HSMP eligibility for uk Immigration has chang

House of Commons have now issued a Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules – 18th March 2010.

This confirms changes to the Tier 1 General scheme which will take place on the 6th April 2010.

Changes to the Tier 1 scheme appear to be in line with the recommendations by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), and therefore I can confirm the following criteria changes for any applications submitted on or after the 6th April 2010:

Re-introduction of points awarded for a Bachelor degree

Increase in minimum income requirement. Minimum income £25,000. Maximum income £150,000

Introduction of automatic allocation of 75 points if the applicant previously earned £150,000 + (no degree required)

Additional points for the age category – points to be awarded for individuals aged up to 39 years old

Initial visa period to be reduced to 2 years, plus a 3 year extension

Below is the points table for the attributes section for the Tier 1 General scheme – 6th April 2010:

Highest Previous earnings Age UK experience
Qualification

Points Points Points Points

Bachelor’s 30 £25,000–£29,999 5 40 and over 0 5
Master’s 35 £30,000–£34,999 15 35–39 5
PhD 45 £35,000–£39,999 20 30–34 10
£40,000–£49,999 25 29 and under 20
£50,000–£54,999 30
£55,000–£64,999 35
£65,000–£74,999 40
£75,000–149,999 45
£150,0000+ 75 (no degree required)

The Tier 1 General policy guidance for the new rules has not yet been published by the UKBA. We have been given no further details of the date in which the new forms & guidance will be published, and as such only when the new guidance has been issued can we fully assess the new points requirements & supporting documentary evidence.