TIER 1 OF THE NEW POINTS BASED SCHEME FOR HIGHLY SKILLED MIGRANTS

The 4 subcategories of Tier 1 are:

  • Exceptional talent
  • Entrepreneurs 
  • Investors 
  • Post-Study Work
  • General

TIER 1 (Entrepreneurs)

 Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) is for non-European migrants who want to invest in the UK by setting up or taking over, and being actively involved in the running of, 1 or more businesses here.  Tier 1 (Entrepreneurs) is granted initially for 3 years.

Requirements:

1. 75 points for the fund. You need to have minmum £200,000 in your bank2.

2. 10 points for English Requirements

3. 10 points for Maintenance funds.

TIER 1 ( Investor)

The Tier 1 (Investor) category is for high-net-worth individuals who want to make a substantial financial investment in the UK.  Tier 1 (Investor) is granted initial for 3 years.

You do not need a job offer to apply in this category. UKBA will assess your application based on your ability to invest £1 Million, £5 Millions or 10 Millions in the UK.

Requirements:

1. 75 points for attributes (Appendix A of the Immigration Rules).

TIER 1(Post-Study Work)

Students who have completed a course of study in the UK may be eligible for Visas in the Post-Study Work subcategory.

The Visa lasts for 2 years and cannot be extended, although it is possible to switch into other immigration categories before the expiry of the Visa. A student may be eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa if they score 75 points in this category and meet the maintenance criteria.

A successful Post-Study Work Visa applicant is deemed to have met the English criteria.

20 points are awarded if the student has obtained one of the qualifications listed below:

  • A UK recognised degree at Bachelor level; or
  • A UK recognised degree at Postgraduate level; or
  • A UK Postgraduate certificate or Diploma; or
  • An HND from a Scottish institution.

20 points are awarded if the studies were undertaken at a UK institution that is either:

  •  A UK recognised or listed body; or
  • On the Tier 4 sponsors register which will be implemented in future.

20 points are awarded if the qualification was obtained in the UK while studying with leave as a:

  • Student; or
  • Dependant of someone with valid leave in an immigration category permitting the bringing in of dependants.

15 points will be awarded if the application is submitted within 12 months of obtaining the qualification.

English Criteria

Most Tier 1 migrants will need to pass the English criteria and will need to prove that they:

  • 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 above at GCSE), or
  • Come from a listed majority English speaking country, or
  • Have taken a degree taught in English (verified using National Academic Recognition Information Centre data).

List of majority English speaking countries:-

Antigua and Barbuda.

Australia, New Zealand

The Bahamas, Barbados.

Belize.

Canada.

Dominica, Grenada, Guyana.

Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Trinidad and Tobago.

USA.

Maintenance funds required for Tier 1 migrants:

  • Applicant in UK: £800 In country dependants: £533
  • Applicant out of UK: £2,800 Out of country dependants: £1,600

All Tier 1 migrants, Post-Study Work excepted, will normally be given initial leave for 3 years and will be able to apply for an extension of 2 years. Post-Study Work will be a 2 year Visa maximum, after which the migrant is expected to switch into another category. Post-Study Work will not count towards time spent in the UK for a settlement application.