Tier 1 Visa - General

In December 2010 the UK government announced it would close the Tier 1 General visa to new applicants from April 6, 2011.

Existing Tier 1 Visa holders will still qualify under this category if they wish to renew their visa. 

Applications

 will continue to be accepted as long as the applicant continues to meet the eligibility requirements of the original Tier 1 visa (General) application.

Applicants who previously qualified for a Tier 1 Visa (General) can now apply under Tier 2 visas of the points-based system. Visit the Tier 2 Visas page for further information.

Visit our visa assessment form now to find out whether you qualify and to begin your application.

As well as being highly skilled, applicants may also meet eligibility for a UK Tier 1 Visa in one of the following categories:

• Tier 1 Visa - Post Study Work
• Tier 1 Visa - Entrepreneur
• Tier 1 Visa - Investor

As a specialist UK immigration consultancy helping clients to relocate to destinations all over the world, Global Visas consultants are well versed in points based immigration systems and are fully equipped to help businesses and individuals to navigate points based UK visa services.

Our specialist immigration lawyers provide expert advice for those who pursue immigration to UK and we provide a complete range of immigration compliance services to ensure that businesses are granted a licence to sponsor the professionals they need.

Eligibility

General requirements

As with all categories of Tier 1, UK visa applicants in the general stream must be able to satisfy the language and maintenance requirements.

Under the PBS, emphasis is placed upon the ability of non-EEA nationals migrating to the UK to be proficient in the English language. In Tier 1, with the exception of those entering the UK as investors, this requirement is particularly important.

Skilled migrants are required to prove their English language ability by demonstrating one of the following:

• They come from a country in which English is the main language
• They have passed an English language test which is equal to or exceeds level C1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language Learning
• They have successfully completed a Master's degree course which was taught in English

Maintenance

Highly skilled migrants relocating to the UK under any of the Tier 1 subdivisions must be able to support themselves and any dependents joining them in the UK. They must provide evidence of funds as part of their application. Take a free assessment through Global Visas to find out if you meet these requirements.

Specific requirements

Applying for a Tier 1 Visa in the general category is based on many of the same criteria as the previous Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). Taking into account the applicant's qualifications, previous earnings, age, and any work experience or qualifications earned in the UK. As with all sub divisions of Tier 1, eligibility depends on the applicants scoring the minimum number of points based on factors including 

education

 and experience. Take the free assessment to find out if you have what it takes.

Tier 1 Visa extension

Tier 1 visas are granted for an initial period of three years. The one exception to this are visas granted in the Post-Study Work category, which are granted for two years and are not extendable.

In all other subdivisions candidates may extend their leave by a further two years. However, it will be necessary to pass the version of the Tier 1 requirements that are current at the time of applying for an extension.

In the general category, the requirements will remain largely the same. However, points originally awarded for the applicant's age at the time of their first application will be carried over intact. No further evidence will be required of the applicant's English language ability.

Switching to a Tier 1 Visa

Under the Points Based System, it is possible for an applicant to switch their category if they meet the requirements of the category they intend to move to. It is also possible in some circumstance to switch to a Tier 1 category from a visa type which precedes the tier system

Candidates already in possession of a highly skilled tier visa in any sub category may switch to any other sub category apart from the Post Study Work category. Those in possession of Tier 1 visas in the post-study work category may switch to any other Tier 1 category and will be able to switch to a Tier 2 visa, or Tier 4 visa once these aspects of the PBS are in place.

Switching into Tier 1 will also be permitted for qualifying Tier 2 or Tier 4 students however, Tier 1 will not be accessible from Tier 3, Tier 5 of from candidates present in the UK on a working holiday maker visa.

Find out further information on our Tier 2 Visas page. Beginning your Tier 1 visa application is quick and easy with our online assessment form.

Tier 1 Visa - Investor

Under Tier 1 of the Points Based System (PBS), candidates may apply for UK visas under one of four subdivisions. The Investors category is designed for those who intend to make a substantial investment in the UK.

Find out if you qualify for a Tier 1 visa by visiting the Global Visas online assessment form today.

Tier 1 visas, unlike all other tiers of the UK Points Based System, do not require applicants to be awarded a 

Certificate

 of Sponsorship from a licensed sponsor.

Immigration to the UK under all other tiers requires the sponsoring business, 

college or

 other institution to be licensed as a sponsor, and to provide them with a sponsorship certificate, enabling them to apply for entry clearance.

