The United Kingdom has a special program for highly skilled employees who seek employment in the country. These highly skilled employees are under the HSMP or the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. Starting March 2008, there will be a new system that will be implemented for all who seek working visas or permits under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. This new system is the new Tier 1 system specifically designed for the general highly skilled migrants. This is part of the five-tier points based immigration system of the United Kingdom that is to be implemented over the following year.

To be able to extend their HSMP category from the previous system, they will have to meet the deadline before the new system is implemented. However, after February 29, 2008, they will be allowed to apply for UK HSMP extensions and be assessed through this new system or program or the new Tier 1. Once the new Tier 1 is implemented, they will need to extend their leave to remain as a highly skilled migrant by scoring enough points to qualify under the General Highly Skilled Migrants.

Scores needed to qualify will not change. However, the English language requirements are stricter. The applicant must have a 6.5 score on the IELTS or International English Language Testing System. At the same time, MBA provision is removed and can be replaced with the UK work experience.

New employees wanting to enter the UK under the highly skilled migrant category for the first time must qualify under the new Tier 1 system.