Skilled professionals affected by the latest UK visa changes
18 June 2008
In order to modernise and simplify UK immigration, the British government is currently overhauling the UK visa system and introducing an Australian style Points Based System
As of the 30th June 2008, Tier 1 of the points based system will be rolled out worldwide, affecting highly skilled professionals wanting to work in the UK. Fastrack’s visa specialists hope the new application will be much easier for candidates. It is now a one (not two) stage process and the initial visa will be granted for three years not two.
The new Tier 1 category will bring an end to the current HSMP visa, however in reality much of the criteria remains the same
Tier 1 – Points criteria
- Applicants must score 75 points for their attributes – which cover age, qualifications, previous earnings and UK experience.
- They must also score 10 points for competence in the English language.
- Plus 10 points for proof of maintenance funds.
It is this last area, proof of maintenance, which is the main difference to the existing system.
Changes in maintenance proof Unlike the HSMP application which judged individual cases on merit, applicants applying to enter the UK under Tier 1 (General) will be required to show they have a minimum level of funds available in order to support themselves on arrival. The UK government has deemed the following amounts appropriate for a pass mark of 10 in the maintenance section.
- £2,800 equivalent for main applicant
- £1,600 equivalent for each dependant
FastrackUK can take care of your Tier 1 application The HSMP will be replaced by Tier 1 at the end of this month so any professional considering moving to the UK will now, in all likelihood, be applying under the new system. As with every category of visa, FastrackUK and our specialist visa partners handle all aspects of the application for you and ensure the process goes as smoothly and as quickly as possible.
If you are in the UK All individual’s in the UK who plan on extending their stay under Tier 1 and who are not in a category which allows them to switch, will be required to apply under the new PBS from their country of legal residence. Those individual’s currently in the UK as either a work permit holder, an IGS visa holder, a student or an existing HSMP visa holder will be entitled to switch into the new Tier without having to leave the UK.
For more information on Tier 1 and to see if you qualify why not give FastrackUK a call on the numbers above or click on the link to email us. We’ll be happy to help.
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