Highly skilled workers
This section explains how you can come to the United Kingdom or remain here as a highly skilled worker (Tier 1 General) under our points-based system.
On this page
- What is the highly skilled worker category?
- Who can apply as a highly skilled worker?
- What to do if you already have an HSMP approval letter
- Are you affected by the HSMP Forum Ltd judicial review judgment of 8 April 2008 (extension of stay)?
- Are you affected by the HSMP Forum Ltd judicial review judgment of 6 April 2009 (settlement in the United Kingdom)?
What is the highly skilled worker category?
The highly skilled worker category is designed to allow highly skilled people to come to the United Kingdom to look for work or self-employment opportunities.
Who can apply as a highly skilled worker?
Unlike sponsored skilled workers (who are covered by tier 2 of the points-based system), you do not need a job offer to apply under the highly skilled worker category. When you apply, you are awarded points based on your qualifications, previous earnings, United Kingdom experience, age, English language skills and available maintenance (money).
You can apply under the highly skilled worker category now if you are:
- already in the United Kingdom with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in an immigration category that allows you to switch into the highly skilled worker category;
- already in the United Kingdom as a highly skilled worker and you want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category;
- already in the United Kingdom under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), you want to extend your permission to stay and you are eligible to switch into the highly skilled worker category; or
- outside the United Kingdom and you are eligible to apply for permission to enter (known as 'entry clearance') under the highly skilled worker category.
Go to our visa services website if you are applying from outside the United Kingdom. There you can find out more about the process in the country you are applying from, and download the application forms.
What to do if you already have an HSMP approval letter
If you have an HSMP approval letter, you should read the section on transitional arrangements for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.
Are you affected by the HSMP Forum Ltd judicial review judgment of 8 April 2008 (extension of stay)?
If you have an HSMP approval letter that was issued under the requirements in place before 7 November 2006, and you obtained entry clearance or permission to stay in the United Kingdom on the basis of the letter, you may be affected by the HSMP Forum Ltd judicial review judgment of 8 April 2008. You should see the section on the HSMP Forum judicial review (extension of stay) for more information before you proceed with a Tier 1 (General) application.
You will not be affected by this judgment if you joined the HSMP under the arrangements in place from 5 December 2006.
Are you affected by the HSMP Forum Ltd judicial review judgment of 6 April 2009 (settlement in the United Kingdom)?
If we sent you an HSMP approval letter on the basis of an application made before 7 November 2006, and you obtained entry clearance or permission to stay in the United Kingdom on the basis of that letter, you may be affected by the HSMP Forum Ltd judicial review judgment of 6 April 2009.
You should see the section on the HSMP Forum Ltd judicial review (settlement in the United Kingdom) for more information. This will tell you whether you are affected by the judgment, and will help you decide what to do next.