Tier 1 General: Highly Skilled Worker

This section explains how you can come to the United Kingdom or remain here as a highly skilled worker (Tier 1 General) under our points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.
The highly skilled worker category is designed to allow highly skilled people to come to the United Kingdom to look for work or self-employment opportunities.

Who can apply as a highly skilled worker?
Unlike work permits (now replaced by sponsored skilled workers - tier 2), 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 (funds).

Check the Eligibility section to know more...

You can apply under the highly skilled worker category now if you are:

• 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 want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category
• already in the United Kingdom under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme(HSMP), want to extend your permission to stay and are eligible to switch into the highly skilled worker category
• applying for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the highly skilled worker category.

What to do if you have an HSMP approval letter already
If you have an HSMP approval letter, you should read the section on transitional arrangements for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP).

What points you have to score to apply as a highly skilled worker
To apply under our points-based system and be accepted into the highly skilled worker category, you must pass a points-based assessment.You must score:

• 75 points for your attributes (age, qualifications, previous earnings, and experience in the United Kingdom); and
• 10 points for English language; and
• 10 points for available maintenance (funds).

If you do not score a minimum of 75 points for your attributes and 10 points for English language and 10 points for available maintenance (funds), your application will be refused.

Fee: If you are inside the United Kingdom.

Applying by post:
There are two different fees for postal applications under the highly skilled worker category:

• £400 if you submit a valid HSMP approval letter with your application for initial entry (switching) into Tier 1 General (this is because you have already paid for the approval letter); and
• £820 for all other applicants (including applications for extension within the highly skilled worker category if you are currently in the United Kingdom under HSMP).
• Dependant applications for your spouse, partner or children under 18 cost £50 per dependant if they are sent together with your own form.
• Dependant applications for children over 18, or any dependant applications sent separately or later, cost £465.

Applying in person:
If you apply in person at one of our public enquiry offices, there are two different fees:

• £600 if you submit a valid HSMP approval letter with your application for initial entry (switching) into Tier 1 General (this is because you have already paid for the approval letter); and
• £1,020 for all other applicants (including applications for extension within the highly skilled worker category if you are currently in the United Kingdom under HSMP).
• Dependant applications for your spouse, partner or children under 18 cost £50 per dependant if they are made at the same time as your own application.
• Dependant applications for children over 18, or any dependant applications made separately or later, cost £665.

Fee: If you are outside the United Kingdom.

There are two different fees for the highly skilled worker category:

• £250 if you submit a valid HSMP approval letter with your application (this is because you have already paid for the approval letter), which is payable in local currency; and
• £675 for all other applicants, which is payable in local currency.
• Any dependant applications accompanying your application form must pay £675, payable in local currency.
• If your dependants are applying under the transitional arrangements and you have an HSMP approval letter, your dependants must show a copy of the HSMP approval letter when making their application to confirm that they are entitled to the transitional fee.

To pay inside the United Kingdom.

• a cheque in sterling on a United Kingdom bank account (this should be made payable to Home Office, have your full name and date of birth written on the back and be attached to the front of the completed payment slip);
• United Kingdom postal order (this should have your full name and date of birth written on the back and be attached to the front of the completed payment slip); or
• credit or debit card including MasterCard and Visa. We will only accept Delta, Switch and Maestro (including Electron and Solo) if issued in the United Kingdom. Include the card number, the amount paid, the payer's name as it appears on the card, valid from and expiry dates, card verification value (CVV) code, signature and date. The issue number is also needed for Switch and Maestro cards.

Payment by any other method is not accepted.

To pay outside the United Kingdom.

you can find out more about the process in the country you are applying from and download the application forms.

Check out the related information on:

Tier 1 General: Eligibility
Point Based System
UK VISA : Complete procedure
UK VISA : Application fees
UK VISA : Application Forms
Sponsoring a Migrant