Highly skilled workers
Initial applications
This section explains how you can make your initial application under the highly skilled worker category of our points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.
On this page
- How to apply if you are already in the United Kingdom
- The immigration categories from which you can switch into the highly skilled worker category
- The conditions you must meet to extend your stay if you apply and are already in the United Kingdom
- How to apply if you are outside the United Kingdom
- The conditions you must meet if you apply from outside the United Kingdom
It applies if you are in the United Kingdom in any category except as a highly skilled worker (Tier 1 General) or under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. If you are already in either of these two categories, you should read the section on extending your stay.
You should read the section on eligibility first, to make sure you meet the requirements to apply.
How to apply if you are already in the United Kingdom
The process for applying is:
Step 1: complete a self-assessment online using our points-based calculator to find out if you are likely to score enough points.
Step 2: fill in the highly skilled worker application form.
Step 3: send it to us with your fee and supporting evidence.
We strongly advise you to send all supporting documents with your application. We will not consider any evidence sent in after we have made a decision.
If you are sending any dependant applications at the same time as your own application, we encourage you to send your application and dependant applications in the same envelope or you must pay a seperate dependant fee. See the section on cost.
The immigration categories from which you can switch into the highly skilled worker category
If you are in the United Kingdom and wish to stay as a highly skilled worker, you will need to be sure that you can switch into this category.
Switching into this category is allowed if you currently hold leave in the following categories:
- Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP);
- Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland;
- International Graduates Scheme (IGS);
- innovator;
- postgraduate doctor or dentist;
- student;
- student nurse;
- student re-sitting an exam;
- student writing up a thesis;
- work permit holder;
- business person;
- self-employed lawyer;
- writer,composer or artist;
- entrepreneur (tier 1);
- investor (tier 1); or
- post-study worker (tier 1).
See the section on extending your stay for further details. If you are here under any other category, you will not be able to switch into the highly skilled worker category. You can find more information on switching on the pages of Working in the UK that are relevant to your category.
If you are given leave to remain (permission to stay) as a highly skilled worker, you will be able to live and work in the United Kingdom for a maximum period of three years. When the end of this period approaches you will need to apply to extend your stay as a highly skilled worker.
The conditions you must meet to extend your stay if you apply and are already in the United Kingdom
Leave to remain (permission to stay) is subject to the following conditions:
- you must have no recourse to public funds, which means you will not be able to claim most benefits paid by the state; and
- you must register with the police if this is needed by paragraph 326 in part 10 of the immigration rules.
You may not be not employed as a doctor in training unless:
- you were last given entry clearance, or leave to enter or remain, as a highly skilled migrant or as a postgraduate doctor or dentist;
- you were last given entry clearance or leave to remain as a highly skilled worker and that was not subject to a condition prohibiting employment as a doctor in training; or
- you submit a valid Highly Skilled Migrant Programme approval letter, and your application for that approval letter was made on or before 6 February 2008.
If you are already in the United Kingdom and are sending any dependant applications at the same time as your own application, we encourage you to send your application and dependant applications in the same envelope, or you must pay a separate dependant fee.
How to apply if you are outside the United Kingdom
The process for applying if you are outside the United Kingdom is:
Step 1: complete a self-assessment online using our points-based calculator to find out if you are likely to score enough points.
Step 2: go to the visa services website, which you can find on the right of this page, to find out if you must submit any personal details in the country you are applying from and to find the application form.
Step 3: take or send your form(s), fee and supporting evidence to the visa application centre. You must also arrange to give your biometrics, which are usually taken at the visa application centre.
We strongly advise you to bring all supporting documents with your application. We will not consider any evidence provided after we have made a decision.
If you are given entry clearance as a highly skilled worker from outside of the United Kingdom, you will be able to live and work in the United Kingdom for a maximum period of three years. When the end of this period approaches you will need to apply to extend your stay as a highly skilled worker.
The conditions you must meet if you apply from outside the United Kingdom
Leave to remain is subject to the following conditions:
- you must have no recourse to public money which means you will not be able to claim most benefits paid by the state;
- you must register with the police if this is needed by paragraph 326 in part 10 of the immigration rules;
- you may not be not employed as a doctor in training unless you submit a valid Highly Skilled Migrant Programme approval letter, and your application for that approval letter was made on or before 6 February 2008.
Application forms
Tier 1 (General)
- Application for initial entry (switching) or extension of stay within Tier 1 (General) - main applicantPDF 428K opens in a new window
- Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system - policy guidancePDF 336K opens in a new window
Terms explained
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Biometric
Biometrics is the science of using digital technology to recognise a person from a physical characteristic (for example a fingerprint or iris pattern of the eye) or another unique personal characteristic (for example a voice pattern or handwriting). These characteristics are your biometric details.
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Public funds
Public funds are income-related benefits paid by the state. They include income support, income-based job seekers allowance, housing and homelessness assistance, housing and council tax benefit, working families' tax credit, a social fund payment, child benefit and any disability allowance. Benefits paid as a result of contributions, such as the state pension, are not considered to be public funds. Social housing is not considered to be a public fund either. Claiming public funds when you are not eligible is known as benefit fraud and it is a criminal offence.
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Supporting documents
The documents we require as evidence for what you write on your application form.