Highly Skilled Migrant Programme Guideline
If you have a highly skilled profession and wish to work in the UK you may apply for a visa under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme is part of the Points Based System in the United Kingdom. Tier 1 visa applications do not require a sponsor, it will be determined on whether you have successfully achieved 75 points in the Visa application. The points for a Highly Skilled Migrant Programme are based on your UK experience, English language skills, qualifications, previous earnings, age and available maintenance.
Under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme you will usually be granted 3 years to stay in the UK. With a Highly Skilled Migrant Programme after the 3 years in the UK you may have the opportunity of a 2 year extension. Following this extension you may apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK.
The UK Government have been encouraging Highly Skilled Migrants to immigrate to the country -first through the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and now through its Tier 1 (General) visa for general Highly Skilled Migrants, which replaced the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme(HSMP) on 30 June 2008.
The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (Tier 1 Visa) does not require the candidate to have an offer of employment. This visa is granted to the most highly skilled applicants.
Duration of a Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP)
The applicant on this visa will be granted three years to stay in the UK. After the three years a two year extension may be possible, which could then lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK.
Benefits of a Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP)
With a Highly Skilled Migrant Programme you will be free to work in the UK. If you live in the UK for five years you may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. If ILR is granted you may bring your dependents to stay with you in the UK. The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (Tier 1 general visas) does not require a sponsor so the applications may be less time consuming.
Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) Eligibility
Tier 1 Visa applications are assessed on a range of criteria. For each sub category, candidates will be assessed against different requirements. All categories of the Tier 1 general visa require the applicant to be fluent in speaking English and must be able to support themselves with no recourse to public funds.
Dependants
A successful Highly Skilled Migrant Programme applicant may bring their dependents with them to the UK. However the main Highly Skilled Migrant Programme applicant must be able to prove that they have sufficient funds in place to support them. The dependents of the applicant will be eligible to work in the UK. If the dependent wishes to be in the UK in their own rights they will need to apply for their own visa to which they will need to leave the UK to apply for.
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