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(relevant to applicants before 6th of April 2010) The Tier 1 general visa is a point based UK immigration service that has replaced the Highly Skilled Migrant Program and enables skilled professionals from all over the world to come to the UK and contribute to the growth of UK economy. This visa is granted for a period of 2 years and visa holders are permitted to extend this and eventually obtain UK citizenship.
Extending your stay
Capital Visas assists many existing Tier 1 General applicants with their extensions. A successful tier 1 extension application will allow the candidate to stay for a further 2 years judging by when they initially submitted their Tier 1 General application. Candidates can apply for the extension if they are already residing in the UK under the highly skilled program and wish to extend their permission to stay in the UK.
The applicant will need to establish that they fulfil the criteria for the visa and obtain 95 points from the various sections of the points based system depending on what date they first applied. The applicant will be allotted points based on their qualifications, age, English language proficiency and previous earnings.
The length of the extension varies from case to case. It is recommended that candidates apply with Capital Visas for the extension some time before their current visa expires.
Benefits:
Some of the benefits offered to extending candidates include:
- No requirement for a work permit to continue employment in UK
- The visa provides a route to settlement along with dependants
- The opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain or permanent residency in the UK.
In order to qualify for permanent residence a candidate’s performance within the last 5 year period will be taken into account. Successful candidates will be able to obtain permanent residence once they have spent a continuous period of 5 years lawfully in UK. This will facilitate applicants to apply for British naturalization to become a UK citizen.
Eligibility for the Tier 1 General Extension Visa
The eligibility of the applicants is judged by using the Point Based System in which points are awarded on the categories below.
Age (at date of application at first grant):
- Under 28 years = 20 Points
- 28 or under 29 years = 10 Points
- 30 or 31 years = 5 Points.
Qualification:
- Bachelor Degree = 30 Points
- Master Degree = 35 Points
- PhD = 50 Points
Previous Earnings: Your previous earnings will be calculated from any consecutive 12 month period within the last 15 months that you have worked in the UK prior to applying for an extension. Absences during this period may be exempted if the absence was related to work overseas.
|
EARNINGS (£) |
POINTS |
|
£16,000- £17,999.99 |
5 |
|
£18,000- £19,999.99 |
10 |
|
£20,000- £22,999.99 |
15 |
|
£23,000- £25,999.99 |
20 |
|
£26,000- £28,999.99 |
25 |
|
£29,000- £31,999.99 |
30 |
|
£32,000- £34,999.99 |
35 |
|
£35,000- £39,999.99 |
40 |
|
£40,000 or more |
45 |
Work experience in the UK:
Applicants are awarded another 5 points if they can show they have had relevant work experience in the UK.
English Requirement:
You will not need to prove your English language proficiency when applying for a Tier 1 General extension.
Maintenance:
As you will be applying for further leave to remain under the Tier 1 General category you will be required to show maintenance funds for you and your partner for a consecutive period of 90 days prior to the date of application.
Capital Visas can assist you
Capital Visas being a leading specialist in Immigration can help you in every aspect of your immigration process. Our immigration specialists and caseworkers have a wide range of immigration expertise and experience to assist you through the complete process. Fill out our Free Visa Assessment forms by clicking on the link below or call us NOW and speak to one of our friendly specialists on 0207 100 1919.
