The UK has introduced a number of new UK immigration, naturalization, UK visa, work permit and UK working visa categories in the last few years. The points based skilled immigration category the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), introduced in January 2002, proved to be very successful.

However, the HSMP has been replaced by Tier 1 (General), part of the UK's new five-tier points based system which will encompass all work, study, and training immigration routes into the country. People seeking extensions to their HSMP visa are now required to extend their leave to remain under Tier 1 (General) for General Highly Skilled Migrants. Since April 2008, applicants located in India have been required to file initial highly skilled migrant applications under the Tier 1 (General) rules. This was followed by the rest of the world on 30 June 2008 as the Tier 1 (General) scheme fully replaced the HSMP.

This is a inform to everyone that the UK immigration cap that will affect Tier 1 visas and Tier 2 visas will come into effect on 19th July 2010. The interim cap will be introduced on 19 July 2010 ahead of the long term cap to be introduced in April 2011. The applicants are require to score 100 points as against 95 points. Effective from 19th july 2010.

English language [10 points available]

The ability to meet the required English standard is a mandatory requirement.  If you cannot meet this level, your application will be refused regardless of any points you may have scored in the Attributes section. 10 points are awarded in this section if you meet the required standard and 0 if you do not.

There are three ways in which you can meet this requirement.  You can:

• Be a national of a majority English speaking country on the following list - Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Christopher (Kitts) and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States of America
or
• Hold an English language qualification equivalent to the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language Learning level C1 (approximately IELTS level 6.5, GCSE Grade C)
or
• Hold a degree that was taught in English as confirmed by the UK NARIC database as equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree.

Maintenance (Funds) [10 points available]

You must be able to support yourself for the entire duration of your stay in the UK without needing any help from public funds. In order to qualify under Tier 1 (General) Migrant you must be able to demonstrate that you have £2,800 for yourself and (where applicable) £1,600 for each dependant accompanying you and that you have held these amounts for a minimum period of 3 months immediately preceding and dated no more than 1 month prior to the date you submit your application.  The balance should not fall below the required minimum at any time during the 3 month period.