Tier 1 applications - HSMP

• Do you want to be self-employed or start your own company in the UK?
• Are you unhappy being tied to a single employer?
• Are you looking to change employers freely?
• Interested in working in the UK but can't find an employer to sponsor you?
• Are you being made redundant?

What is Tier 1?

Tier 1 visas are designed for individuals who can meet specific qualifying criteria and they do not have to be sponsored by an employer. The government will impose an annual limit on the total number of Tier 1 visas.

The range of Tier 1 visas has been changed as from 6th April 2011 and there will now be the following available: Tier 1 (Post Study Work), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Investor) and Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent).

Please note that Tier 1 (General) is now closed for new applications. However people who already hold a Tier 1 (General) or a Highly Skilled Migrant Programme visa will be able to extend their existing visa if they meet the qualifying criteria.

Who qualifies for a Tier 1 visa?

Tier 1 (Post Study Work) a category for people who have graduated from a university in the UK within the previous 12 months can apply to stay here (or return) to work. This visa is issued for two years, allows work for any employer but cannot be extended. It is possible to switch to a Tier 2 (General) visa from a Tier 1 (PSW) visa.

The government has indicated that they will close the Tier 1 (PSW) visa option in April 2012.

Tier 1 (Investor) The investor category is designed to allow high net worth individuals make a substantial financial investment in the UK. You do not need a job offer to apply under the investor category but you are awarded points based on your ability to invest £1,000,000 in the UK.

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) If you want to come to the United Kingdom as an entrepreneur you have to show evidence that you have £200,000 available to you in the UK through regulated institutions to use to set up or invest in a UK business.

Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) will be introduced. This will cover migrants who have won international recognition in scientific and cultural fields, or who show sufficient exceptional promise to be awarded such recognition in the future. Applications by those with exceptional promise will be endorsed by a competent body in the relevant field. The 'exceptional talent' category will be subject to a limit of 1,000 places. Tier 2 will continue to be open to migrants working in these fields.