Working in the UK: Tier 1 (General)

The Tier 1 (General) route (previously known as the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme) was closed for new applicants on 6th April 2011. However, those holding leave to remain in the UK as Tier 1 (General) Migrants or as highly skilled migrants are eligible to extend their stay and apply for settlement after five years.

We assist Tier 1 (General) migrants with applications for extension of stay and settlement (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK.  We offer comprehensive document checking service, full preparation of the application and service to the Home Office either by post or in person to the Public Enquiry Office in Croydon for same day consideration.

The requirements for extension of a Tier 1 (General) visa are roughly matched to the requirements that were in place at the time of the original application.  Thus, there are two streams of applicants for extension: those who applied before 6 April 2010 and those who applied after this date. The first group  must score 75 points, and the second group – 80 points. Points will be scored for Age, Qualifications, Earnings and UK experience – exactly the same as at the time of their original application.  Age points are scored as at the date of the original application: thus, if you were 26 when you first applied three years ago, you still score 20 points when you apply for extension of stay.

For the first group, with original applications pre-dating April 6, 2010, the required 75 points are scored in the following fashion:

Age: maximum 20 points

Qualification: maximum 50 points

(Applicants who originally applied for a Tier 1 (General) visa between 31 March 2009 and 5 April 2010 would have not less than Master’s degree and will not score points for Bachelor’s degree)

Previous earnings: maximum 45 points

Points are awarded for earnings during a continuous 12 month period within the last 15 months before the application:

*An applicant will not score any points for previous earnings below £20,000 if given permission to enter the UK between 31 March 2009 and 5 April 2010 under Tier 1 General

UK experience: maximum 5 points

These points are scored where £16,000 or more of claimed earnings were made in the UK

The table below summarises minimum earning requirements for those whose original Tier 1 (General) applications were made before April 6, 2010. The required earnings are matched to qualifications and age on assumption that the applicant scores 5 points for UK experience:

*An applicant will not score any points for a bachelor’s degree if given permission between 31 March 2009 and 5 April 2010 to enter the UK under Tier 1 General.
**An applicant will not score any points for previous earnings below £20,000 if given permission to enter the UK between 31 March 2009 and 5 April 2010 under Tier 1 General.

For the second group of applicants with original Tier 1 (General) application made after 6 April 2010, the requirement is 80 points scored for Age, Qualifications, Earnings and UK Experience (same as at the time of their initial application):

Age: maximum 20 points

Qualification: maximum 50 points

Previous earnings: maximum 80 points

Points are awarded for earnings during a continuous 12 month period within the last 15 months before the application:

UK experience: maximum 5 points

These points are scored where £25,000 or more of claimed earnings were made in the UK

In addition to the above, all applicants have to score 10 points for maintenance.  Main applicants will meet this requirement by maintaining a balance of at least £800 in their bank account for at least 90 days prior to the application.  An additional £533 has to be held for each dependant for the same period.

The English language requirement has remained without change, and those who had met it first time will score the required points.

Self-employed earners will only be able to rely on net income which has to be corroborated by evidence from at least two independent sources, such as by the HMRC and through bank statements. Applicants should pay their national insurance contributions for the period in question and must be registered as self-employed with the HMRC.

• Tier 1 (General) Policy Guidance Document, February 2012