UK Immigration

Tier1 visa (General)

Highly skilled workers, investors and entrepreneurs

This section contains details of the routes available to highly skilled workers, investors and entrepreneurs wanting to work in the United Kingdom. You should read the eligibility requirements for your category in full before making an application.

On 29 June 2008, several former immigration categories closed. If you currently have permission to stay in the United Kingdom under one of those categories and want to extend your stay you will need to apply under one of the categories belowextend your stay you will need to apply under one of the categories below.

Highly skilled workers: For applying under the Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system. You do not need to have a specific job offer but will need to demonstrate you are highly skilled, have money to support yourself and are able to speak English.

Entrepreneurs: For applying under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) of the points-based system. If you want to come to the United Kingdom as an entrepreneur there are specific arrangements for you.

Investors: For applying under Tier 1 (Investor) of the points-based system. If you want to invest in the United Kingdom you will need to demonstrate that you have the money to do so.

Post-study workers: This explains how you can come to the United Kingdom or remain here as a post-study worker (Tier 1 Post-study work) under our points-based system to work in the United Kingdom. If you graduated from a university in the United Kingdom, you can apply to stay in the United Kingdom to work once you have completed your studies.

Unlike sponsored skilled workers (who are covered by tier 2 of the points-based system), you do not need a job offer to apply 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 (money).

You can apply under the highly skilled worker category now if you are:

1. already 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;
2. already in the United Kingdom as a highly skilled worker and you want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category;
3. already in the United Kingdom under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), you want to extend your permission to stay and you are eligible to switch into the highly skilled worker category; or
outside the United Kingdom and you are eligible to apply for permission to enter (known as 'entry clearance') under the highly skilled worker category.

Highly skilled Tier 1 migrants do not require a job offer and thus do not require sponsorship.

Nationalities Don't Matter

For those already in the UK, there is no difference in the points earned for salary whether you are an Australian, Canadian, American or Indian national.

The elimination of categories such as work experience and significant achievements gives a much clearer outline to determine eligibility as it leaves much less discretionary power in the hands of the case examiner.

And by judging on quantitative criteria, the chances of fraudulent documentation decreases significantly - one of the main reasons for implementing such changes.

Eligible for Permanent Residency

Once an individual has remained in the UK for a total of five years under this category, they will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.

Time spent in the UK as a work permit holder or under one of the business categories can also be aggregated towards the five year period.