United Kingdom - Work Skills & Ancestry - Highly Skilled Migrant Permit (HSMP Tier 1)

This Highly Skilled (Tier 1) work visa used to be known as the Highly Skilled Migrant Program Visa (or HSMP). The Tier 1 Highly Skilled visa is aimed at individuals who

• have high earnings,
• are highly educated; and
• are still relatively young.

It is a points-based system, and does not rely on having a job offer from a UK-based employer. Time spent on this Tier 1 Highly Skilled visa counts towards residency and nationality.

NOTE - this visa category is now closed.

It is possible to get an extension to this visa for those that currently hold this status. Fast Track Same Day extensions are available for this visa class:

 Click here for more information on the Fast Track Same Day service

TIER 1 (GENERAL) VISA BASIC REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for migration under the Tier 1 (General) category, you must be able to satisfy the basic visa requirements related to your age, English language ability, qualification, previous earnings, UK experience and available maintenance (funds). These attributes will be assessed in a points test and you must obtain at least 10 points for each of English language ability and maintenance (funds); AND a minimum of 80 points for the other attributes.

The point allocation is configured such that applicants should hold a recognised qualification to meet the minimum requirements, unless they have significant previous earnings.

1. AGE

The points awarded for an initial application as a highly skilled worker: You can score UP TO 20 points for your age if you are under 39 years old on the date of your application. The points awarded are:

• Under 30 years old - 20 points
• 30 to 34 years old - 10 points
• 35 or 39 years old - 5 points

2. QUALIFICATIONS

Points are awarded for the following qualifications:

• PhD - 45 points
• Masters Degree - 35 points
• Bachelors Degree - 30 points

3. PREVIOUS EARNINGS

The following points are awarded for "previous earnings" (being a continuous 12 month period within the last 15 months at the time of application), the first table being for initial applications and the second being for extension only:

INITIAL APPLICATIONS

• £25,000 to £29,999 - 5 points
• £30,000 to £34,999 - 15 points
• £35,000 to £39,999 - 20 points
• £40,000 to £49,999 - 25 points
• £50,000 to £54,999 - 30 points
• £55,000 to £64,999 - 35 points
• £65,000 to £74,999 - 40 points
• £75,000 to £149,999 - 45 points
• £150,000 or above - 80 points

Only actual earnings will be considered, and earnings claimed on a pro rata basis will not count. For example, if you have worked part-time, you cannot try to claim for what you might have earned if it was full-time work. As a point of interest, prize money directly related to your occupation can also be included as earnings. For example, an academic awarded a cash prize can include this amount for consideration. Earnings will not be taken into account if you were in breach of the immigration laws when you made the earnings.

Converting your earnings into pounds sterling (GBP)

Earnings made overseas must be converted into pounds sterling. The exchange rate used is the one produced by OANDA (an approved currency converter).

How overseas earnings are adjusted

To reflect differences in income levels across the world, the income level required to score points varies depending on where you were working at the time you earned the money. A series of calculations is used (known as uplift ratios) to bring overseas salaries in line with your United Kingdom equivalents. The level of uplift depends on the average income in the country in which the earnings were made. As an example, the uplift ratios for the following countries are:

• Australia - no uplift
• New Zealand - multiplied by 2.3 (after currency conversion to GBP)
• Canada - no uplift
• South Africa - multiplied by 3.2 (after currency conversion to GBP)
• India - multiplied by 5.3 (after currency conversion to GBP)

4. UK EXPERIENCE

For an initial application, you can score five points for United Kingdom experience if:

• you have successfully scored points under previous earnings and those earnings were made in the United Kingdom; or
• you have been in full-time study in the United Kingdom for at least one full academic year, and have been awarded a qualification at bachelor's degree level or above. The qualification should have been awarded within the last five years.

You should note that:

• points for United Kingdom experience will only be awarded for either qualifications obtained in the United Kingdom or previous earnings in the United Kingdom but not both;
• previous earnings are not taken into account in awarding points for United Kingdom experience if you were in breach of the immigration laws when you earned the money.

5. ENGLISH LANGUAGE

A mandatory 10 points is awarded if your level of English is deemed of an acceptable level. There are three ways that you can score points for English language. You can:

• be a national of a majority English speaking country (they are Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United States of America); OR
• pass an English language test on the list of approved English language tests; OR
• hold a degree that was taught in English and is equivalent to a United Kingdom bachelor's degree or above.

You can also meet the English language requirement and score points without having to send further evidence if:

• you have been given permission to stay in the past under the highly skilled worker or entrepreneur categories of tier 1;
• you were given permission to stay under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme after 7 November 2006; OR
• you were given permission to stay in the past under Tier 2 (and have already given us your evidence that you meet the English language requirement) and are applying to extend your stay

6. MAINTENANCE OR FUNDS

You will earn 10 points if you can show that you have enough funds in personal savings and are able to support yourself for the entire length of your stay in the United Kingdom. The 10 points will be awarded if you

• are applying for permission to stay in the United Kingdom (known as 'leave to remain') AND have £800 in available funds that you have had in your bank account for three months before the date you apply.
• If you are applying from outside of the UK, then this requirement increases to £2,800. Any dependants who want to join you must also give evidence that they have enough funds.

TIER 1 (GENERAL) VISA ENTITLEMENTS

Successful applicants are granted temporary residence under the Tier 1 (General) visa and are allowed to live and work or set up a business in the UK without any restrictions. As a temporary resident, successful applicants will have free access to public schools, and subsidised tertiary education for their dependants. Eligible dependants may also be able to work or study without any restrictions.

A Work visa under Tier 1 (General) is initially granted for two (2) years with the ability to apply for further stay and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR entitles individuals to permanent residency in the UK. Permanent residents may also be eligible to sponsor their family for migration to the UK and apply for British citizenship.