General Tier 1-Highly Skilled Migrants
For further information please click here
Hghly Skilled Migrant Programme
The HSMP Visa has become a popular choice amongst skilled workers and business persons due to its versatility. The HSMP allows applicants to search for a job, attend interviews and take up employment or set up a business as a self-employed person.
Regardless of whether the application is made within the UK or abroad the requirements are similar. The basic requirement of this Visa is that you score a minimum of 75 points on the HSMP points test.
A) Qualification
B) The MBA Provision
C) Previous Earnings
D) UK Experience
E) Age Assessment
F) English language
A) Qualifications
You can score points in this category according to your highest level educational qualifications:
PhD Masters Bachelors
50 35 30
In order to be awarded these points the qualifications gained MUST be equivalent to UK standard. The verification is done by NARIC.
Evidence required
Academic qualification
You should provide the original degree certificate. This should clearly show
i) date of award
ii) title of award
iii) name of awarding institution
iv) YOUR name
Professional qualification
You should provide the original award certificate. This should clearly show
i) date of award
ii) title of award
iii) name of awarding institution
iv) YOUR name
and confirmation from UK professional body confirming your qualifications equivalence to UK academic level.
B) The MBA Provision
To meet the requirements of the MBA provision you must have:
• Completed the MBA from one of the 50 eligible MBA institutes or an institute that was on the list when you completed your MBA.
• Must have graduated after the 2nd December 2004
• Can satisfy the English language requirement. (see section F)
If you can fulfil these requirements you automatically awarded 75 points.
Evidence required
As only one piece of evidence is required to get the FULL required points. You must provide the original MBA certificate showing
• Date of the award
• Institute awarding the MBA
• Your name
IF you have completed and passed the MBA but have not yet been issued the certificate, then you may provide a letter from the institute confirming your name, qualification awarded and date awarded AND academic transcript.
C) Previous Earnings
In order to gain points in this category your earned taxable income before tax will be assessed for a 12 month period over the last 15 months. The income can be from several jobs or part time work. The UK equivalent that you need to earn in the year is available from the list.
It must be earned income so it CANNOT include:
• Property rental income
• Interest on savings
• Funds from an inheritance
• Dividends from investments (unless you are active in day-to-day management.)
The income must have been taxable; therefore it must show on your tax return. If your income includes dividend payments from the company you work for or own then this must be supported with evidence to show it is NOT income from an investment.
If you are a full time student who has just started or just completed their studies. Your income will be assessed immediately prior to you starting your studies.
Evidence required
You will need to provide original:
• Wage slips to cover the entire 12 months
• Income tax return
Or
• Bank statements showing the salary for the 12 month period.
• Letter from employer confirming salary.
IF you are a contractor; you must provide ALL of these pieces of evidence
• Your tax income return
• Copies of contracts from your employer
• Invoices from the employers showing amount paid
• Bank statements showing payments made.
IF you are self-employed; you must provide BOTH of these pieces of evidence
• Your personal Tax return
AND
• Your personal bank statement
AND
• Company audited accounts and company tax return
OR
• Unaudited business/management accounts confirming total amount you are claiming
PLUS
• Business bank statements and tax return
OR
• Copies of contracts totalling the full amount payable and corroborating invoices
D) UK Experience
You can claim points in this category if:
• You have studied and graduated at BA level or higher in a UK institute on a full time course. Must have spent atleast 1 year or 3 consecutive terms in the UK institute.
• Have scored points under the earnings category and your earnings were in the UK.
You can ONLY score a maximum of 5 points.
IF you are claiming points for studying in the UK, you must have completed the BA course or higher in the previous 5 years
E) The Age Assessment
Point can be achieved as follows:
Age in years Points
27 or under 20
28 or 29 10
30 or 31 5
32 or over 0
The age is determined from when the application form is received by work permits UK.
Evidence required
You must provide either:
• Original birth certificate
• Original full driving licence
F) English Language
It is essential that you have a good understanding of the English language. If you are unable to show this you will not be successful with your HSMP application regardless of the number of points you have achieved.
In order to fulfil these criteria you must:
Either
• BA degree was taught in English and is of an equivalent level to a UK BA degree. (MUST be BA not MA or PhD)
• Passed IELTS band 6 or above issued in the two years prior to application being received by Work Permits (UK)
To check whether you qualify please click here for a free no obligation HSMP eligibility test