Schemes and Programmes

Tier 1 Highly Skilled Migrants-General

The General sub-category of the new Tier 1 for Highly Skilled Migrants goes live for in-country applicants from 29 February 2008. Please click for more details. This means that those seeking extension on, the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP - see below) visa will now move over to the new system. More information  UK Border Agency

Applicants applying from outside the UK , will have to fill the VAF9 Form and the PBS Appendix 1. Application form and guidance notes available on the UK Visa website 

Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP)

Transitional arrangements for people on HSMP:  Find out more

Tier 2, Skilled Workers, General sub-category

From 27 November 2008, sponsored workers will have to apply under the new Tier 2 sponsored skilled worker category under the new Points Based System (PBS).

This category will have 3 sub-categories: General, Ministers of Religion and Sports people. Most of the applications will fall under the General sub-category.

Tier 2 General applicants will have to show that they have enough points to qualify. No one can qualify under this Tier unless they have a certificate of sponsorship.

A list of the UK employers already licensed to sponsor migrants under the new points-based system (register of sponsors) can be found on the UK Border Agency's website.

Overall pass-mark of 70 points:

• General (certificate of sponsorship, qualifications, prospective earnings) (50 points)
• Maintenance (10 points)
• English language (10 points)

Employers will have to show that the position cannot be filled by a "resident worker" (resident labour market test)

For further information about the Tier 2 General, please refer to:
www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/general/

Shortage Occupation Lists

If the job offered is part of the UK or Scottish shortage occupation lists, applicants will automatically score the general 50 points. They will still have to score the overall pass-mark of 70 points and provide a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.

To check the UK and Scottish shortage occupation lists, please refer to: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/workingwithus/indbodies/mac/macfirstshortagelist/

Intra Company Transfer

In order to qualify under the Intra Company Transfer, skilled workers need to have been working overseas for the sponsoring company for at least 6 months previous to the application.

Under the Intra Company Transfer, no Resident Labour Market test will be necessary but the skilled workers will still have to provide a valid Certificate of Sponsorship and score the overall pass-mark of 70 points.

For further detailed information about eligibility for Tier 2, please refer to:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/general/

Tier 2, Sportspeople sub-category

Tier 2, Ministers of Religion sub-category

Tier 5, Youth Mobility Scheme (starting on 27 November 08)

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan and New-Zealand, aged between 18 and 31 may be interested to read of the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS).

Under the YMS, the applicants' governments act as their sponsor. If successful, applicants will be granted 2 years leave to enter in the UK and will be free to undertake any type of job during their stay (except for self-employment, working as a professional sportsperson or doctor in training).

Tier 5 YMS applicants will have to show that they score enough points to qualify.

Overall pass-mark of 50 points:

• Certificate of Sponsorship (30 points)
• Age (10 points)
• Maintenance (10 points)

It is not possible to have dependants under the YMS and to switch into any other immigration category at the end of the leave granted.

YMS participants will be expected to leave the UK at the end of the 2 years.

For further information about the Tier 5 YMS, please refer to:
www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier5/youthmobilityscheme/

Tier 1 Entrepreneur

2.   Tier 1, Entrepreneur sub-category (New Points Based System)

This scheme allows Non-European Economic Area nationals to come and live in the UK in order to work in business.

Highly Skilled applicants will have to show they have enough points to qualify for the Entrepreneur sub-category.

They will have to score the pass-marks in 3 different categories:

·    Specific criteria (pass-mark = 75). In order to get the 75 points, they will have to have access to £200,000.

·    English Language (pass-mark = 10)

·    Maintenance (pass-mark = 10)

  Points Calculator  

For guidance notes and application forms, please check UK Border Immigration Agency

For out-of-country application (VAF9 Form & PBS Appendix 3), please check the UK Visa website

Find out more about doing business in Scotland in our Business section.

Working Holiday Maker  

Commonwealth nationals can work in the UK using the Working Holiday Maker route.  

Working and settling in the UK is not the main primary aims for applicants in this category.

Find out more information  about working holiday maker