Tier 1 replaces the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) and aims to allow the most highly skilled applicants to migrate to the UK as quickly as possible. However, while no sponsor is required applicants must reach a minimum points threshold based on a range or criteria.

General Requirements

The investor visa sub category of the five-tier immigration system does not impose the general requirement for proficiency in the English language. This requirement is mandatory for the General and Entrepreneur streams with a high level of proficiency required to pass. However, in the Investor category since applicants are unlikely to need to work, this requirement is deemed unnecessary.

Similarly, whilst the mandatory requirement that a applicant must be able to financially support both themselves and their dependents is a feature of the other Tier 1 -visa sub categories, it does not apply to the Investor category.

By definition those investing sufficient funds to pass the requirements do not need to undergo a maintenance test.

Specific Requirements

As with all categories of Tier 1, the Investor category requires candidates to meet or exceed the minimum points requirements based on various factors.

However, unlike other subdivisions of Tier 1, for example the General category in which points are accumulated over a range of criteria, the points-based pass mark for the investor scheme must be satisfied by one of the following:

• The candidate has a minimum of £1 million. The money must be their own and must be held in a regulated UK financial institution. The money must also be disposable in the United Kingdom.
• The candidate has personal assets to the value of more than £2 million taking into account any liabilities.
• The candidate has an amount of no less than £1 million, which is under their control and is held in a regulated UK financial institution. This may include money which has been loaned to them if the financial institution providing the loan is regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Settlement

Regular Tier 1 Investor visa holders in the UK can apply for permanent residence after five years in the country, however more significant investments could lead to fast-tracked settlement. Those who invest £10 million or more may qualify after two years, while investments over £5 million will qualify after three years.

Extending a Tier 1 Visa

A Tier 1 immigration visa for the UK may be extended in all categories except the Post-

Study

Work category. Unlike the others, the Post-Study Work category is designed as a temporary bridge between study and employment and is granted for two years with no option to extend this period.

Tier 1 visas in the Investor category, the General category and the Entrepreneur category are all granted for an initial period of three years, which can be extended by another two years. When applying for an extension, applicants will be assessed against a differing set of criteria.

Unlike the initial set of criteria, Investor visa holders must accrue the 75 point pass mark over the following list of requirements:

The applicant must have either of the following:

• A minimum of £1 million of their own money in the UK
• Personal Assets with a value exceeding £2 million taking account of liabilities
• Money under their control which amounts to no less than £1 million. This may include loaned money from a provider who is regulated by the FSA.

In addition candidates must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• They must have invested a minimum of £750,000 in the UK. This must have been invested by way of either UK Government bonds or share capital or investment capital in active UK companies. This does not include companies whose main activities are property investment. Investment cannot be interpreted as placing deposits in a bank or building society.
• The investment outlined above must have been made within 3 months of gaining the tier one visa and must be maintained throughout the duration of the visa.

Switching to a Tier 1 Visa

Tier 1 visa holders may switch into another sub category if they satisfy the associated requirements. The one exception is that visa holders cannot switch into the Post-Study Work category. Holders of visas in Tier 2 and Tier 4 will also be able to switch into Tier 1 as the PBS is fully implemented. However switching to tier 1 will not be allowed for holders of working holidaymaker visas or those in possession of tier 3 and tier 5 visas.

You may also find our guide to Tier 1 post study work helpful.

Tier 1 Visa - Entrepreneur

As with the other categories of the Tier 1 UK visa, candidates applying as entrepreneurs do not need to have a sponsor in place. However, applicants must still meet a range of specific criteria.  Many poeple who lke this also viewed Tier 1 Investor information.

Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa UK Requirements

Eligibility criteria for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa require that the applicant has set up or taken over a British business. Individuals can make an application both within and outside the United Kingdom.

The initial investment can be as little as £50,000 if the funding was provided by a venture capitalist, a Government Department or a seed competition. Up to two business partners may apply for UK visas on the basis of this funding.

Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa applicants who don’t meet this requirement may still apply with an investment of £200,000 or more.

Fast-track to settlement

In order to encourage more business activity in Britain, UK immigration authorities offer entrepreneurs a fast-track to permanent settlement. This is available to anyone who can either create 10 jobs or turn over more than £5 million in a three-year period. The fast-track initiative will allow entrepreneurs to permanently settle in the UK in as little as three years.

UK Tier 1 Visa - Exceptional Talent

Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa UK Requirements

Unlike other of UK work permit, the UK Exceptional Talent visa does not require a job offer or employer sponsorship to qualify. Instead, the applicant will be individually assessed according to their skills and talent in the fields of science, humanities, social science, engineering or the arts.

