There are a raft of new changes being made to the HSMP which will come into force over a staggered time frame. As and when we got more information we will update this page accordingly.
The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) was created for highly skilled people wanting to settle or migrate to the UK to work on a self-employed or employed basis. Applicants coming to the UK to under the HSMP programme are not required to have a prior job offer; under the new HSMP guidelines, you can apply to come for a UK work permit in order to seek work in the UK. Applicants who are not currently living the UK can apply through the HSMP programme to secure a UK work permit. If you are currently in the UK and hold a UK visa other than a tourist visa (see our UK Visas sections for further details of the many UK Visa types) you can apply for a UK work permit through the HSMP directly with the Home Office.
The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) has undergone three major changes since being introduced on 28 January 2002. The first change on 28 January 2003 meant that far more people could come under HSMP. The latest changes of 7 November 2006 has left the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme as one of the most accessible skilled immigration programmes of any country.
Under the HSMP points are awarded based on a number of criteria:
Points are awarded on the basis of a number of factors:
The British Government feels that it is preferable to give points based upon your age. Their arguement for this approach is that younger people will remain in active in the labour market for longer. This approah is balance out however as the HSMP takes account of past earnings, which are dependant on age and experience.
Under 28 years of age |
20 points |
28 or 29 years of age |
10 points |
30 to 31 years of age |
5 points |
Applicants under the HSMP will gain points based on their degree level qualication. Professional qualifactions do count towards an applicant's points, however, under the HSMP an applicant is required to show the British equivelent of their professional qualifaction. There are no extra points available if an applicant holds more than one of the same class of degree (e.g. a BSc and a BA) or if they studied a 4 year as opposed to a 3 year degree programme. If you have attended an MBA programme and graduated after 2 December 2004, you were previsouly eligible for automatic entry through the MBA provision of the HSMP (please see our HSMP MBA provision page). However, following recent changes to the HSMP system, candidates of this calibre should be able to accumulate enough points to qualify for a UK work permit.
PhD |
50 points |
Master's Degree (eg MA, MSc or MBA) |
35 points |
Bachelor's Degree (eg BA, BSc) |
30 points |
There is a general expectation that highly skilled people usually earn more than average. However, earnings are related to local income levels as well as an individual's skills, so the income level required to achieve a given number of points is linked to the country where you live. Under the old system the points you received were linked to where you lived in the worldwide. However, under the proposed new HSMP the earnings scale has been standardised and is as follows:
£16,000 - 17,999 |
5 points |
£18,000 - 19,999 |
10 points |
£20,000 - 22,999 |
15 points |
£23,000 - 25,999 |
20 points |
£26,000 - 28,999 |
25 points |
£29,000 - 31,999 |
30 points |
£32,000 - 34,999 |
35 points |
£35,000 - 39,999 |
40 points |
£40,000 + |
45 points |
Should any of the above HSMP criteria have been achieved in the UK an applicant will receive a further 5 points.
In order for an applicant to pass this section of the HSMP a minimum of 75 points is required.
Applicants will need to prove their competence in English language by proving they:
The full list of 'majority English speaking countries' are as follows:
The pass mark for this HSMP criterion is 10 points.
A new requirement of the HSMP is that applicants have access to a pre-determined amount of cleared funds. Currently this is set at £2,800, comprising of a £400 fee and available funds of £2,400.
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