Jump to content

Highly Skilled Migrant Programme

Highly skilled migrant worker

The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) is designed to allow highly skilled people to come to the United Kingdom to look for work or self-employment opportunities.

The HSMP will undergo a phased closure in 2008. As part of this process, initial HSMP applications should only be made by people outside the United Kingdom. Anyone in the United Kingdom on the HSMP or planning to apply under the HSMP should apply for permission to stay in the United Kingdom under Tier 1 (General) of the new points-based system.

If you are in the United Kingdom and make an application to the HSMP now, it will be rejected. However, if you made your application before 29 February 2008, it will be processed as normal and, if you meet the requirements, you will receive an HSMP approval letter.

If you are in the United Kingdom and have already been granted an approval under the HSMP, you can use your approval letter to apply for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom under Tier 1 (General). For further details see the Transitional arrangements for HSMP page. This applies only if you are in the United Kingdom in a category that is allowed to switch into Tier 1 (General). For example, working holidaymakers cannot apply to switch into Tier 1 (General) while they are in the United Kingdom even if they already have an HSMP approval letter. See the Initial applications page for details of which categories you can switch from.

If you already have an HSMP approval letter, you can also use it in your home country, to apply for permission to come to the United Kingdom (known as entry clearance) under either the HSMP or Tier 1 (General), depending on when we close the HSMP in your country (see below). If you have an HSMP approval letter but are not in a category that can switch into Tier 1 (General) while still in the United Kingdom, you can return to your home country and apply for entry clearance under the HSMP or Tier 1 from there. An HSMP approval letter is valid for six months. For further details see the transitional arrangements for HSMP page.

If you are already in the United Kingdom under the HSMP, you should transfer into Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system when your initial permission to work in the United Kingdom ends.

The next phase of this process will affect applicants in India. If you are in India, you will be able to make an application for an HSMP approval letter up to and including 31 March 2008. From 1 April 2008 applicants in India should not apply under the HSMP. From this date, anyone in India wishing to come to the United Kingdom as a highly skilled migrant should apply under Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system.

If you are in a country other than India, you will be able to make an application to the HSMP up to the date on which we close HSMP completely and replace it with Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system. This will be in the next few months.

Unlike our work permits or business people schemes you do not need a job offer or detailed business plan to apply to the HSMP. Your application will be awarded points based on your skills, experience, age, past earnings and ability to demonstrate English language skills. If you are awarded enough points you will be accepted onto the HSMP.

If you have been in the United Kingdom under the HSMP for more than five years, you may be entitled to apply for permanent residency (settlement) in the United Kingdom.

Back to top