The Tier 2 General category allows you to settle in the United Kingdom after five years continuous residence. You must be in continuous employment through the periods. Your employer must also give you a letter to certify in writing that they still need you in the job; or give you a new certificate of sponsorship for your settlement application.

You must have enough English language skills and enough knowledge about life in the United Kingdom, in line with paragraphs 245ZH of the immigration rules, unless you are under 18 years old or over 65 years old when you apply.

The five year continuous time in the United Kingdom can include any time you spent under any of the following immigration categories you were in before tier 2 of the points-based system:

§                     a member of the operational ground staff of an overseas-owned airline,

§                     a minister of religion, missionary or member of a religious order,

§                     a qualifying work permit holder,

§                     a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation,

§                     a highly skilled worker, investor or entrepreneur in tier 1.

Your dependants are eligible to apply for settlement at the same time as you, as long as they have lived with you in the United Kingdom for a minimum of two years before applying for settlement. Your children are eligible to apply for settlement at the same time as you, as long as they meet the requirements of the immigration rules.