Commercial Immigration Services
HCI immigration consultants provide representation and immigration advice to organisations both in the UK and overseas. The UK government offers many opportunities for people to travel live and work legally in the UK and a variety of work permits and immigration visas are to available. We provide same day application service at a very competitive price
Points Based System (PBS) is a new system for managing migration for those wishing to enter the UK for work or study. The full background to the Points Based System is available on the UK Border Agency website.
Points Based System was launched in the UK on 29 February 2008. The system will be gradually phased in throughout 2008 and 2009. Tier 1 is aimed at attracting applicants who have the very highest skills or who wish to establish themselves in business or to invest in the UK. The Tier 1 (General) route is the replacement for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.
Tier 1
Tier 1 Visa – General
Tier 1 Visa – Entrepreneur
Tier 1 Visa – Innovator
Tier 1 Visa - Investor
Tier 1 Visa - Post Study Work
- General Requirements
Tier 1 visas are different from the other four tiers for the fact that applicants do not need to receive a certificate of sponsorship from a UK establishment – business or college.
Maintenance
This requirement applies to all categories of the UK tier 1 visa without exception and carries 10 points towards the required total of 95 points. Any candidate immigrating to the UK must be able to financially support him or herself, as well as any dependents that might accompany them. The required amount for the main applicant is £2800; for the first dependent the required amount is 2/3 of the sum for the main applicant with any dependents thereafter requiring 1/3..
English Language Ability
The candidates must be able to meet one of the following conditions in order to obtain the 10 points as required for the candidate’s English Language abilities:
Candidates must have successfully completed an English Language test, which conforms to or exceeds level C1 as defined by the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language Learning or; Candidates must come from a country in which English is the majority language or; Candidates must have studied and successfully completed a degree course, which was taught in English.
Specific Requirements
- Investor
A UK investment visa allows wealthy individuals to travel and live in Britain on the basis of their investment. Unlike other UK business visas, applications for investment visas do not require candidates to actively partake in the day-to-day running of a business. In addition, no points based assessment is required in order to qualify. An Investors visa is intended as a potential route to settled status in Britain and it is an applicant led process on the following conditions:
- You have access to not less than £1 million of your own money that you will take to the UK, and which must not be held in trust, or
- You own personal assets which, taking into account your liabilities, are worth more than £2 million, and You must also show that you:
- You have not less than £1 million under your control in the UK. (This can include money loaned by a financial institution regulated by the Financial Services Authority).
- Intend to invest not less than £750,000 in active and trading UK-registered companies or UK government bonds
- Intend to make the UK your main home, and
- Can support yourself and your dependants and live without having to work as an employee or getting any help from public funds
At HCI Immigration, we will assist you every step of the way, advising you on the supporting documents required for this application and liasing with the British Post in your country of origin to facilitate the visa application process.
In the UK, we will assist you with the local logistics such finding an appropriate office, residential accommodation for your family and staff; and contacts with the appropriate authorities and agencies to enable you settle in with little or no difficulties.
- Innovator
The innovators scheme is designed to attract to the United Kingdom outstanding entrepreneurs with new and creative ideas from overseas, whose business proposals will result in exceptional economic benefits for the United Kingdom. This scheme is open to all applicants in any sector but is mainly aimed at science and technology based sectors. The successful business proposal should aid the development of e-commerce and other new technologies in the United Kingdom. In addition, like the investor scheme, no points based assessment is required in order to qualify. It is also a potential route to settled status in Britain and it is an applicant led process.
To qualify for under innovators scheme you must demonstrate that:
you intend to set up a business that will create full-time employment for at least two people already settled in the United Kingdom, these can be made up from a number of part-time jobs; and
You will maintain a minimum five per cent shareholding of the equity capital in the business, once it is set up, throughout the period of your stay and the company must be registered in the United Kingdom; and
You can maintain and accommodate yourself and any dependants without using public funds or taking other employment; and
Other factors that will be considered in assessing your application includes that you will produce new and creative proposals, for instance the introduction of a new technology process or a product to the United Kingdom or to the business area and that you have a proposal that will impact positively on the United Kingdom economy.
At HCI Immigration, we provide up to date information on the supporting documents required for this application and liasing with the British Post in your country of origin to facilitate the visa application process.
