Skilled Visas and Immigration to the UK

Since 28 January 2002, the Highly Skilled Migration Programme has provided talented people with exceptional skills, the opportunity to come to the United Kingdom to seek work. The United Kingdom Government operates a programme to allow individuals to seek entry, to work in the United Kingdom without having a prior offer of employment. The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme aims to provide an individual route for highly skilled persons who have the skills and experience required by the UK to compete in the global economy.

The visa entitles you to enter the UK to seek and take work for a period of 12 months. One month before the visa expires you will be able to apply for further permission to stay as a Highly Skilled Migrant.

Normally, people are given permission to remain for a further 3 year period. If you have been granted permission to stay in the United Kingdom as a Highly Skilled Migrant for four years and intend to remain in the UK on a permanent basis, you can apply at the end of the four year period for a permanent residency (settlement) visa.

Basic Requirements for Skilled Migration to the United Kingdom

These are:

Educational qualifications -

this category provides points for those holding a PhD, a Master's degree (such as an MBA) and for those with a Graduate degree (such as BA or BSc). Qualifications have to be to the recognised British standard of Bachelors, Masters or PhD to be awarded the respective points for each level of qualification.

Work Experience -

you will score points for at least five years' work experience in a graduate level job (or three years if you have a PhD). You will score points for that level of work experience in a graduate level job if it includes at least two years' senior or specialist work experience. You will score points if you have at least ten years' graduate level work experience including at least 5 years senior or specialist work experience.

Past Earnings -

this category requires you to demonstrate a minimum earned income in your country of residence to score points. In order to reflect differences in income levels across the world the level required to qualify varies depending where you live. The country you are living in (or where your income is earned) is considered, not your nationality.

Achievement in Your Chosen Field –

in order to score points in this category you will need to produce a body of evidence showing how your work has been acknowledged by your peers and contributed significantly to the development of your field.

Priority Applications for General Practitioners -

this area provides a mechanism for the United Kingdom government to encourage people with a particular skill or profession to move to work in the United Kingdom.

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