Tier 1 (General)
Scoring points for settlement applications
This page explains how you can score points for your settlement application if you are currently in the UK under Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system.
How many points do you need?
You will need to score a total of 75 points if you first successfuly applied before 19 July 2010 for permission to enter or remain in the UK as:
- a highly skilled migrant
- a writer, composer or artist
- a self-employed lawyer
- a Tier 1 (General) migrant.
If you first successfully applied under Tier 1 (General) on or after 19 July 2010, and you were not previously in one of the categories listed above, you will need to score a total of 80 points.
How can you score points?
Unlike applications for permission to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 1 (General), you cannot score points for your English language ability or your maintenance (funds) when you apply for settlement.
You can only score points for your:
- age;
- qualifications;
- earnings; and
- UK experience.
These are called your 'attributes'.
Points will be awarded in the same way as for as your previous extension of stay under Tier 1 (General). If your circumstances have not changed, you will be awarded the same number of points for these attributes.
Using the points-based calculator to calculate your points score
If you want to check your points score, you can use our points-based calculator. You can find a link to the calculator on the right side of this page.
On the front page of the calculator, you should say that you are applying from 'Inside the UK with permission to enter or stay', and that you are 'Extending your stay in the UK'. You can then bypass sections of the calculator by selecting that you do not want to claim points for that section.
When you have answered the questions and reached the 'Points summary' page, your points score for settlement is shown in the 'Attributes' table. The points total required for your settlement application is shown in brackets at the bottom of this table. You must ignore any points score for your English language and Maintenance - you will not score any points for these when you apply for settlement.
Other requirements
To be able to apply for settlement, you must also meet some other requirements. For more information, and to find out how to apply, see the Applying for settlement from Tier 1 (General) page.