Tier 1 (General)

Please note that this category is now closed. Applicants can only extend their stay in the UK under Tier 1 (General) if they are the current Visa holder of:

• highly skilled migrant
• writer, composer or artist
• self-employed lawyer
• Tier 1 (General)
• Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP).

Tier 1 (Exceptional talent)

The Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) category is a new category for people who are internationally recognised as world leaders or potential world-leading talent in the fields of science and the arts, and who wish to work in the UK.

You must have an endorsement from one of the designated competent bodies (Royal Society, Arts Council England, British Academy and Royal Academy of Engineering).

If your application is granted under this category, you can be granted leave to remain in the UK up to 3 years and 4 months. You can then extend your stay for a further period of up to 2 years. After 5 years of leave to remain in the UK under this category, you may be eligible to apply for settlement.

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) is for non-EEA nationals who want to invest in the UK by setting up or taking over a business or businesses.

In order to be eligible, you must have access to not less than £200,000 or £50,000 from one of the departments/organisations as set out by the UKBA. The money must be held in one or more regulated financial institutions so that it is disposable in the UK. You are also required to score a further 10 points for maintenance and 10 points for English language.

If your application is granted, you will be granted up to a 3 year stay in the UK. A further 2 years may be granted if you meet the requirements for an extension under this category. Please note that points are awarded differently for initial and extension applications.

After 5 years of stay under this category you may be eligible to apply for settlement.

Tier 1 (Investor)

This category is for high-net-worth individuals who do not need a job offer to apply for this visa. You will be expected to make a substantial financial investment in the UK of at least £1,000,000.

You will be able to apply for settlement after completing the continuous residence period in the UK. The number of years of continuous residence will depend on the level of investment that you have made.

If you are able to demonstrate that you have made an investment of at least £10,000,000, the continuous residence period is 2 years. If you have made an investment of at least £5,000,000, the continuous residence period is 3 years and that for an investment of at least £1,000,000 is 5 years.

Tier 1 (Post-study work)

This category allows graduates who have completed a Bachelor’s degree or higher, within 12 months of graduating/obtaining their qualification from the UK, to apply for permission to stay in the UK to seek work without a Sponsor. A maximum period of two years will be granted, provided the application is successful.

Please note that this category will be closed in early April 2012.