Tier 1: Highly skilled individuals
This UK immigration category is essentially the rebranded version of the current Highly Skilled Migrant Programme 
(HSMP). It is available to highly skilled individuals who can bring professional skills, qualifications and experience to the United Kingdom. A job offer is not required in order to apply under tier one.
The application process for the first tier visa service works on a similar premise to the current Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. If your application is successful you will have the right to immigrate to the UK with full and free access to the employment market. This means that depending on the category of tier 1 visa you have successfully applied for, you will be permitted to live and work in the UK, seek and undertake employment, establish a business, make a substantial investment, or be self-employed.
Benefits
One of the key benefits of the tier 1 visa system is that you do not require a job offer to enable you to lodge a successful application. Furthermore, the tier one visa provides you with a route towards settlement in the UK, with an opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (also known as 'permanent residency') in the UK.
Points based visa assessment
As with the present HSMP, a total of 75 points will be required to qualify for a tier one visa. Provided below is an overview of how the points criteria will function.
The points system is designed to allow a wider variety of candidates to reach the pass-mark threshold based upon performance in the different areas of assessment. For example in situations where an older candidate may lose points in terms of age, they may be able to recoup the balance through claiming more points for their previous earnings. Alternatively, younger candidates without an established career may not yet command high earnings but they may be able to reach the minimum points threshold based upon their qualifications and age.
Age
- Under 28 years of age = 20 points
- 28 - 29 years of age = 10 points
- 30 - 31 years of age = 5 points
Qualifications
- PHD = 50 points
- Masters Degree = 35 points
- Bachelors Degree = 30 points
In circumstances where you acheived your qualification in the UK, it is possible that an additional 5 points may also be awarded in this category. Please note however that this is still to be confirmed.
Earnings
- £40,000 + = 45 points
- £35,000 - £39,999 = 40 points
- £32,000 - £34,999 = 35 points
- £29,000 - £31,999 = 30 points
- £26,000 - £28,999 = 25 points
- £23,000 - £25,999 = 20 points
- £20,000 - £22,999 = 15 points
- £18,000 - £19,999 = 10 points
- £16,000 - £17,999 = 5 points
The earnings component will be weighted to take into account the country and currency in which your earnings where generated.
In addition to the points system outlined above, you will also be required to show that you are proficient in the English Language.
Dependants
Under the new Points Based System, spouse and dependent visas will allow you to bring your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner to join you in the UK. Provisions for family immigration under the new system will function in a similar manner to a UK dependency visa.
Please note that the existing marriage visa, unmarried partner visa and fiance visa will continue to exist outside the 5 tier system.