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Tier 1 (General)

A highly skilled migrant reviewing their application

Eligibility

This section explains whether you can apply to extend your stay in the UK under Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system.

You must read the Tier 1 (General) policy guidance before you apply. You can download the guidance from the right side of this page. The guidance is based on Part 6A of the Immigration Rules.

To be able to apply, you must meet all the requirements of the Immigration Rules.

Are you in an eligible immigration category?

You can apply to extend your stay in the UK under Tier 1 (General) if you are already in the UK with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in one of the following immigration categories:

  • highly skilled migrant
  • writer, composer or artist
  • self-employed lawyer
  • Tier 1 (General)
  • Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), if you are eligible to switch into Tier 1 (General).

If you are not in one of the categories above, you cannot apply to Tier 1 (General).

How many points do you need?

Your total points score must be at least 95 points if you currently have permission to stay in the UK as:

  • a Tier 1 (General) migrant under the Immigration Rules in place before 19 July 2010;
  • a highly skilled migrant;
  • a writer, composer or artist; or
  • a self-employed lawyer.

If you are in any other eligible category, your total points score must be at least 100 points (unless you are covered by the HSMP Forum judicial review judgment - see below).

Your total score must include 10 points for English language skills and 10 points for maintenance (funds).

How can you score points?

The points available are as follows:

Points available
Age 5 to 20
Qualifications 30 to 50
Previous earnings 5 to 80
UK experience 5
English language ability * 10
Maintenance (funds) * 10


* If you do not score points in these areas, your application will be refused, even if you have scored a total of 95 or 100 points in other areas.

Select one of the entries in the table above to find out how you can score points in that area.

You can use our points-based calculator to calculate how many points you will score.

If you have an HSMP approval letter

If you have an HSMP approval letter, see the Transitional arrangements for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme page for more information.

HSMP Forum judicial review

If you are covered by the HSMP Forum judicial review judgment, the HSMP Forum judicial review (extension of stay) page explains how you can apply to extend your stay in the UK.

More information