Working in the UK
TIER 1 – General Visa (HSMP)
Please Note: UKVI has stopped accepting fresh applications under this category, however the extension under Tier 1 – highly skilled is not affected with this change.
Tier 1 General HSMP category was introduced in replacement of Highly Skilled Migration Programme (HSMP). It is a point based system which allows highly skilled workers to migrate to the UK in search of a job or to be self employed but now this category is completely closed. Only those who are living in the UK as a participant of Highly Skilled Migrant Program or Tier 1 General visa can extend their visas in this category.
The applicants for extension would need to undergo a points system; number of points would depend on the date they entered the category. Applicants can claim points in the following categories:-
Age: Score rewarded for age ranges between 0 to 20 points and younger applicants are awarded more points.
Qualifications: Applicant must hold a recognised qualification to score between 30 to 50 points.
English Language Ability: The applicant must qualify an English language test equivalent to level C1 of the Europe’s Common European Framework for Language Learning (Level C at GCSE or band of 6.5 on IELTS). Applicants who already meet the requirements at the initial application stage would automatically meet these requirements.
Visa Maintenance Funds: Maintenance depends on the nature of application. For overseas applications it is high and for in country extensions application (if the applicant has been in the UK for over a year) it is much lower. However, since Tier 1 (General) category is abolished; in country applicants applying for extension would need to show £900 of maintenance per month for a period of 3 months prior to the date of the application.
Extension and Indefinite Leave to Remain: Once the application for extension is approved under Tier 1 (General) category then the applicant can stay in the UK until he/she completes 5 years of residency in the UK after which they can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK which also requires to meet points based criteria for most of the applicants unless the initially entry in the category was prior to November 2006.
The dependants of Tier 1 (General) visa holders can join them in the UK. The spouse, civil partner or eligible partner and children under 18 years can join them as their dependants in the UK.
If you wish to apply for UK Tier 1 General visa and need professional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Kaizen Law Solicitors at 01204 867 556.
TIER 1 – Exceptional Talent Visa
The Government has introduced a new immigration route for exceptionally talented migrants within Tier 1 of the Points Based System. The number of visas granted to Exceptional Talent will be limited to 1000; this limit is re-instated for 2015/2016 and 2016/17. The basic purpose in introducing this category was to attract the individuals who are renowned and talented personalities; those who are best in their fields like Science, Arts, Humanities, etc to settle and serve in the UK.
The applicants willing to a apply under this Tier 1 category will have no need of showing any kind of sponsor letter from any employer but they must have an endorsement from a designated competent body as well as they will have to undergo a point system.
The category covers only extraordinary designated personalities like internationally recognised prize holders, personalities and those young people who have brilliant and extraordinary study and working backgrounds in their fields and aiming to connect their fields as well. All migrants will need to show the funds that are enough to maintain themselves.
If you wish to apply for UK exceptional talent visa and need professional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Kaizen Law Solicitors on 01204 867 556.
TIER 1 – Graduate Entrepreneur Visa
An applicant can apply for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa if they are a graduate from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, have a credible and genuine business idea and wish to set up or run a business in the UK. The applicant must have access to at least £50,000 investment funds to apply. This visa can allow stay for a maximum of 3 years and 4 months. You can apply to extend this visa for another 2 years if your already in this category and 3 years if your switching to it from another category. You may be able to apply for settlement (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) once you’ve been in the UK for 5 years.
With this visa you can set up or take over the running of one business or more. Work for your business, including being self-employed (you should check your work meets the conditions of being self-employed). With this visa you can also bring family members with you.
You cannot do any work outside your business, e.g. work where you are employed by another business or get public funds.
If you wish to apply for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa and need professional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Kaizen Law Solicitors on 01204 867 556.
TIER 1 – Prospective Entrepreneur Visa
This Tier 1 Entrepreneur category was introduced for non-European migrants and applicants who want to get the advantage of UK’s outstanding business opportunities. The maximum growth chances in business and finance always attract businessmen and UK is a well-known hub for the business community. The UK entrepreneur visa holders can setup their businesses, hand over the existing business or can participate in more than one business freely.
The applicants must meet the minimum requirements of point based system. The applicants will have to get 95 minimum points to be eligible for entrepreneur visa. The entrepreneur must be investing at least £200,000 in that business as well as have good command in English language to qualify under this visa category. If the applicant for entrepreneur visa is already living in the UK under specific immigration categories approved by UKVI, he or she can switch into entrepreneur category. Also the entrepreneurs can apply for extension if their granted visa is going to expire.
The applicants are required to lodge their UK Entrepreneur Visa at the UK mission in their home country and if the applicants are in the UK and need extension they will have to lodge their application to the UKVI. The UK Entrepreneur visa application may be processed earlier or take much time if the immigration officer recommends interview for the applicant or some other reasons. To avoid any kind of delays the applicants must lodge their application in advance of their proposed travel date.
The dependants of entrepreneur visa holders can join them in the UK. The spouse, civil partner or eligible partner and children under 18 can join them as their dependants in the UK.
If you wish to apply for UK Entrepreneur visa and need professional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Kaizen Law Solicitors on 01204 867 556.
TIER 1 – Investor Visa
Tier 1 Investor visa category covers those people who want to make substantial investments in the UK. The applicants will have to undergo the basic point base system set by UKVI. The applicants will have to score at least 75 points for attributes. This category is exempted from the English language and available maintenance requirements as well as the applicants are not required to show any kind of job offer letter but they will have to meet the minimum criterion. They will have to show handsome portfolio to invest in the UK in a productive business. The investor has a choice to work in UK as well along with his/her other business activities.