To qualify, the applicant must have recognition – or have the potential to receive recognition – as a leader in the fields of science, arts and humanities. This must be backed up by an endorsement from an 

accredited

 competent body in their field.

To be eligible, applicants must be recommended by one of the following bodies:

• The Royal Society (science)
• Arts Council of England
• Royal Academy of Engineering
• The British Academy (humanities and social sciences)

Take the free assessment to find out if you have the exceptional talent to apply for this category of UK Tier 1 visa.

Duration

Initial Exceptional Talent Visas will be granted for a period of three years and four months. This may be extended for a further two years, and after five years the applicant can apply for permanent residence.

Limitations

The number of visas granted under all categories of Tier 1 will be limited to just 1,000 each year. 

Applications

 will generally be processed on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so it is vital that you make your application as quickly as possible.

UK Tier 1

Tier 1 of the Points Based System directly replaces the previous Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP UK) and like its predecessor, it is designed to facilitate the relocation of skilled migrants to the UK.

About Tier 1 immigration

UK Tier 1 visas are designed to attract what the Home Office refer to as the 'brightest and best' of potential UK immigration candidates. Unlike tier 2 visas, which also apply to those moving to the UK for long-term business or employment purposes.

Tier 1 visas do not require an offer of employment to be in place. As a result, the requirements of the tier 1 assessment are consistent with selecting the most highly skilled applicants. Find out if you have the skills to qualify using the free assessment tool.

Under Tier 1 - Applicants may apply through one of the following categories:

Exceptional Talent

This category of Tier 1 UK Visa is designed to attract talented and skilled individuals to the UK. Judged on a case-by-case basis, applicants must prove that they are recognised as world leaders in their field of expertise. Take the free assessment to find out if you meet these requirements.  You may also like to visit UK Work Permit information.

You may want to find out more about this in our Tier 1 Exceptional talent page.

General

The General category applies to highly skilled candidates wishing to enter the UK in order to seek and undertake employment. The program is now discontinued, however existing UK Tier 1 Visa holders will still be permitted to renew or extend the visa. Applicants who previously qualified for Tier 1 are now eligible for Tier 2 Visas.

Entrepreneurs

Applicants for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa will be investing in the UK economy by starting or assuming control of a business. Candidates must also be involved in the day-to-day running of the enterprise concerned.

Investors

The Investor stream of Tier 1 is aimed at individuals making a substantial investment in the UK.

Discontinued programs replaced by Tier 1 Visa UK

Tier 1 of the PBS replaces eight immigration categories from the previous system and replaces them with four new subdivisions. With the exception of the Post-Study Work category, time spent in the UK will count towards the minimum residency requirement of five years for permanent settlement in the UK.

Outgoing UK Immigration Services

• Business persons
• Fresh talent: Working in Scotland Scheme
• Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
• Investors
• International Graduates Scheme
• Innovators
• Self Employed Lawyers
• Writers, Composers and Artists

Tier 1 Visa assessment

As with the previous HSMP, tier 1 visa 

applications

 for the UK will be assessed on a range of criteria. In sub-categories of tier 1, candidates will be assessed against a specific group of requirements. However, the following general requirements will apply to all streams:

• English Language Proficiency - The PBS places emphasis upon competence in the English Language, especially in tier 1.
• Self - Sufficiency - All migrants in tier 1 must be able to support both themselves and any dependent family members.

Applying for a Tier 1 visa

Unlike the other tiers of the PBS, tier 1 visa applications do not need a sponsor to be in place. The tier 1 visa application will be a single process whether initiated from inside or outside the UK and applicants will need to submit a range of supporting documentation in order to substantiate their application. Candidates may apply for a tier 1 visa either to enter the UK, extend a stay, or switch whilst already in the UK.

Tier 1 spouse immigration and dependent immigration

Since tier 1 immigration is designed for skilled migrants immigrating to the UK for a long-term to permanent stay, a successful applicant may bring their dependants, including their spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and/or children with them. However, the main applicant must demonstrate their ability to support and maintain their dependents in the UK.

These dependents will be eligible work, however, if they wish to be in the UK in their own right i.e. rather than as a dependent, they will need to leave the UK in order to apply.

Our online assessment forms make it easy to get your application moving. Simply answer a few straight forward questions and a Global Visas immigration consultant will contact you. Find out further information on our Tier 1 Visa - Exceptional Talent page.