Overview(Top)
If you are a skilled person looking for opportunities to live and work in the UK, the Tier 1 general visa or HSW visa is the
right visa for you. Currently this visa is closed for overseas applicants. This visa allows highly qualified workers to switch
within the UK from an existing allowed category as per the guidelines and look for work or self employment opportunities. If
applicants satisfy all requirements, the visa is initially granted for a period of 2 years.
The Tier 1 replaces the HSMP and is a single application process, irrespective of whether the application is made inside or
outside the UK. The Tier 1 system is a rigorous, fair and a more transparent system for highly skilled professionals to migrate to
the UK, which will benefit its economy and protect its borders. The Tier 1 route is closed for overseas applicants and the route
will also close from applicants within UK from 5th April 2011.
Unlike the sponsored work visa category, a job offer is not required to apply for this visa. It is a points based system and
applicants should satisfy the requirements of age, English language ability, qualification, previous earnings, UK experience and
maintenance funds.
Basic Features of the Tier 1 Visa: (Top)
- Allows you to work initially for two years.
- This Visa may then be extended for another three years. The extension is on the basis of being able to support
yourself without recourse to public funds and work experience gained.
- At the end of 5 years in the UK, you may apply for indefinite leave to remain (permanent residence).
- Allows you to take your immediate family members & they too can work / study in the UK without restrictions
- Applicant’s dependents will have access to free public education and subsidized healthcare
- Process time 1-3 months
Who can apply for the Tier 1 HSW?(Top)
Those who are eligible for apply for HSW visas are -
- Applicants who are in the United Kingdom with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in any of the
immigration categories that allows them to switch into the Highly Skilled Worker category;
- Highly Skilled Workers are already resident in the UK and want to extend the permission to stay within the existing
category
- Applicants residing in the UK under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, wanting to extend their permission to stay
and are eligible to switch into the Highly Skilled Worker category.
Eligibility(Top)
The applicant is assessed in a points test and must obtain at least 10 points each for English language ability and maintenance
funds and a minimum of 75 points for the other criteria of age, qualifications, earnings and experience.
- Age
- Applicants are awarded points according to age and can earn up to 20 points. Those over 40 do not
earn points for age, but can easily meet the points by satisfying the other criteria.
- Qualifications
– Points are granted if your qualifications are equivalent to Bachelors, Masters, PhD or
if your qualifications are validated by NARIC, a UK body that assesses overseas qualifications to UK academic levels.
- Previous Earnings
– Points are awarded for your previous earnings for a period of up to 12 months.
Earnings are calculated using uplift ratios in order to bring down the difference in the level of earnings between countries.
- UK Experience
– An additional 5 points can be scored for UK experience or if the applicant has possessed
his/her degree in the United Kingdom, at least one full academic year within the last 5 years
- English Language
– Proficiency in the English language is mandatory and 10 points are granted for
satisfying this criterion.
- Maintenance Funds
– It is mandatory to demonstrate your ability to support yourself and any dependents,
for the entire duration of your stay in the UK without recourse to public funds. For those applying from within the UK, the
funds requirement for the principal applicant is £800 and an additional £1,600 needed for each dependant accompanying or
planning to join the applicant within 12 months of their arrival in the UK.
Highly Skilled Workers Visa Process(Top)
Application Fees(Top)
Application Fee: UK £850 for main applicant
Method of Payment
The fees can be paid in local currency. To find out what the local fees are and it can be paid,
please contact your nearest visa application centre at
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply
For those signing up for our Full Service, details of all fees / forms & processes are provided along with step by step
consulting & documentation services.
Evaluation(Top)
Before Y-Axis accepts your case for processing, we must be certain that you earn enough points and are able to provide
documentary evidence to make a successful application. Before you apply for it, you must be certain you actually qualify.
Our Processing Team does a detailed review of your profile & assesses your education, your institution, & personal finances to
determine if you are eligible apply for the visa. . If you score the necessary points your application is accepted for Full
Service & Processing. Read more about Y-Axis Technical Evaluation
Click here to sign up for an evaluation.
Full Service & Processing(Top)
Use our professional services to apply for Highly Skilled Workers Visa. We have the experience of having processed cases from
all over the world. No other consultant in the market has processed more HSW applications than us. You can count on our experience
and success.