The dependants of investor visa holders can join them in the UK. The spouse, civil partner or eligible partner and children under 18 years can join them as their dependants in the UK. If the applicant is already living in UK under some other specific immigration categories approved by the UKVI, he or she can switch into Investor category. Also the Investors can apply for extension if their granted visa is going to expire.
The applicants are required to lodge their UK Investor Visa at the UK mission in their home country and if the applicants are in the UK and need extension, they will have to lodge their application to the UKVI. The UK Investor visa application may be processed earlier or take more time if the immigration officer recommends interview for the applicant or some other reasons. To avoid any kind of anxiousness the applicants must lodge their application in advance of their proposed travel date.
If you wish to apply for UK Tier 1 Investor visa and need professional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Kaizen Law Solicitors at 01204 867 556.
TIER 2 (General) Sponsored Worker
Tier 2 General category is a point based scheme in replacement of work permit. This Tier 2 Sponsored skilled worker category requires a minimum total of 70 points to qualify under this visa scheme. The candidates must meet the basic requirements and criteria by showing enough funds for maintenance, English language requirement as well as Certificate of Sponsorship. Certificate of Sponsorship is issued by the UK based companies who wish to employ a particular person if they could not find a suitable worker from the UK resident work force. The candidates who are already living in the UK under some specific immigration categories can switch to this category or Tier 2 General visa holders can apply for extensions.
Tier 2 is a “temporary category” – the maximum stay for Tier 2 (General) is 6 years. However, this route still leads to settlement after 5 years of continuous residence in the United Kingdom.
The dependants of Tier 2 (General) Sponsored workers can join them in the UK. The spouse, civil partner or eligible partner and children under 18 years can join them as their dependants in the UK.
The applicants are required to lodge their UK Tier 2 General Sponsored Worker Visa at the UK mission in their home country and if the applicants are in the UK and need extension they will have to lodge their application to the UKVI. The UK Tier 2 (General) Sponsored Worker visa application may be processed earlier or take more time if the immigration officer recommends interview for the applicant or some other reasons. To avoid any kind of problems the applicants must lodge their application in advance of their proposed travel date.
If you wish to apply for UK Tier 2 General visa and need professional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Kaizen Law Solicitors at 01204 867 556.
TIER 2 – Minister of Religion
Tier 2 Minister of Religion category is a point based scheme for those want to work for or those who want to present themselves to rule of their faiths communities in the UK. They include religion undertaking preaching and pastoral work, missionaries and members of religious orders. This Tier 2 Minister of religion category requires a minimum total of 70 points to qualify under this visa scheme. The candidates must meet the basic requirements and criteria by showing enough funds for maintenance, English language requirement as well as job offer letter. After you are granted a visa you will be able to live for three years in the UK.
Tier 2 is a “temporary category” – the maximum stay for Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) is 6 years. However, this route still leads to settlement after 5 years of continuous residence in the United Kingdom.
The dependants of Tier 2 (Minister of religion) can join them in the UK. The spouse, civil partner or eligible partner and children under 18 years can join them as their dependants in the UK.
The applicants are required to lodge their UK Tier 2 (Minister of religion) at the UK mission in their home country and if the applicants are in the UK and need extension they will have to lodge their application to the UKVI. The UK Tier 2 (Minister of religion) visa applications may be processed earlier or take more time if the immigration officer recommends interview for the applicant or some other reasons. To avoid any kind of anxiousness the applicants must lodge their applications in advance of their proposed travel date.
If you wish to apply for UK tier 2 minister of religion visa and need professional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Kaizen Law Solicitors at 01204 867 556.
TIER 2 – Sportsperson Visa
You can apply for a Tier 2 Sportsperson visa if you are an elite sportsperson or qualified coach recognised by a sports governing body as internationally established at the highest level. This visa can also be obtained if your sports governing body is endorsing your application or if your employment will develop your sport in the UK at the highest level. This visa can be held up to 3 years, you can apply to extend this visa for up to another 3 years to a maximum stay of 6 years.
If you wish to apply for a Sportsperson Visa and need professional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Kaizen Law Solicitors at 01204 867 556.
TIER 2 – Intra-Company Transfer
Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer is for the employees from multinational organisations who are being transferred to the UK branch of that organisation. The basic requirements like maintenance and English language as well as the certificate of sponsorship are required. Academic qualifications and prospective earnings can play their part to improve your points. After you are granted a visa you will be able to live for three years in UK.
The successful candidates from inside or outside the UK can remain in UK for 3 years. Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer applicants cannot apply for settlement until they have been in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years in an eligible immigration category. They must pass the Life in the UK Test to show that they have met the minimum knowledge of language and life requirements in the UK for settlement.
The dependants of Tier 2 (ICT) can join them in the UK. The spouse, civil partner or eligible partner and children under 18 years can join them as their dependants in the UK.
The applicants are required to lodge their UK Tier 2 (ICT) at the UK mission in their home country and if the applicants are in the UK and need extension they will have to lodge their application to the UKBA. The UK Tier 2 (ICT) visa applications may be processed earlier or take more time if the immigration officer recommends interview for the applicant or some other reasons. To avoid any kind of anxious the applicants must lodged their application in advance of their proposed travel date.
If you wish to apply for UK Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer visa and need professional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Kaizen Law Solicitors at 01204 867 556.
