side, make sure your IELTS test date is booked for after your ID check.
Hi Naseer,
The hospital trust which has agreed to sponsor me doesn’t offer me accomodation.They told me that they would offer me only a temporary accomodation for a few weeks.
So when I apply for my tier visa,is it necessary for get a letter from my relatives or friends stating that they are willing to let me live in their home for a short duration?(to send to the visa officials).
Also btw in the CoS they have ticked maintenance.So is it enough if I just put the hospital address in the application or must I get other letters or reservations.
Sorry I realize my question is too long.
Hello, may i clarify with you about the registration. I have tried to register an account at the visa4uk website. After keying in all my details, it says it will send you an email for verification, only then you can proceed further. But I have not received anything for more than 12 hours. I am very sure my email address is correct and there are no emails in the junk mail. Is this normal?
Aoa sir,
I want to ask if I can apply for tier 2 visa while I am in uk on my visit visa for 6months?? Or I have to go back to Pakistan and apply for tuer 2??
Also can I apply for tb test,ielts ukvi and police clearance certificate before I submit my application for tier 2 visa??
1. No.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.
I am going to apply for my Tier 2 visa this monday. I will be staying at the hospital accomodation and i mentioned the same in visa application. Do i need any proof of that to submit as well?
Many thanks
Yes. Ticked maintenance on CoS is a proof. 🙂
Hi Nasir bhai,
If i am eligible for Tier-2 visa then what the visa option will be for my husband (non medical person) and my 5 years age kid provided that I also want to bring them into uk?
Both of them can apply for Tier 2 dependent visa. 🙂
Can my husband do paid work using tier 2 dependent visa?
So after you do the job interviews.. if they offered you a job… you have to leave the uk and apply for tier 2 then again return to the uk??
That is correct.
Hello sir,
Is cover letter mandatory for tier 2 visa ?
My appointment is on Wednesday .
Kindly guide me.
Thank you