UK immigration for highly talented people
Talented people with exceptional skills, abilities or experience will be able to apply to come to the UK to seek work under the new Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), Home Office Minister Lord Rooker announced on 13th December 2001.
From January applications will be assessed on a points-based system of qualifications and experience. To be considered for the scheme an applicant will need to obtain a minimum of 75 points from the five following scoring areas:
- Educational qualifications;
- Work experience;
- Past earnings;
- Achievement in chosen field; and
- A specific category that will help facilitate the recruitment of suitably qualified overseas doctors to work as GPs in the UK.
HSMP differs from the work permit scheme as it does not require an employer to obtain a permit from the individual. It is also different from the existing business routes (e.g. the Innovators scheme or other business categories), in that it does not require a detailed business plan or investment in the UK.
The scheme will initially be run as a concession outside the current Immigration Rules.
The programme will run for an initial period of 12 months and will begin on January 28th 2002.
Educational qualifications
This area provides for a maximum of 30 points for those holding a PHD, 25 for those with a Masters degree and 15 for those with a Graduate Degree.
Work Experience
Score 15 points for at least 5 years' work experience in a graduate level job (three years with a PhD) Additional 10 points for two years working at a senior level or in a specialist position within chosen field.
Past Earnings
This area requires demonstration of a minimum earned income in the country of residence. In order to reflect differences in income level across the world the level required to qualify varies depending where the applicant lives.
In addition earnings that have not been declared to the appropriate authorities will not be accepted when calculating income.
The income levels required are as follows:
EU States, USA, Canada, Australia, Bermuda, Israel, Japan, South Korea
- 40,000 per annum = 25 Points
- 100,000 per annum = 35 Points
- 250,000 per annum = 50 Points
Poland, Brazil, South Africa, Libya, Hungary, Chile, Mexico, Estonia, Turkey
- 25,000 per annum = 25 Points
- 60,000 per annum = 35 Points
- 150,000 per annum = 50 Points
Jamaica, Russia, Iran, Morocco, Peru, Tunisia, Thailand, Algeria, Romania
- 20,000 per annum = 25 Points
- 50,000 per annum = 35 Points
- 125,000 per annum = 50 Points
China, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sudan, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Bangladesh
- 15,000 per annum = 25 Points
- 35,000 per annum = 35 Points
- 90,000 per annum = 50 Points
Applications
Applications must be made before entry into the UK at the nearest British Embassy or High Commission. The applications will be referred to a central unit of Immigration staff based in Sheffield in the United Kingdom.
Successful applicants will be granted leave to enter the UK for one year, and after this further leave to remain will be granted where evidence of employment is supplied.
In-country switching will be allowed for those already in the UK in categories leading to settlement, or who are already explicitly permitted to switch into work permit employment. This will allow, for example, graduating students and doctors to apply for the HSMP providing that they meet the following criteria:
- have extant leave to remain in the UK;
- are not subject to enforcement action;
- do not have an appeal outstanding; and
- in the case of graduating students and doctors, that they have not been sponsored by their overseas government.
The programme will run for an initial period of 12 months and will begin on January 28th 2002. Proof for all the criteria must be supplied with the individual's application in support of their claim. Under the HSMP applicants will initially be given 12 months' stay in the UK, towards the end of that period applicants can apply to remain in the same capacity for a further period of up to three years. After four years as a highly skilled migrant, applicants can apply for settlement.