UK Tier 2 visa rules for umbrella company sponsorship

The rules for a UK Tier 2 General visa sponsorship by an umbrella company for a contract job are specific and require careful consideration:

1. Eligibility of Umbrella Company: To sponsor a Tier 2 General visa, the umbrella company must be a licensed sponsor with the UK Home Office. It must hold a sponsorship license and be registered to offer visas for specific job roles, including contract jobs.

2. Contract Job Validity: The contract job must be with a company that meets the requirements for visa sponsorship. For example, the role should be skilled (typically at least RQF Level 6, which means equivalent to a bachelor's degree or higher) and meet the minimum salary thresholds. The contract should align with the type of work covered by the Tier 2 General visa.

3. Salary Requirements: For the Tier 2 General visa, the job must pay a salary that meets the minimum thresholds set by the Home Office. Generally, this is at least £26,200 per year or £10.75 per hour, though certain occupations may have different thresholds.

4. Temporary and Contractual Work: An umbrella company may act as the sponsor, but the contract job itself must meet the criteria for sponsorship under the Tier 2 visa, including being a ""genuine vacancy."" The umbrella company will typically handle administrative and payroll tasks while the employee works for the client company under the terms of the contract.

5. Role and Skill Level: The role you are contracted for must be skilled, and it must fit within the approved occupation codes for Tier 2 visas. Unskilled roles or those that don't meet the skill or salary requirements are not eligible for Tier 2 sponsorship.

6. Duration of the Visa: A Tier 2 General visa can be granted for up to 5 years, depending on the length of the contract. After this period, the applicant may apply for indefinite leave to remain if they meet all other requirements.

7. Contract Job Flexibility: While an umbrella company can sponsor a Tier 2 visa for a contract role, the nature of the contract job must be clear and consistent with the Home Office's requirements. If the contract is for temporary work or is of uncertain duration, this may affect the sponsorship process.

To proceed with a Tier 2 General visa through an umbrella company, it's crucial that the umbrella company is licensed to sponsor employees and that the job adheres to the visa criteria set by the UK Home Office.