New Tier 1 & Tier 2 Rules

Changes to Tier 1 (Highly Skilled)

• Bachelors Degree Qualifications have been reintroduced into Tier 1 General after a 12 month absence. In April 2009 following challenging economic conditions the UK Border Agency increased the minimum requirements for Tier 1 General from a Bachelors Degree to a Masters Degree. This change not only reduced applications from those looking to come to the UK for the first time but also the retention of existing visa holders (such as those already in the UK on a Working Holiday Visa (now Tier 5) or Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa). Points now available for Qualifications:
  • Bachelors Degree Qualification – 30 Points Awarded
  • Masters Degree Qualification – 35 Points Awarded
  • PHD – 45 Points Awarded
• Significantly higher bandings for the Previous Earnings requirement. Points now available for Previous Earnings:
  • Previous Earnings under £25,000 – 0 Points Awarded
  • £25,000 – £29,999 – 5 Points Awarded
  • £30,000 – £34,999 – 15 Points Awarded
  • £35,000 – £39,999 – 20 Points Awarded
  • £40,000 – £49,999 – 25 Points Awarded
  • £50,000 – £54,999 – 30 Points Awarded
  • £55,000 – £64,999 – 35 Points Awarded
  • £65,000 – £74,999 – 40 Points Awarded
  • £75,000 – £149,999 – 45 Points Awarded
  • £150,000 or above – 75 Points Awarded
• 75 Points awarded for highly skilled workers with income of £150,000 or above (automatic qualification)
• Points awarded for age right up to 39 years of age. Points now available for Age:
  • Over 40 years of age – 0 Points Awarded
  • 35 to 39 years of age – 5 Points Awarded
  • 30 to 34 years of age – 10 Points Awarded
  • 29 years of age or under – 20 Points Awarded
• Tier 1 General approvals will now be granted for an initial 2 years, after which time an applicant can apply for a 3 year extension. Previously applicants were granted an initial 3 years after which time they could apply for a 2 year extension

Changes to Tier 2 (Skilled):

• 5 additional points will be awarded for Tier 2 General applications versus Tier 2 Intra Company Transfers due to the fact that Tier 2 General applications are designed specifically to protect skilled jobs and to ensure that offers are made to resident nationals before those from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Points now available for Sponsorship:
  • Job offer in a Shortage Occupation – 50 Points Awarded
  • Job offer which passes the Resident Labour Market Test – 30 Points Awarded
  • Switching from a Post Study Work Category – 30 Points Awarded
  • Intra Company Transfer – 25 Points Awarded
• 50 Points will be awarded for all extension applications, thereby simplifying the process of applying for an extension
• The Prospective Earnings Band has been increased (in order to score 20 points an applicant must receive prospective earnings of at least £28,000. Previously an applicant only required £24,000 or more). Points now available for Prospective Earnings:
  • Below £20,000 – 0 Points Awarded
  • £20,000 – £23,999 – 10 Points Awarded
  • £24,000 – £27,999 – 15 Points Awarded
  • £28,000 – £31,999 – 20 Points Awarded
  • £32,000 or above – 25 Points Awarded
• The allowance proposals recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee have not been taken up by the UK Border Agency

Commonwealth Contractors

Commonwealth Contractors is a collection of highly skilled professionals from the Commonwealth and beyond. We partner with OISC Registered Immigration Partners capable of professionally representing Tier 1 Visa Applications / Extensions and Tier 2 Licensed Consultancy & Associated Trust Partners who may be prepared, where required, to sponsor a Medical, Information Technology or Engineering Professional on a Tier 2 Visa (formerly UK Work Permit).

To find out more call Commonwealth Contractors now on 0330 390 9021 or Submit your details now and we will get right back to you. Please be prepared to send a copy of a recent CV so that we can pass to interested partners.