Highly Skilled Workers Category

This section explains how you can apply to live permanently in the United Kingdom (known as 'settlement' or 'indefinite leave to remain') if you are here under the highly skilled worker category (Tier 1 General) the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

How many years you must be in the United Kingdom before applying for settlement

You must complete a continuous period of five years in the United Kingdom in an eligible immigration category before you can apply for settlement, and you must meet all the requirements of the immigration rules before you are eligible to apply.
You should apply using the SET(O) form, which you can download from the button bellow.

What immigration category you must be in to apply for settlement

Under the rules, to satisfy the five-year qualifying period for settlement under this category, you may include any periods of leave (permission to stay) under any of the following immigration categories that immediately precede your time here under the highly skilled worker category:

• Highly skilled worker (Tier 1 General);
• Highly Skilled Migrant Programme; 
• Work permit holder; 
• Innovator;
• Self-employed lawyer; or
• Writer, composer or artist.

The immigration rules are subject to change and you must meet the rules that are in place at the time that you apply for settlement.

How your dependants can apply for settlement

Partners of highly skilled workers are eligible to apply for settlement at the same time as the highly skilled worker, provided they have lived with their partners in the United Kingdom for a minimum of two years before applying for settlement.

Children of highly skilled workers are eligible to apply for settlement at the same time as the highly skilled worker, provided the child meets the requirements of the immigration rules.

 

This section explains how you can appeal against authority's decision if the authority refuse your application under the highly skilled worker category (Tier General) the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

How you can appeal if you are applying from inside the United Kingdom

If you are applying from inside the United Kingdom, your right to an appeal and the process you need to follow will depend on the type of application you have made.

The authority only accept appeals from those applying inside the United Kingdom (known as 'in-country'), who have a statutory right of appeal.

If the authority refuse your application to extend your stay in the United Kingdom you may have the right to appeal. The authority will write to you giving details of why your application has been refused and what action is available to you, including any right to appeal.

If you have a right of appeal you will be provided with full details of your rights and an appeal form that you will need to complete and return.

How you can appeal if you are applying from outside the United Kingdom  - administrative review

If you are applying from outside the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance'), you have a right to an administrative review, which is free of charge.

You must request a review of the refusal within 28 calendar days of the date the refusal notice was issued.

You can only ask for one administrative review for each application that the authority refuses. You should not send any additional documents with your request for a review.

 

This section explains what fee you must pay to apply under the highly skilled worker category (Tier 1 General) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

If you are inside the United Kingdom

This section explains what fee you must pay if you are already in the United Kingdom and wish to apply under the highly skilled worker category (Tier 1 General) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

The fee you must pay

There are two different fees for the highly skilled worker category:

• £350 if you submit a valid HSMP approval letter with your application for initial entry (switching) into Tier 1 General (this is because you have already paid for the approval letter); and 
• £750 for all other applicants (including applications for extension within the highly skilled worker category if you are currently in the United Kingdom under HSMP).

Dependant applications for your spouse, partner or children under 18 which are sent together with your own form are free of charge. Dependant applications for children over 18, or any dependant applications sent separately or later, will have to pay an extra fee of £395.

You must send in your fee or The authority will not consider your application.

How to fill in the payment slip

It is very important that you complete the payment slip correctly. Errors prevent the payment being processed and will delay the decision-making process.

Fill in the details of the person who is making the payment in case the authority has a payment question. If the authority cannot deal with the payment, the application and payment are returned to the contact name and address given in section 1.

Your fee if you withdraw your application

Once your application is received by the payment handling service, the fee is charged and cannot be refunded.

What happens if you send duplicate applications

If you send more than one application, each application will cost the standard fee.

People who are exempt from paying a fee

Nationals of the following countries do not have to pay a fee:
Albania;
Andorra;
Armenia;
Azerbaijan;
Croatia;
Georgia;
FYR of Macedonia;
Moldova;
Turkey; and
Ukraine.

These countries have ratified the 1961 Council of Europe Charter or the 1996 European Social Charter (revised).

If you are outside the United Kingdom

This section explains what fee you must pay if you are outside the United Kingdom and applying under the highly skilled worker category (Tier 1 General) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

The fee you must pay

There are two different fees for the highly skilled worker category:

• £200 if you submit a valid HSMP approval letter with your application (this is because you have already paid for the approval letter), which is payable in local currency; and 
• £600 for all other applicants, which is payable in local currency.

The fee your dependants must pay

Any dependant applications accompanying your application form must pay the same fee as you pay for your application, which is £600 and payable in local currency. If your dependants are applying under the transitional arrangements and you have an HSMP approval letter, your dependants must show a copy of the HSMP approval letter when making their application to confirm that they are entitled to the transitional fee.

