Tier 1 General

Here you can get information about how you can come to the UK or remain here as a highly skilled worker (Tier 1 General) under points-based system to work in the UK.

About this category:
The highly skilled worker category is planed for highly skilled people to come to the UK to look for work or self-employment opportunities.

Who can apply?
Different home office’s work permits (soon to be replaced by sponsored skilled workers – tier 2), you do not require a job offer to apply under the highly skilled worker category. When you apply you are awarded points based on your qualifications, previous earnings, UK experience, age, English language skills, and available maintenance (funds).

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

• In the UK with permission to live (known as ‘leave to remain’) in an immigration category that allows you to switch into the highly skilled worker category;
• Already in the UK as a highly skilled worker and want to extend your permission to live within your existing category;
  
• Already in the UK under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, want to extend your permission to live and are eligible to switch into the highly skilled worker category;
  
• Applying for permission to enter the UK (known as ‘entry clearance’) under the highly skilled worker category.

Click here for more information