Tier 2 Visa and Entry Clearance -- Priority Service Available for Both?

Hi All,

Was wondering if the priority service available from World Bridge can be used for sending in my Tier 2 Application and then, once/if that's approved, if I can use the service again for entry clearance for myself and family.

It appears I can use the service for the Tier 2 Application, but it is not clear anywhere that it can be used for entry clearance (leave to remain).
 
Much appreciated!  Thanks!

Caroline

I think you're confused.  When you complete your Tier 2 application, if it's approved, you are then done.  You will go to the UK with that visa in your passport.  You are given leave to enter at the border. I'm assuming you know this, but the Tier 2 is for skilled workers who are recruited to fill a position that cannot be filled by a settled worker.

Under the current rules, once a Tier 2 holder has resided in the UK for five years, they can then apply for settlement.

Your Tier 2 is an entry clearance (aka visa)...your family would be Tier 2 dependents to your Tier 2 and would have their own Tier 2 Dependent applications (for each of them) and if you want to have any of them processed as priority (including your own) you have to purchase it for each application for each family member prior to physically sending them to the Consulate for processing.

Thanks for the help..,
When I came to the UK both times before it was as a work permit holder and this scheme has been phased out. My job is on the shortage occupation list. I now have to apply for the Tier 2 (once I get my certificate of Sponsorship) and I'm not as familiar with the process.  I thought when I applied for the Tier 2 Visa, I'd then still have to apply for leave to remain (entry clearance) like I did before after I got my work permit.
If the Tier 2 Visa serves as entry clearance, then I only have to make our applications once and can do it with priority service -- that's great!

- 'Entry Clearance' is just another name for a visa issued outside the UK - in your case, it just means that it gives you permission to enter the UK for the purpose of employment (essentially leave to enter).

- 'Leave to Remain' another name for a visa issued inside the UK (because you are already in the UK on a different/expiring visa and are being given permission to remain there on a new visa). You would only ever need to apply for 'leave to remain' if your Tier 2 visa expired and you needed to renew it, or if you were switching from a Tier 2 visa to a different type of visa while you were living in the UK.

So, in terms of your Tier 2 visa, you will apply for it in the US (along with any dependent visas), you can pay $150 per application for 48-hour processing (purchased from the Worldbridge website), and then when it has been issued, you move to the UK... that's it.

I also resided in the UK with a work permit and never did an application for 'entry clearance'. I received the work permit information from my employer, took it to the consulate along with my visa application, and received the visa in my passport. There was only one application process.