In the UK, we will assist you with the local logistics such finding an appropriate office, residential accommodation for your family and staff; contact the authorities and agencies on your behalf to enable you start trading with little or no difficulties.
- Tier 1 – Entrepreneur
The entrepreneur category is dependent on investment funds and the guarantee that a candidate will be assuming control of a UK business. To qualify, the pass mark of 75 points must be reached by satisfying the specific requirements and 25 for the general requirements.
At HCI Immigration, we will assist you every step of the way, advising you on the supporting documents required for this application and liasing with the British Post in your country of origin to facilitate the visa application process.
In the UK, we will assist you with the local logistics such finding an appropriate office, residential accommodation for your family and staff; and contacts with the appropriate authorities and agencies to enable you start trading with little or no difficulties.
- Post Study Work
The Post-Study Work category visas is designed as a transitional route to allow non-EEA nationals graduating from UK universities to switch to a work or business visa. It is a replacement of the International Graduate Scheme.
The Post-Work Study category issues visas for only two years and does not allow candidates to extend their time in the UK under this scheme. It is NOT a potential route to a settled status in Britain and the two-year duration does not also count toward the residency requirements for gaining settled status in the UK.
Like the other categories of tier 1 immigration visa, the Post-Study work category requires candidates to achieve a minimum pass mark of 75 points from both the general requirements of tier 1 immigration as well as category specific criteria. The application must be made within 12 months of obtaining the qualification
Post Work Study Visas are issued as a means to allow talented graduates to progress to either another category of tier one, or to tier two by securing a sponsor enabling holders of such visa to switch at the end of the initial two years permit.
At HCI Immigration, we advise you regarding the supporting documents required for this application and liase with the Border and Immigration Agency to facilitate the application process.
Extending A Tier One Visa
Tier 1 immigration visas can be extended if required with the sole exception of the Post-Study Work category. The other tier one visas are all granted for three years and can be extended by a further two years where required. The criteria for applying for a UK visa extension differ depending on the category.
Switching To Tier 1 Visa
Applicants may switch to another category of tier 1 visa if they can meet the requirements of the new category. However, whilst Post-Study Work category visa holders can switch into any other category, it is not possible to switch into this category from another.
It will also be possible for holders of tier 2 and tier 4 student visas, once these aspects of the PBS are in place, to switch into tier 1. However, switching to tier 1 will not be permitted for holders of tier 3 visas, tier 5 visas or working holidaymaker visas.
Tier 2 work permits are designed to enable British companies to fill vacant positions with non-EEA resident medium and highly skilled workers. Tier 2 of the PBS will replace the current system of work permits arrangements under the Immigration Act of 1971. As in the case of work permits, it requires applicants to have a confirmed offer of employment with a British company.
With the exception of tier 1 visas, which replace the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) all non-EEA nationals relocating to the UK need to have a sponsor in place and must be in possession of a Certificate of Sponsorship in order to apply for a tier 2 work permit. As with the current system of UK work permits, applying for a tier 2 visa is an employer led process with the sponsoring company applying on behalf of the candidate.
Candidates will be assessed against a points test and will be required to meet the threshold of 50-point minimum pass mark in order to qualify.
Employers are responsible for ensuring that candidates are eligible and suitable to fill the positions being offered in their organisation.
Employers will be awarded either an A or B level sponsorship licence according to the Border and Immigration Agency’s risk assessment.
Employers may be subjected to immigration compliance checks with or without prior notice, where they do not sufficiently fulfil their responsibilities they may be downgraded to a B rating, or have their licence revoked altogether.
The Points Based System (PBS) in the UK requires all non-EEA nationals coming to the UK to work or to study to have a sponsoring organisation. Sponsors will apply for a number of sponsorship certificates based on their likely requirements.
Sponsorship certificates are awarded to non-EEA nationals deemed suitable and eligible for the position on offer by their sponsor and in accordance with the requirements.
A sponsorship certificate does not in itself guarantee UK entry clearance; instead it is a mandatory requirement for all potential migrants wishing to come to the UK under this category. Once in possession of a sponsorship certificate just like the current work permit certificate, they may apply for their UK visas.
At HCI Immigration, we provide full immigration compliance services helping you to fulfil and apply for your sponsorship licence and maintain the A rating while enjoying the full benefits of the tier system.