THIS INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR POSITIONS AS DOCTORS, DENTISTS AND ENGINEERS ONLY.
Tier 1 (General) is a points-based immigration scheme, which allows highly skilled migrant workers to come to the UK in order to live and work. Tier 1 (General) replaces the old Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), which is being closed down in gradual stages. As of April 1st 2008, all highly skilled migrants (such as doctors, dentists, nurses and engineers) wishing to enter the UK from India must apply via this method.
Individuals entering the UK under this scheme do not need to have a job offer and can change their employment at any time when in the UK.
Tier 1 (General) Visas are initially granted for 3 years. Following this, applicants may extend their leave for a period of up to 2 years, subject to satisfying the requirements of Tier 1 at the time of the application. A Tier 1 (General) visa is followed by Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, leading to an eventual grant of British citizenship.
Outline of the process
Your eligibility for the Tier 1 (General) scheme is assessed via a points based system (PBS) which takes into account educational qualifications, age, previous experience in the UK and previous earnings. In order to qualify a candidate must score a minimum of 75 points.
In addition to this points requirement, a candidate must also show that they have suitable language skills and available funds.
Below is a brief explanation concerning these requirements, however if you would like to simply send your CV, our experts will do an assessment on the basis of all the relevant criteria for you - entirely free of charge - and send you the results showing your eligibility. This method unlike the ‘Points Calculators’ used by others, enables your application to be carefully and personally considered by our team of experts and allows the factoring in of any additional information which our clients may wish to have considered.
English Language Requirement
Candidates need to demonstrate that they reach the necessary English language requirement to qualify under Tier 1 (General). This may be shown in one of the following ways:
- That you have passed a test in English equivalent to level C1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language Learning (equivalent to a grade C or better at GCSE or an approximate overall band score of 6.5 on an IELTS exam)
- That you have taken a degree taught in English from a list of select countries, verified by using the National Academic Recognition Information Centre data. The countries include Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK, the USA. Note: Canada is NOT included in this list.
- If your degree was earned in another country, information provided by UK NARIC can verify if the English-taught degree is acceptable enough to satisfy the English language requirement.
Funds
A candidate must be able to show that they have suitable funds to score the points required to be eligible for Tier 1 (General)
Funds may include money:
- savings held in a bank account
- held in a trust fund
- held in a joint bank account
- held in an overseas account (conversions to pounds sterling are calculated at the date of your bank statement)
If you are making an application to come to the UK as a highly skilled migrant worker, you need £2,800 or more in available funds plus £1600 for your first dependent and a further £800 for each subsequent dependent.
Applying for dependants
Tier 1 (General) Migrants applying from outside the United Kingdom are also able to apply for visas for their dependants, should they have any. Dependants command a separate Visa fee and are required to submit their own application form. All dependants will be granted a visa for the same time period as the main applicant (three years in the first instance).
If this is an issue which is relevant to your application please do not hesitate to notify our team when submitting your application. UK Permits and Recruitment will process the applications of any dependants you may have entirely free of charge, and will be more than happy to receive your enquiry.
What we offer
- An all-inclusive check list to enable you to collect together all the required documentation to ensure a successful application with minimum hassle and without the risk of rejection on a technicality
- A personal expert advisor assigned to your case, from whom you will receive an out of office hours number on which they will be readily available to solve any queries at any time. The advisor will not only offer comprehensive support on any issues you may have, but also send frequent emails to ensure you are both fully informed and content with proceedings
- Our legal experts will complete all parts of the relevant documentation successfully in line with governmental requirements and provide a cover letter for your application, which will smooth out and accelerate the submission and registration process.
- Before, during and after the Visa application process you will remain constantly informed via step by step guides provided by UK Permits and Recruitment on what the available, and indeed appropriate, next steps are for your individual case. Our Visa customers also benefit from discounted offers and up to date information regarding our ESA and recruitment packages.
- Free service for any additional dependants. Although additional dependents require a separate Visa fee, UK Permits and Recruitment will not charge any extra for processing these applications.
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