UK Work Visas
High Value Migrants-Tier 1 (General) Extension
The Highly Skilled worker Tier 1 (General) visa is designed to attract highly skilled workers to live and work in the UK. This visa category is suitable for qualified individuals who wish to seek employment, attend job interviews or establish a business in the UK. This category is now closed to new applicants
Applicants must be able to demonstrate they have the required English language ability, maintenance (funds) and a recognised qualification to be eligible to qualify. In addition, applicants must meet the same attributes they met at their initial applications to qualify for extension and settlement under this route
AssessmentTier 1 (General) Visa Extension Requirements
The UK Border Agency set specific requirements that all applicants must meet in order to apply for a entension of Work visa under the Tier 1 (General) category.
To qualify for extension or settlement migration under the Tier 1 (General) category, you must be able to satisfy the basic visa requirements related to your age, English language ability, qualification, previous earnings, UK experience and available maintenance (funds). These attributes will be assessed in a points test and you must obtain at least 10 points for each of English language ability and maintenance (funds); and a minimum of 75 points or 80 points for the other attributes depending on when your original TIER 1 visa was issued. The point allocation is configured such that applicants must hold a recognised qualification to meet the minimum requirements.
AssessmentTier 1 (General) Visa Extension Entitlements
Successful applicants are granted temporary residence under the Tier 1 (General) visa and are allowed to live and work or set up a business in the UK without any restrictions. As a temporary resident, successful applicants will have free access to public schools, and subsidised tertiary education for their dependants. Eligible dependants may also be able to work or study without any restrictions.
A Work visa under Tier 1 (General) is initially granted for two(2) or three (3) years depending on when the initial application was made and comes with the ability to apply for further stay and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR entitles individuals to permanent residency in the UK. Permanent residents may also be eligible to sponsor their family for migration to the UK and apply for British citizenship.
AssessmentTier 1 (General) Visa Processing Time and Costs
| HIGHLY SKILLED WORKER (TIER 1 GENERAL) | OUTSIDE THE UK (ENTRY CLEARANCE) | INSIDE THE UK (FLR) |
|---|---|---|
| Government Main Application Fee | NA | UK£1545 |
| Government Partner Application Fee | NA | UK£1159* |
| Government Child Application Fee | NA | UK£1159* |
| Advanced Migration Service | US$399 | |
| Premium Migration Service | US$1999 | |
| Processing Times | 1-12 weeks | 4-16 weeks |
* The reduced fee will be applicable when the dependent applies at the same time with the main applicant.
- Other Work Visas
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Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) Visa
The Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) visa provides international graduates in the UK an opportunity to find work in the UK without a sponsor. -
Tier 2 (General) Visa
The Tier 2 (General) visa allows those with a job offer from a UK-based organisation to live and work in the UK as a sponsored worker. -
Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer)
The Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa allows those with an offer of transfer or secondment to live and work in the UK as a sponsored worker. -
Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) Visa
The Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa allows religious workers with a job offer from a UK-based organisation to live and work in the UK as a sponsored worker. -
Tier 2 (Sportsperson) Visa
The Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa allows internationally established sportspersons and coaches to live and work in the UK as a sponsored worker. -
Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Visa
The Tier 5 visa category includes a range of temporary work visas which allow specific types of workers to undertake short term and temporary work in the UK. -
Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme)
The Youth Mobility Scheme allows 18 - 30 year olds from participating countries an opportunity to holiday and work in the UK for up to two (2) years. -
Bulgarians and Romanians
The category for Bulgarians & Romanians is designed to allow Bulgarian and Romanian nationals to start their own business or work in the UK. -
Domestic Worker Visa
A Domestic Worker visa allows domestics working for an overseas employer in a private household to accompany their employer when they visit or move to the UK. -
Sole Representative Visa
A Sole Representative permit allows a representative of an overseas company to set up a branch or subsidiary of the company in the UK.
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- Latest Immigration News
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- UKBA Publishes New Immigration Application Forms
UK Border Agency has recently announced the publication of new versions of many visa application forms that will be used from 6 April 2013. - Immigration Fees Change Takes Effect from 6 April 2013
From Saturday 6 April 2013, fees for visa applications made from overseas and applications made from within the UK are increased, following Parliamentary approval. - UK Priority Visa Service in Russian Federation
According to a recent announcement of the UK Border Agency (UKBA), a priority visa service (PVS) is now available to applicants across all visa application centres (VACs) in the Russian Federation.
- UKBA Publishes New Immigration Application Forms
