UK Immigration Law - Tier 1 - Highly skilled

The highly skilled worker category is designed to allow highly skilled people to come to the United Kingdom to look for work or self-employment opportunities.

 
 Who can apply as a highly skilled worker?
Unlike a work permit (sponsored skilled workers - tier 2), UK Immigration law does not require you to have a job offer to apply for entrance to the UK under the highly skilled worker category. When you apply you are awarded points based on your qualifications, previous earnings, United Kingdom experience, age, English language skills, and available maintenance (funds).
 
You can apply under the highly skilled worker category now if you are:
  • in the United Kingdom with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in an immigration category that allows you to switch into the highly skilled worker category;
  • already in the United Kingdom as a highly skilled worker and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category;
  • already in the United Kingdom under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, want to extend your permission to stay and are eligible to switch into the highly skilled worker category;
  • applying for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the highly skilled worker category.
  • What points you have to score to apply as a highly skilled worker
To apply under the points-based system and be accepted into the highly skilled worker category, you must pass a points-based assessment you must score:
  • 75 points for your attributes (age, qualifications, previous earnings, and experience in the United Kingdom); and
  • 10 points for English language; and
  • 10 points for available maintenance (funds).
If you do not score a minimum of 75 points for your attributes and 10 points for English language and 10 points for available maintenance (funds), your application will be refused.
 
How dependants can come to the United Kingdom
If your application to the points-based system is successful, you are allowed to bring dependants (children under 18 years of age, or your husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried or same-sex partner) with you to the United Kingdom, as long as they have entry clearance or permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain').
 
Do I need to apply for entry clearance?
In-country applications - If you are currently in the UK in an immigration category which allows you to change your immigration status to a Tier 1 (General) permit holder, you will not be required to return to your home country in order to apply for entry clearance at the British High Commission.
 
Out-of-country applications
If you are currently in the UK in an immigration category which does not allow you to change your immigration status to a Tier 1 (General) permit holder from within the UK, or if you are not currently in the UK, you will be required to return to your home country in order to lodge the full Tier 1 (General) permit application to the British High Commission. You will not be required to apply for entry clearance, separately from your Tier 1 (General) permit.

 

Rules and Restrictions on the Tier 1 (General) permit holder

  • You have no work restrictions imposed on your stay in the UK.
  • You do not have recourse to public funds.
  • You will at first obtain permission to stay in the UK for three years to seek work or self-employment opportunities. After three years you can apply for an extension which will be granted if the UK Home Office is satisfied that you meet the requirements for the Tier 1 (General) extension application.
  • You are allowed to apply to bring your dependants to the UK on this programme.
  • You cannot work as a Doctor in training – i.e. take a training post within the NHS
Fixed Fee Interview

Our immigration law department offer a fixed fee interview with an Immigration Law Solicitor for 30 minutes.  To discuss your immigration application further or to obtain simple and straight forward advice as to the likely merits of your application, contact our immigration law expert immigrationlaw@wellerslawgroup.com or, 'phone 0208 290 7993.

The nominal fee of £80 plus VAT required for this will be deducted from the final charge you will pay, if you use our service within three months of this enquiry.

 

 

Wellers Law Group LLP in Bromley, Kent (part of the Wellers Law Group) - areas covered - Beckenham,Chislehurst,Croydon,Crystal Palace,Hayes,Kent,Keston,Orpington,Penge,Petts Wood,Sidcup,Kent,Tunbridge Wells,Sevenoaks

Cooke Matheson Solicitors in Gray's Inn, London(part of the Wellers Law Group) - areas covered - London - City, Westminster, Gray's Inn, Chelsea, Fulham, Wimbledon, Surrey

 
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