UK Tier 1 Visa for the General Highly Skilled Migrants
The new Tier 1 system for the General Highly Skilled Migrants Programme or HSMP visa holders takes effect on 31 March 2008. For those who are looking to extend their leave to remain in the United Kingdom, or for those who wish to switch to the Tier 1 classification, the new system will prevail. If you are under a different category applying for the Tier 1 category for General Highly Skilled Migrants, then this new system applies to you.
This new system includes a General Highly Skilled Migrants Points system to evaluate the applicant and see if he or she qualifies under this program. In order to assess your chance of getting into this category, applying, or extending your leave to remain in this category, several online calculators are available.
The points system is comprised of six factors. One of which is the age of the applicant. For 29 years of age and below a score of 20 points is given. 30 to 31 years of age gets 10 points while 32 to 33 years of age gets 5 points.
Previous earnings are also a major factor in the points system. It is assessed on a 12 month period within the previous 15 months before application. Exceptions to the rule are those who are on maternal leave and other adoption related activities. If you have previous UK experience, then five extra points will be awarded to you given that you have earned at least GBP 16,000 in the country.
Educational attainment is also a big part of the points system. Aside from that, the English language requirement is also part of the points based system. It will garner you 10 points if you either pass the IELTS or English language test at a score acceptable to the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework, or if you are a citizen of the Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the USA, where the basic language is English.