Tier 1 visas – Highly Skilled Migrants

The first tier of the points based UK immigration service directly replaces the existing Highly Skilled Migrant Programme or HSMP and is designed for UK visa applications from candidates who can bring desirable professional skills, qualifications and experience to the United Kingdom. Applying for the first tier visa service is an applicant led process and works on a similar premise to the Highly Skilled Migrant Program as it removes the need to apply for a UK work permit visa and affords successful candidates the right to immigrate to the UK with full and free access to the employment market. Holders of tier visas at this level are permitted to live and work in the UK, seek and undertake employment, set up a business or become self employed as they see fit.

As a specialist UK immigration consultancy, we can offer a full UK visa service to cater for all tiers of the new system. Our immigration consultants can help you to determine which of the new UK visas is most appropriate for your relocation to the UK and can assist you at every stage from immigration lawyer advice on your initial application through to providing a comprehensive package of on arrival services to help you adjust to living and working in the UK.

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Benefits:

Like the outgoing HSMP immigration services, the tier 1 visa immigration service does not require candidates to be in possession of UK work permits in order to enter the UK. Candidates may apply for themselves and will be assessed against a points system based upon a number of criteria. In addition, along with tier 2 visas, the first tier provides a route to settlement and unlike tier 3 visas, tier 4 visas and tier 5 visas, the option to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or permanent residency in the UK will be provided.

The way in which a permanent residence option will function within the new system is yet to be finalized, but it is likely that a candidate’s performance within the initial two-year period will be taken into account. It is anticipated that the most successful candidates may be able to progress to settlement at the end of the two-year period leading to the opportunity to undertake British naturalization as a UK citizen.

Points Based Assessment:

As with the HSMP system, the required number of points to qualify for a tier one visa will be 75. Although the points system is yet to be confirmed, the table below gives the most up to date estimation of how it will function.

Age:

  1. Candidates aged 30 - 31 = 5 points
  2. Candidates aged 28 - 29 = 10 points
  3. Candidates aged 27 or under = 20 points

Qualifications:

  1. Candidates with a PHD = 50 points
  2. Candidates with a Masters Degree = 35 points
  3. Candidates with a Bachelors Degree = 30 points

(In cases where qualifications were gained in Britain, 5 bonus points may be added).

Previous earnings:

(Figures will be weighted to take account of the country in which they were earned to determine a United Kingdom equivalent value)

  • 40,000 + = 45 points
  • 35,000-40,000 = 40 points
  • 32,000-35,000 = 35 points
  • 29,000-32,000 = 30 points
  • 26,000-29,000 = 25 points
  • 23,000-26,000 = 20 points
  • 20,000-23,000 = 15 points
  • 18,000-20,000 = 10 points
  • 16,000-18,000 = 5 points

The points system is designed to allow a wider variety of candidates to reach the threshold based upon performance in the different areas of assessment. Whilst an older candidate may lose points in terms of age, the balance may be recouped through points amassed for their previous earnings. Alternatively, a younger candidate without an established career may not yet command high earnings but may be able to reach the threshold based upon qualifications and age.

The new system aims, like similar models in Australia and Canada to allow migrants and employers to benefit from a system which considers potential earnings rather than past earnings alone. In addition to the points system outlined above, candidates will also be required to be proficient in the English Language.

Dependants:

Under the new system, spouse immigration and dependant immigration visas will be provided allowing an applicant to bring their husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner to join them in Britain. Provisions for family immigration under the new system will function in a similar manner to a UK Dependency Visa. However, the existing marriage visa, unmarried partner visa and fiance visa services will persist outside the tier system.