Highly Skilled Workers: Applying

This page explains what highly skilled workers should do when applying under the highly skilled workers scheme. Highly skilled workers should read our page on eligibility first, to make sure you meet the requirements to apply.

Highly Skilled Workers: When to Apply

The Home Office advises that highly skilled workers who are currently in the UK should apply under the highly skilled workers scheme at least 1 month before their current entry clearance expires.

Highly skilled workers are strongly recommended to read our supporting documents page to ensure they send the relevant documents with their application.

Applying In the UK

If you are in the UK and wish to change your entry clearance to the highly skilled workers scheme you will only be able to do so if you currently hold one of the following categories of leave:

• Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland;

• International Graduates Scheme (IGS);

• postgraduate doctor or dentist;

• student;

• student nurse;

• student re-sitting an exam;

• student writing up a thesis;

• work permit holder.

If you application is succesful under the highly skilled workers scheme, you will be allowed to live and work in the UK for up to 3 years. After 3 years, highly skilled workers will need to extend their stay under the highly skilled worker scheme.

Highly skilled workers leave to remain is subject to the following conditions:

• no access to public funds;

• registration with the police is required;

• you may not be not employed as a doctor in training unless:

  • you were last granted entry clearance, or leave to enter or remain, as a highly skilled migrant or as a postgraduate doctor or dentist;

  • you were last granted entry clearance or leave to remain as a Tier 1 (General) migrant and that grant was not subject to a condition prohibiting employment as a doctor in training;

  • you submit a valid Highly Skilled Migrant Programme approval letter, and your application for that approval letter was made on or before 6 February 2008.

Outside of the United Kingdom

If you application is succesful under the highly skilled workers scheme, you will be allowed to live and work in the UK for up to 3 years. After 3 years, highly skilled workers will need to extend their stay under the highly skilled worker scheme. When the end of this period approaches you will need to apply to extend your stay as a highly skilled migrant under the highly skilled migrant progamme.

Leave is subject to the following conditions:

• no access to public funds;

• registration with the police is required;

• you may not be employed as a doctor in training unless you submit a valid HSMP approval letter with your application, and the application for that approval letter was made on or before 6 February 2008.

Back to our working in the UK highly skilled workers section.

 

Please note CK and Jones is not currently providing any immigration advice until we become regulated by the OISC. Please browse our visa information sections in the meantime and use the contact us page to leave us a message.

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