Points-based system: Tier 1 (General) highly skilled workers
This section explains how you can come to the United Kingdom or remain here under Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker of our points-based system to work, train or study in the United Kingdom.
Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker is designed to allow highly skilled people to come to the United Kingdom to look for work or self-employment opportunities.
Unlike our work permits or business people schemes, you do not need a job offer or detailed business plan to apply for Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker. When you apply you are awarded points based on your qualifications, previous earnings, United Kingdom experience, age, English language, and available maintenance (funds).
You can only apply for Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker now if you are:
- in the United Kingdom and want to make an initial application for the Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker category;
- already in the United Kingdom under Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category;
- already in the United Kingdom under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, want to extend your permission to stay and are eligible to switch into Tier 1.
- applying in India for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') in the Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker category.
If you are applying in India, you can download the guidance, self-assessment and personal details application forms from the VFS website - see the link on the right of this page. VFS is a commercial company operating visa application centres throughout India on behalf of the UK Border Agency. VFS will forward applications to the British high commission or appropriate deputy high commission for consideration. Please contact VFS or your nearest visa application centre if you have any questions about making an application in India.
We will start accepting Tier 1 (General) applications in countries other than India later this year. Until then, if you are outside the United Kingdom in a country other than India, you can continue to apply under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.
If you have an HSMP approval letter, you should read the section on transitional arrangements for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.
News & updates
Terms explained
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Business people schemes
Immigration categories under which someone can apply to come to the United Kingdom as a business person to run a business full-time. See Working in the UK for more information about these categories.
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English language
This means your ability to speak and write in English. A defined level of skills is required before you can make certain applications. Under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study this is one of the categories for which you must gain points.
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Maintenance
This means your available maintenance or funds when you apply under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. It is one of the categories for which you must gain points. A defined level of maintenance is required before you can make certain applications.
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Previous earnings
This is a category for which you may score points under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. It means the amount of money you have earned in 12 consecutive months during the 15 months immediately before you make your application.
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Qualifications
Your grade, the name of the award, the country of study, the institution you studied at, and the year of the award.
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Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker
A category of the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. It applies to people who are looking for highly skilled employment in the United Kingdom, or are self-employed or setting up a business.
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United Kingdom experience
Under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study this is one of the categories (known as 'attributes') for which you can score points. You may be able to score points for this if you scored points for previous earnings in the United Kingdom, or have a qualification at bachelor's degree level or above that was gained in the United Kingdom.
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Work permit
Permission to work in the United Kingdom that is given to someone who has no automatic right to work here but has met the requirements to be allowed to do so.
Internet links
Contact
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Work permits customer contact centre
0114 207 4074
Customer Contact Centre, UK Border Agency, PO Box 3468, Sheffield, S3 8WA