Tier 1 Visas

Currently on a Tier 1 Visa? We can help with Tier 1 Extensions!

Call the London Office on +44 (0)344 991 9222 for a Tier 1 consultation or appointment.

Same day UK Visa application - Call us on 0344 991 9222

Some UK visas can take months to be processed by UK Immigration. Or you may have to attend in person at the
public enquiry office.
We work with OISC registered organisations and, if you are already in the UK, can submit your visa application
and get it processed on the same day! Call our London office on 0344 991 9222 for further details.

Updated January 2013

Introduction
The United Kingdom's Tier 1 visa immigration scheme is part of the five tier points based visa system for
immigration to the UK. Tier 1 visas are for eligible entrepreneurs, investors, and for the very small number of
people who can come under the 'Exceptional Talent' visa category. The various Tier 1 visa categories replaced
similar immigration schemes in early 2008.
We would remind you that, if you stay in the UK legally for five years or more, you may be eligible to apply for
settlement; also known as indefinite leave to remain. Call us on 0344 991 9222 for further information..

Who Can Apply?

Tier 1 is broken up into a number of sub-categories:

Tier 1 Entrepreneurs Investment required: 50,000 - 200,000

If you are a foreign businessman from outside the EU and would like to run your own business in the UK, you
should seriously consider the UK Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa.
If you wish to invest in the UK by setting up or taking over a business or by becoming a part-owner of a UK
business, you can come to the UK under the Entrepreneur sub-category of Tier 1. Please be aware that you must
be actively involved in the running of the business.
In order to qualify, you must score at least 95 points under the Tier 1 points-based system.
You will score points as follows
Points
having access to at least 200,000 of disposable capital

25
points

Having at least 50,000 from

25
points

one or more registered venture capital firms or

one or more UK entrepreneurial seed funding competitions

One or more UK government departments or

Having a live application for leave to remain in the UK

Having a tier 1 (Post study work) visa

Being engaged in business activity or

25
points

Having access to at least 50,000 and also a Tier 1 (Graduate

entrepreneur)visa.

25
points

The funds are held in a regulated financial institution

25
points

The funds are disposable

25
points

You can speak English to the required standard

10
points

You have sufficient funds to support yourself in the UK

10
points

Tier 1 Investors Investment required: 1,000,000 minimum

If you are a wealthy individual and wish to live in the UK, you should consider the Tier 1 (Investor) visa.
In order to qualify, you must score 75 points under the Tier 1 points-based system
You
will
score
75
points
for
one
of
the
following
If you have at least 1,000,000 of disposable funds that you can invest in the UK or
If you have 2,000,000 or more in personal assets and a loan of over 1,000,000 which you can invest in the
UK.
Investors are exempt from both the English language requirement and the requirement to provide further proof of
the ability to support themselves and any dependants.

Tier 1 - Exceptional Talent

The Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa allows you to live and work in the UK if you have an exceptional talent in the
arts or sciences.
In order to qualify, you must score 75 points under the Tier 1 points-based system.
You will score 75 points if you gain the endorsement of a 'Designated Competent Body' which will need to certify
either that you are internationally recognised as a world leader in your field or that you are someone with the
potential to be so. There are only four Designated Competent Bodies. They are national societies for the arts and
sciences. It is extremely difficult to qualify for a visa in this category. Only 1, 000 Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visas
can be issued in any one year. You do not need a job offer or a sponsor in order to be successful and are free to
seek employment anywhere in the UK. You must score 75 points under the Tier 1 points-based system for their
application to be successful.

Tier 1 - Graduate Entrepreneur

The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur category enables graduates who have been identified by a UK university as
possessing world class entrepreneurial skills to apply to stay in the UK after graduation.
In order to qualify, you must score 95 points under the Tier 1 points-based system

Tier 1 - Post-Study Work CLOSED

The Tier 1 Post-Study Work sub-category was created to allow foreign students who have studied in the UK
(under the Tier 4 student visa system) to live and work in the UK following graduation for two years without the
need for a sponsor. However, this scheme was officially closed on 6 April 2012.

The Points Based System

In each category of Tier 1, points are earned according to three sets of criteria:

Criteria specific to each category, such as age and past experience.

English language ability.

Maintenance funds. Migrants need to show that they have sufficient funds for their stay in the UK. You
must show that you have the following maintenance funds:

Maintenance Funding Requirements for applications made since14 June 2012

Fee
Tier 1 visa
Tier 1 applicants - entry clearance

3,100

Tier 1 applicants - already in the UK

900

Dependents of Tier 1 applicants who have been in the UK for less than 12
months

1,800

Dependents of Tier 1 applicants - all other applications

600

Tier 1 (Investor) migrants do not need to meet the maintenance funds requirement. It is felt that someone who
has 1,000,000 available to invest in the UK will have more than sufficient funds to pay the living expenses for
themselves and their family.
Other Tier 1 migrants will be required to reach the pass mark for each of the criteria above in order to gain entry
to the UK and will be required to prove that they can meet them again when seeking renewal of their Tier 1 visa.
Documentary evidence showing a migrant's ability to claim sufficient points will be required. As per the
Immigration and Asylum Act of 2006, migrants applying from abroad will have no right of appeal when denied
entry, so it is important to make sure this documentation is in order.

Renewal of Leave Under Tier 1

Tier 1 - General Although the Tier 1 (General) category was closed to new applicants on 5th April 2011, if you
already have a Tier 1 (General) visa granted before that date you may be eligible to apply for a Tier 1 (General)
extension. Also, you may apply for a Tier 1(General) extension if you are already in the UK in a category that has
been closed but which permits switching into Tier 1 (General). This includes some people who were previously on
the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) and those visa holders who previously had 'leave to remain' in the
following visa categories: writers, composers, artists, and self-employed lawyers; These visa categories are now
closed for new applicants apart from the HSMP which is still open to Bulgarians and Romanians only.

Subsequent renewals of leave under the Investor, Entrepreneur, and Exceptional Talent sub-categories can be
granted for two years for eligible visa holders. It is not possible to apply for an extension of stay under the PostStudy Work sub-category. Individuals in the UK under the Post-Study Work sub-category, if they wish to remain in
the UK, are required to switch to another sub-category or a different tier.
After five years, you may apply for settlement; also known as indefinite leave to remain. However, time spent
under the Tier 1 Post-Study Work category does not count towards the five-year requirement to apply for
indefinite leave to remain.
There are certain requirements and restrictions when renewing a Tier 1 visa. Migrants must apply for the same
sub-category under which they originally applied and must be able to demonstrate that they are still able to pass
the points-based test for that category.
Entrepreneurs must show that an investment in business has been made and registration of the business was
undertaken within three months of entry. Business Immigrants must be actively engaged in the business and
have created at least 2 full time job positions which have lasted for at least 12 months.
Investors must show that 750,000 was invested within three months of entry and that the investment has been
maintained throughout the period of leave.ve.

Dependants
Migrants granted leave in the UK under Tier 1 will be able to bring their dependants provided they can support
them during their stay. Dependants include children under 18 years of age, spouses, civil partners, same sex
partners, and unmarried partners.

Previous immigration categories

The immigration categories below closed on 29 June 2008. If you currently have permission to stay in the UK in
one of these categories and you want to extend your stay, you must apply under one of the Tier 1 categories
listed above. If you have been in the UK for 5 years or more under one of these closed categories, you may be
able to apply to settle permanently in the UK.

General Highly Skilled Migrants

The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP)

Investors

Self-employed lawyers

Businesspersons

Writers, Composers and Artists

The International Graduates Scheme

Innovators

Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme