UK Tier Visas

Under the Points Based System or PBS, UK immigration will be restructured over the next few years to employ a five tier system. At present, tier 1 visas for skilled immigration to the UK and tier 2 work permits are in place. Global Visas can obtain visas for tier 1 and tier 2 and will be able to assist with applications for tier 3 visas, tier 4 visas and tier 5 visas as the new system is rolled out.

Visit the Global Visas online assessment area today to find out whether you qualify for a tier 1 visa or tier 2 work permit.

Tier 1 Visa

The UK tier 1 visa for skilled migration is subdivided into four streams, however in all cases; applying for a tier 1 visa is the only route under the Points Based System which does not require a sponsor to be in place. Tier 1 visas for the UK are designed to attract the most skilled migrants to the United Kingdom and use a points assessment to focus upon a candidate’s age, skills, experience, qualifications and investment capability depending on the specific tier 1 stream for which they apply.

General Stream

The general stream of the tier 1 visa is designed for skilled migrants coming to the UK to seek and undertake employment upon arrival. Candidates must meet or exceed the 75 point threshold based upon their age, previous earnings and qualifications.

Entrepreneur Stream

The entrepreneur category of the tier 1 visa focuses upon a candidates’ ability to start or take control of a UK business. The candidate must be employed in the venture as their sole employment and they must take an active day to day management role. The minimum points pass mark is, like all streams 75 points, and in this case the points are awarded based upon a candidate having funds to the value or £200,000 or more.

Investor Stream

The investor stream, like the entrepreneur stream requires a candidate to make a substantial investment, although the amount is significantly higher. In this stream the 75 point minimum must be obtained by the candidate either:

• Being in possession of at least £1 million, which is held in a UK financial institution, is their own money and is available for use in the UK or;
• Having personal assets worth at least £2 million.

Post-Study Work

The post-study work scheme is in effect a bridging measure which allows non-EEA nationals graduating from UK educational institutions to transfer into another tier one visa stream. The category is designed to help the UK retain the most talented graduates and is issued for two years. This category is the only tier 1 visas service whose duration does not count towards permanent residency in the UK though once an applicant has switched to another category they will be able to work towards Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR).

Making a Tier 1 Visa Application – General Requirements

Tier 1 immigration places a range of requirements upon candidates which apply to tier 1 visa services as a whole. Self sufficiency and the ability of a candidate to support themselves during their time in the UK is essential, although in the investor scheme it is assumed that qualifying applicants will automatically meet this requirement. Proficiency in the English language is also a general requirement although once again, this does not apply to the investor category.

Tier one visas are awarded for three years after which a UK visa extension may be obtained providing that the requirements of tier 1, and of the specific stream continue to be met. After five years in the United Kingdom, a tier 1 visa holder may apply for ILR beyond which, subject to meeting the requirements they may pursue a grant of UK citizenship. The exception to this is the Post Study Work category in which visas for tier one are granted for two years which does not count to wards permanent residency.

Spouse Immigration and Dependent Immigration

As outlined above, tier 1 immigration is intended for non-EEA nationals who wish to immigrate to the UK on a permanent basis. With this in mind, candidates relocating to the UK may bring their spouse or partner and any dependent children with them. These dependents will be granted the same duration of leave to remain in the UK as the principle applicant and will be allowed to seek and undertake employment in the UK.

Tier 2 Work Permit

Tier 2 work permits provide a temporary route to living and working in the UK and allow UK employers to source employees from outside the EEA. A tier 2 work visa is valid only for the sponsoring employer in the position offered and any change of either employer or position would involve a separate application. Although a tier 2 working permit for the UK does not specifically provide for permanent residency, it may lead to the opportunity to apply after the minimum residency requirement is met.

Applying for a Tier 2 Visa

Like all UK tier immigration services, with the exception of tier 1, a tier 2 work permit requires an applicant to have a sponsoring UK firm in place and a definite offer of employment. Tier 2 applications are subject to a points based assessment under the PBS and candidates must achieve a minimum of 50 points based upon their qualifications and prospective earnings.

Dependents of tier 2 applicants may join them in the UK and will be granted the same period of leave. However, dependents may only work in the UK if they obtain a tier 2 work permit in their own right.

How Global Visas Can Help

Global Visas help thousands of businesses and individuals each year to obtain the work permits they need to live and work in the UK. Our team of specialist immigration lawyers and migration consultants obtain work permits and Intra Company Transfer visas and offer a full range of immigration compliance services for corporate clients. Tier 2 places greater emphasis on employers being responsible for the candidates they employ in the UK. Global Visas ensure that your business continues to meet immigration compliance standards under the points based system and retains its licence to sponsor workers from overseas.

You can find out more about what Global Visas can do for you by visiting the online assessment area today. Whether you wish to apply for a work permit or you want to know more about immigration compliance services for businesses, just take a moment to complete one of our enquiry forms and a consultant will contact you directly.