UK Skilled Immigration (Tier – 1)
From 23rd Dec, 2010: This visa category has been closed for further application.
Formerly known as Highly Skilled Migrant Program – HSMP, Tier – 1 general migrant visa allows skilled personnels and entrepreneurs to migrate to United Kingdom even with out having job offer. Each applicant is evaluated on a point based system. Points are awarded for specific factors which are set by immigration department.
How many points you need?
All applicants who are outside UK or currently living in UK under any visa category other than old HSMP, will need 100 points to qualify for this visa, however applicants living in UK under HSMP visa will need 95 points to qualify.
Points awarded for applicant’s age are given below. Following two table explains points for applicants making fresh applications and applicants asking for extension respectively;
| Fresh Applicants’ Age Groups | Points |
|---|---|
| Under 29 years | 20 |
| 30 to 34 years | 10 |
| 35 to 39 years | 05 |
| 40 years or over | 0 |
| Extension Applicants’ Age Groups | Points |
|---|---|
| Under 31 | 20 |
| 31 to 32 years | 10 |
| 33 to 34 years | 05 |
| 35 years or over | 0 |
Maximum points for academic qualifications are 80. Points will only be awarded if your bachelor, master or doctorate degree is equivalent to UK qualification frame work and is accredited by National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC). UK NARIC is official organization who provide qualifications assessment services as per equivalence of the British qualifications.
| Qualification | Points |
|---|---|
| PHD | 45 |
| Masters | 35 |
| Bachelor degree | 30 |
| Eligible MBA Programs – Applicants who enrolled on one of the top 50 MBA programs before 30 June 2008. Further on application must be made with in one year of completion of MBA program. | 80 |
Points are awarded for previous earnings. You may claim earning for last 12 month with in 15 months before th date of your application. Earning bands are set as per local currency of the applicant’s country and other exchange factors.
How to calculate your earnings?
- Calculate your total income (in pounds) during last 12 months
- Multiply it with 5.3 (Applicants from South Asia)
- Check the respective earning band in table below;
| Previous Earnings | Points |
|---|---|
| £ 150,000 or above | 75 |
| £ 75,000-£ 149,999 | 45 |
| £ 65,000 – £ 74,999 | 40 |
| £ 55,000 – £ 64,999 | 35 |
| £ 50,000 – £ 54,999 | 30 |
| £ 40,000 – £ 49,999 | 25 |
| £ 35,000 – £ 39,999 | 20 |
| £ 30,000 – £ 34,999 | 15 |
| £ 25,000 – £ 29,999 | 05 |
| Under £ 25,000 | 0 |
- You have UK work experience and have earned points for minimum GBP 25000/ for your earnings in UK; or
- You have studies and completed an academic degree from UK during last five years, degree must be accredited by UK NARIC.
You must score 10 points for your language proficiency in any of the following ways, otherwise your application will be refused.
| English Language | Points |
|---|---|
| be a national of a majority English speaking country on the following list – Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Christopher (Kitts) and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States of America | 10 |
| hold one of these approved English proficiency tests
IELTS 6.0 band score, TOEFL i-based 110-120 scores |
10 |
| Have completed a degree in English language which must be in UK NARIC database | 10 |
You must held GBP 2800/ for you and GBP 1600/ for each dependent in your personal account for at least 3 months before your application.
Note: This is a separate requirement, you should not mix it with the previous earning amount.
Application Fee
Application fee for Tier – 1 application is GBP 690/ per applicant.
Where to submit application?
Click here to find visa centers in your area.