Tier 1 Visa - General stream

This page has been updated to reflect the upcoming changes to the Tier 1 visa (General) category. The changes will take effect on 19 July 2010 and will see an increase to the number of points required to qualify under Tier 1 (General). The changes will also provide for the application of a limit on the number of applications approved under the Tier 1 (General) visa category.

In addition to satisfying the language and maintenance requirements of the Tier 1 visa stream, applications under the Tier 1 General sub-category are assessed according to the applicant's qualifications, previous earnings, age, and any work experience or qualifications earned in the UK.

Specific Requirements – Tier 1 General visa

The minimum pass mark requirement is 80 points, with points for the Tier 1 General sub-category awarded in accordance with the following attributes:

Qualifications
Applicants will be awarded points for their highest qualification as follows:

  • Bachelor degree - 30 points
  • Masters degree - 35 points
  • PhD - 40 points

Previous earnings
(Non-sterling currencies are converted to sterling - the overall figure takes account of regional differences between earnings)

  • £150,000 or above - 80 points (plus no qualification required)
  • £75,000 - £149,999 - 45 points
  • £65,000 - £74,999 - 40 points
  • £55,000 - £64,999 - 35 points
  • £50,000 - £54,999 - 30 points
  • £40,000 - £49,999 - 25 points
  • £35,000 - £39,999 - 20 points
  • £30,000 - £34,999 - 15 points
  • £25,000 - £29,999 - 5 points
  • Under £25,000 - 0 points

Age
Candidates will be awarded points depending on their age as below. No points are awarded in this category for applicants aged 40 or older.

  • Over 40  - 0 points
  • 35 to 39 - 5 points
  • 30 or 34 - 10 points
  • 29 or under - 20 points

Previous earnings or qualifications in the UK
Applicants may also be eligible for a further 5 points where they can show either proof of previous earnings in the UK of over £25,000, or proof of qualifications gained whilst in the United Kingdom.

English language competence and maintenance requirements

In addition to scoring a total of 80 points or more for the attributes outlined above, you must also score 10 points for meeting the English language competence requirements and 10 points for meeting the maintenance requirements by showing that you can support yourself and any dependants without access to public funds.

Tier 1 General visa extension

Tier 1 visas in the General sub-category can be extended, with the extension requirements remaining largely the same as the requirements for the original application. Please note however that points originally awarded for the applicant's age at the time of the first application will be carried over. Furthermore, no additional evidence is required in relation to the applicant's English language ability and no additional proof will be required with regard to maintenance, unless the applicant intends to switch to a different tier category.