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Tier 1 General - Highly Skilled Workers in the UK and India

Who is eligible for Tier 1 General Skilled Migration?

Currently, there are two groups of people who are eligible for Tier 1 General Skilled Migration.  These are:

Skilled Workers who are currently in the UK

Workers who are already in the UK and want to extend their stay can now apply for the Tier 1 (General) - Highly Skilled Worker immigration system. This includes:

• People currently in the UK on Student visas and Work Permits who want extend their stay in the UK under the Tier 1 system;
• People currently in the UK on an HSMP visa who want to extend their stay in the UK under the Tier 1 system; and
• People already in the UK through the Tier 1 system who want to extend their stay on the same visa.

Skilled Workers who are in India

Workers in India and are hoping to migrate to the UK are also eligible for Tier 1 General Skilled Migration.

Please note: Tier 1 General Skilled Migration will be rolled out to the rest of the world in the summer of 2008.

Tier 1 General Requirements

Tier 1 applicants must score 95 points in the points test. Learn more at the Tier 1 basic requirements page.

Do you qualify under Tier 1?  Take the online assessment.

Tier 1 Basic Conditions

Tier 1 visa holders can stay in the UK to work as an employee or be self-employed. There is no need for sponsorship by family or employer. A Tier one visa allows successful applicants to live in the UK without work restrictions.

Successful Tier 1 applicants are given 3 years to live and work in the UK. After this, applicants can then apply for a further 2 year extension.

After 5 years Tier 1 migrants are eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

The UK Visa Bureau reccommends speaking to a migration consultant to help prepare you for your application.

 Find out if you qualify as a Tier 1 General Skilled Worker.

Points Test

Points are awarded to Tier 1 applicants based on:

• Qualifications
• Age
• Past Earnings
• UK Work Experience
• UK Qualifications
• English Language Ability
• Financial resoruces availible for settlement

You can learn more about the UK's points test for skilled migrants at our Immigration Points Test page.

 Click here to see if you meet the points requirement and are eligible for UK immigration on the HSMP visa.