Once your fee has been received by the visa application centre, the fee is charged and cannot be refunded.

How to pay inside the United Kingdom

This section explains how to pay the fee when you apply inside the United Kingdom under the highly skilled worker category (Tier 1 General) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

What payment types the authority accept

The payment slip must be filled in fully and accurately.

Payment may be made by:

• A cheque in sterling on a United Kingdom bank account (this should be made payable to Home Office, have your full name and date of birth written on the back and be attached to the front of the completed payment slip); 
• United Kingdom postal order (this should have your full name and date of birth written on the back and be attached to the front of the completed payment slip); or 
• Credit or debit card including MasterCard and Visa. The authority will only accept Delta, Switch and Maestro (including Electron and Solo) if issued in the United Kingdom. Include the card number, the amount paid, the payer's name as it appears on the card, valid from and expiry dates, card verification value (CVV) code, signature and date. The issue number is also needed for Switch and Maestro cards.

Payment by any other method is not accepted.

You must send the full amount to cover the total cost of the application, or the authority will not consider your application and will return both the application form and part payment to you.

The authority starts considering the application when the payment has cleared. Clearance takes place:

• After five working days for cheques; 
• After one working day for credit or debit cards; and 
• Immediately for postal orders.

Using a payment handling service

You can use a government-approved payment handling service to help with your application. It will check that:

• A payment is needed; 
• The payment slip is completed correctly; 
• The payment method is correct; 
• The application has been marked correctly as paid or free from charge; and 
• The payment has cleared.

The payment handling service is independent from the authority and does not process any applications.

How to pay outside the United Kingdom

Go to UKBA's visa services website, if you are applying from outside the United Kingdom. There you can find out more about the process in the country you are applying from and download the application forms.

 

This section explains if you are inside the United Kingdom when you should use the change of circumstances form or the points-based system, what information you need to complete it and where you should send it.

When to use the change of circumstances form

You should use this form to notify us of any changes to your details if you are in the United Kingdom. This includes:

• Changes to an application before it has been decided; 
• Changes to an application after it has been decided; or
• The type of change, for example, to your contact details.

You must fill in the form in block capitals using a black pen. Please enter all dates as dd-mm-yyyy, for example 29-04-2000.

What information you need to complete the change of circumstances form

You will need the following information to complete the form:

• A description of the change you want to make; 
• Your PBS reference number; 
• Your representative's reference number (if appropriate); 
• Your date of birth; and
• Your nationality.

Where to send the change of circumstances form

You should send your form to:

UK Border Agency
Change of circumstances form
PO Box 3468
Sheffield
S3 8WA

 

This section explains where you should send your completed application form for the highly skilled worker category (Tier 1 General) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

Where to send the form if you are applying from inside the United Kingdom

Before sending us your form, you should make sure you fill in all sections that apply to your application.

Attach your cheque or postal order for the fee to page 1 of the application form, and send them with your supporting documents and passport(s). You can send in more documents as long as they reach us before a decision has been made.

Your application must arrive during normal business hours (0830 to 1630, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays), or receipt cannot be guaranteed.

You should send your form to:

UK Border Agency
Tier 1
PO Box 496
Millburngate House
Durham
DH99 1WQ

If you would like to send your application by courier, you should send it to:

UK Border Agency
Tier 1
Millburngate House
Durham
DH97 1PA

If you are sending applications for your dependants at the same time as your own application, make sure all applications are sent together in one envelope so any eligible  dependant applications are considered free of charge. Dependant applications sent separately or later will have to pay a fee and the authority will not consider them unless you pay the right fee.

If you are a dependant applying separately (not at the same time as the main applicant), you should send your form to:

UK Border Agency
Tier 1 (Dependants)
PO Box 496
Millburngate House
Durham
DH99 1WQ

If you would like to send your application by courier, you should send it to:

UK Border Agency
Tier 1 (Dependants)
Millburngate House
Durham
DH97 1PA

Where to send the form if you are applying from outside the United Kingdom

Go to UKBA's visa services website, if you are applying from outside the United Kingdom. There you can find out more about the process in the country you are applying from and download the application forms.

 

Click Here for Extension Application, Supporting Evidence & Documents Return Policy

Click Here for Supporting Documents on Your Previous Earnings, Bank Statement etc.

Click Here for Supporting Documents on Your UK Experience & English Language etc.

Click Here for Supporting Documents on Maintenance (Funds) & Dependants

Need More Assistances & Supports?

Write us at immigration@biniaminindustries.com or call us at our international hotline +88-(0)-1713-114660