Tier 1, Highly skilled workers, investors and entrepreneurs
This section contains details of the routes available to highly skilled workers, investors and entrepreneurs wanting to work in the United Kingdom. You should enquire with your advisor the eligibility requirements for your category in full before making an application.
The standard for applications made under an employment route, which includes each of the categories below, is that the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) will decide 75% of applications within four weeks
On 29 June 2008, several former immigration categories closed. If you currently have permission to stay in the United Kingdom under one of those categories and want to extend your stay you will need to apply under one of the categories below.
Highly skilled workers
You do not need to have a specific job offer but will need to demonstrate you are highly skilled, have money to support yourself and are able to speak English.
Unlike sponsored skilled workers (who are covered by tier 2 of the points-based system), you do not need a job offer to apply under the highly skilled worker category. When you apply, you are awarded points based on your qualifications, previous earnings, United Kingdom experience, age, English language skills and available maintenance (money).
We can help you apply under the highly skilled worker category now if you are:
- already in the United Kingdom with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in an immigration category that allows you to switch into the highly skilled worker category;
- already in the United Kingdom as a highly skilled worker and you want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category;
- already in the United Kingdom under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), you want to extend your permission to stay and you are eligible to switch into the highly skilled worker category; or
- outside the United Kingdom and you are eligible to apply for permission to enter (known as 'entry clearance') under the highly skilled worker category.
Investors
The investor category is designed to allow high net worth individuals make a substantial financial investment in the United Kingdom.
Unlike the former work permit scheme (now replaced by sponsored workers (Tier 2), you do not need a job offer to apply under the investor category. When you apply you are awarded points based on your ability to invest £1,000,000 in the United Kingdom.
You can apply under the investor category now if you are:
- in the United Kingdom and want to make an initial application as an investor (known as switching);
- already in the United Kingdom as a tier 1 investor or as an investor under the former category, and want to extend your permission to stay within the tier 1 investor category;
- applying for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the investor category.
Post Study Worker
The post-study worker category allows the Government to retain the most able international graduates who have studied in the United Kingdom. It also enhances the United Kingdom's overall offer to international students.
Post-study workers are free to look for work without having a sponsor for the length of their leave.
The category provides a bridge to highly skilled or skilled work. If you are granted permission to stay as a post-study worker, we cna help you switch into another tier of the points-based system as soon as you are able to.
We can help you apply under the post-study worker category now if you are:
- in the United Kingdom with permission to stay under the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (SEGS), International Graduates Scheme (IGS) or Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme (FT:WISS); or
- in the United Kingdom as a student, which includes students, student nurses, students resitting examinations,and students writing up a thesis, and want to switch into the post-study worker category.
Entrepreneurs
If you want to come to the United Kingdom as an entrepreneur, there needs to demonstate specific arrangements for you.
We can help you apply under the entrepreneur category now if you are:
- in the United Kingdom and want to make an initial application as an entrepreneur;
- already in the United Kingdom as an entrepreneur and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category;
- already in the United Kingdom as a business person or innovator and want to 'extend'your permission to stay in the entrepreneur category;
- applying for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the entrepreneur category.