The Home Office has created this category to replace the work permit scheme and simply the process and procedures. This category allows people coming to the United Kingdom for employees of multi-national companies who are being transferred by an overseas employer to a skilled job in a United Kingdom based branch of the organisation. It is a must that you have a UK employer who is a valid licence holder to sponsor you and can issue a valid certificate of sponsorship.

When you apply for leave to enter/remain, you will score points on various categories including the following:

• qualifications;
• future expected earnings;
• sponsorship;
• English language skills; and
• available maintenance (funds).

Those who wish to apply under this work category can do so if they apply from outside the United Kingdom in a form of entry clearance, able to switch into the Tier 2 General category or is extending their stay.

If your application is successful, you are able to live and work in the United Kingdom for a maximum of 3 years. If you apply to extend your visa, the maximum allowed to remain is further 2 years.

If you are given permission to extend your stay in the United Kingdom and your previous permission to stay was as a work permit holder, you can still apply under the transitional arrangements for permission to stay for a time that takes you to five years in the United Kingdom. For example, if you have been here for two and a half years with permission as a work permit holder or under the transitional arrangements, you can apply for a further two and a half years permission to stay.

If this means you would get permission to stay for less than a further two years, you can apply for permission to stay for two years instead. For example, if you have been here for four years with permission as a work permit holder or under the transitional arrangements, you can apply for a further two years permission to stay.

You may apply for settlement once you have been here for five years. If you do not, you must apply under the points-based system and make a new application.