Tier Three of the new UK immigration system allows migrants who are unskilled/low skilled to apply for work within the UK. Tier three however only allows applicants to apply for temporary work, which is largely seasonal work. This section of the tier system replaces the current Seasonal Agricultural Workers scheme (SAWS) and the Sector Based Scheme (SBS).

The application to work within the UK under tier three is very much an employer led process. Before an employer can consider using labour help from outside of the EU they need to attempt to get workers from within the UK; if this attempt fails they are them permitted to seek help further a field from migrants.

The work that can be found within tier three of the new UK immigration process is temporary and low skilled, some examples include seasonal work helping farmers or working for a construction company in order to finish a specific project.

Tier three doesn’t however allow settlement within the UK and will not provide migrants with the opportunity to apply for permanent Residence in the UK. You are allowed to stay working in the UK for a maximum of 12 months whilst carrying out your work; once these 12 months are over you are obliged to return home. Switching and applying to other tiers is also prohibited. You also need to obtain sponsorship as part of your application within tier three.

Tier 3 visas are intended to cater for the fluctuating need for low skilled workers throughout the year and will be used in circumstances where the Skills Advisory Body (SAB) identifies a shortage area which cannot be filled by the domestic workforce.

See Tier Four