Our terms & conditions are clear along with a transparent system & clear policies. We only accept applications that we are
confident will be a success. You have to first sign up for an evaluation & score 95 points before we accept your case.
Our Full Service & Processing Includes:
- Starter Kit issuance
- Complete Application Processing
- Forms, Documentation & Petition Filing
- Updates & Follow up with the Consulate
- Airport Pickup*
- Accommodation Assistance*
- Relocation Orientation
- Job Search Assistance*
* These services are provided at an additional cost.
Price List, Fee Schedule & Refund Policy (Top)
Y-Axis Service fee is Competitive & among the best you will find in the industry. At any given time, our state of the art
Processing Center is processing over 5000 active cases from across the world. Our processes are standard & Process Consultants
are the best in the world.
Our Prices are standard across all our offices. We guarantee that other than company offers & promotions, you will not be
quoted a higher price & eventually pay a lower price. Prices are determined by the company & set for all clients, all offices &
all cases. You know you are paying the right price – the same as all our 10000+ clients around the world.
Please refer to our Price List & Fee Schedule
FAQs(Top)
- What is the Tier 1 visa?
The Tier 1 visa is a points-based immigration system designed to bring in highly
skilled migrants, entrepreneurs, investors, and foreign graduates of UK educational institutions to work, study or establish
their own business in the UK. This employment-based scheme allows highly skilled professionals who can contribute to the
economy, to work without restrictions.
- Is sponsorship required to apply for the Tier 1 visa?
No, applicants do not need a job offer or a sponsor to
apply for the Tier 1 and are free to seek employment anywhere in the UK.
- What are the criteria on which points are granted?
Applicants should satisfy the requirements of age, English
language ability, qualification, previous earnings, UK experience and maintenance funds. To qualify applicants need to score
100 points. To find out if you qualify for the Tier 1 visa, click here or send an email to consult@y-axis.com.
- How are points calculated against the criteria?
To qualify applicants need to score 100 points. The applicant
is assessed in a points test and must obtain at least 10 points each for English language ability and maintenance funds and a
minimum of 80 points for the other criteria of age, qualifications, earnings and UK experience.
- What is the difference between the Highly Skilled Migrant Program and the Tier 1 Highly Skilled Work visa?
The Tier 1 replaces the HSMP and is a single application process, irrespective of whether the application is made inside or
outside the UK. The HSMP was a two stage application process - one applying for the approval letter and then applying for the
entry clearance.
- I hold a valid HSMP approval letter, am I eligible to apply?
If you hold a valid approval letter from Work
Permits UK, Sheffield, you will be eligible to apply for Tier 1 entry clearance. The Letter is valid for 6 months from date
of issue. However, you will be required to satisfy the requirement for maintenance. The application fee is currently lesser
for applicants with a HSMP letter.
- What are the maintenance funds that I need to show for my application to be successful?
Applicants need to
prove that they can support themselves for the entire duration of their stay without recourse to public funds. The applicant
needs to show that they have at least £800 of personal savings, which should have been held for at least three months prior
to the date of application.
- How long is the visa granted for?
The visa is initially granted for 2 years and can then be extended for
another 3 years. At the end of 5 years in the UK, you may apply for permanent residency and eventually citizenship.
- Can I take my dependents on this visa?
Applicants can bring their dependants, including their spouse, civil
partner, unmarried partner, and/or children under 18 with them. They have to prove their ability to support their dependents
without seeking help from public funds.
- What are the rights and benefits my dependents are entitled to?
Dependents can work or study in the UK.
Applicants and their dependents have access to free public education and subsidized tertiary education.
- What is the application fee for the Tier 1 visa?
The fee for applicants applying from inside the UK is £ 850
(post/courier) and £ 1050 (if applying in person)
- How can I find out if I am eligible to apply for the Tier 1 visa? How can I apply for the visa?
Our Processing Team does a detailed review of your profile & assesses your education, work experience, previous earnings &
personal finances to determine if you are eligible apply for the HSW visa (Tier 1). To find out if you are eligible, please
click here or send an email to consult@y-axis.com
Y-Axis UK Office processes all Immigration & Visa Applications but does not process UK Immigration & UK Visa Applications.
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