UK Immigration

UK HSMP / Skilled Worker Category

The UK has welcomed newcomers for centuries. It is a mixture of diverse ethnic groups, each with their own distinct culture and sometimes their own language or religion.Migrants bring a diversity of skills to the UK labor market, providing skills and expertise which complement the existing work force. UK has various visas designed for various purposes. These visas are divided under Immigration category or 'Settlement Visas' and 'Non Settlement Visas. While Settlement Visas (like HSMP or Innovator Visa) allow you long period of stay leading to Permanent Resident or Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, non settlement visas are for shorter periods and do not lead to Permanent Resident status. There are other Visas available, apart from HSMP scheme, which allow you to come to the UK for different purposes. One of the most popular forms of immigration to the UK is the Skilled Worker Category. This allows you to enter the UK before finding a job and means that you do not need a UK employer to sponsor your work permit. One of the biggest advantages offered by the Skilled Worker category is that it is effectively a UK work permit that allows you to work in the UK for any employer. 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 work permits 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 (funds). You can apply under the highly skilled worker category now if you are: 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 want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category; already in the United Kingdom under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, want to extend your permission to stay and are eligible to switch into the highly skilled worker category; applying for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the highly skilled worker category. What points you have to score to apply as a highly skilled worker To apply under our points-based system and be accepted into the highly skilled worker category, you must pass a points-based assessment. You must score: 75 points for your attributes (age, qualifications, previous earnings, and experience in the United Kingdom); and 10 points for English language; and 10 points for available maintenance (funds). If you do not score a minimum of 75 points for your attributes and 10 points for English language and 10 points for available maintenance (funds), your application will be refused. What categories points are awarded for Points are awarded for the following categories: age; qualifications; previous earnings; United Kingdom experience; English language; and maintenance (funds).