Highly Skilled Worker - Tier 1 — Work and Live in the UK

The Highly Skilled Worker Tier 1 (General) visa category is designed to attract highly skilled workers to live and work in the UK. This visa category is suitable for qualified individuals who wish to seek employment, attend job interviews or establish a business in the UK.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate they have the required English language ability, maintenance (funds) and a recognised qualification to be eligible to qualify under this visa category. In addition, applicants must meet the minimum point's requirements on an assessment for attributes including age, previous earnings and any UK experience.

Successful applicants will be granted temporary residence under the Tier 1 (General) visa category, which will permit them to live and work freely in the UK for an initial period of three (3) years.

Tier 1 (General) Visa Minimum Requirements and Entitlements

The UK Border Agency has set specific requirements that all applicants must meet in order to apply for a Work visa under the Tier 1 (General) category.

To qualify for migration under the Tier 1 (General) category, you must be able to satisfy the basic visa requirements related to your age, English language ability, qualification, previous earnings, UK experience and available maintenance (funds). These attributes will be assessed in a points test and you must obtain at least 10 points for each of English language ability and maintenance (funds); and a minimum of 75 points for the other attributes. The point allocation is configured such that applicants must hold a recognised qualification to meet the minimum requirements.

A Work visa under Tier 1 (General) is initially granted for three (3) years with the ability to apply for further stay and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years continuous residence in the UK (however other requirements will have to also be met to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain)