Instructing Entry Clearance Services to process your Tier 1 General application

ECS offers a low cost express application processing solution. We can facilitate the filing Tier 1 (G) applications via the UKBA's current postal facility.

Our fee: from £250
Home Office fee: £750

TIER 1 GENERAL (Highly Skilled Migrant)

If you are in the UK on a work permit sponsored by your employer and you are facing the possibility of being made redundant or simply wishing to gain control over your immigration status, you should consider apply for a Tier 1 General Migrant Visa.

Foreign workers currently in the UK under the International Graduate or Post Study Worker Scheme can extend their leave under Tier 1 General Migrant providing they qualify.

Working holidaymaker visa holders are also able to apply under this category but only on an out of country basis
In case of redundancy, applicants are strongly recommended to lodge their Tier 1 (G) application promptly.

Do I qualify?

To qualify under the Tier 1 General Migrant Scheme, an applicant will need to score 95 points which will include at least 75 points for the attributes, 10 mandatory points for the English Language and another 10 mandatory points for maintenance.

How many points do I score?

TIER 1 GENERAL ATTRIBUTES:

QUALIFICATIONS

PREVIOUS EARNINGS

UK EXPERIENCE 

AGE

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

All applicants must score 10 points under this category.

An applicant will be awarded the 10 points if s/he can demonstrate that s/he:

1. - Has a ‘knowledge of English equivalent to level C1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language Learning or above
   AND
   •  Provides original English language test certificate from an approved English Language Test Provider which shows applicant's name, qualification obtained; and date of the award; OR
   •  Academic qualification deemed by UK NARIC to meet or exceed recognised standard of a Bachelors or Masters or PhD degree in the UK ;
   OR
   
2. - Is a national of one of the following countries:
   •  Antigua and Barbuda
   •  Australia
   •  The Bahamas
   •  Barbados
   •  Belize
   •  Canada
   •  Dominica
   •  Grenada
   •  Guyana
   •  Jamaica
   •  New Zealand
   •  St Kitts and Nevis
   •  St Lucia
   •  St Vincent and The Grenadines
   •  Trinidad and Tobago
   •  The USA ;
   OR
   
3. - Has obtained an academic qualification, which is deemed by UK NARIC to meet or exceed the recognised standard of a Bachelors or Masters or PhD degree in the UK , from an educational establishment in one of the following countries:
   
   •  Antigua and Barbuda
   •  Australia
   •  The Bahamas
   •  Barbados
   •  Belize
   •  Dominica
   •  Grenada
   •  Guyana
   •  Ireland
   •  Jamaica
   •  New Zealand
   •  St Kitts and Nevis
   •  St Lucia
   •  St Vincent and The Grenadines
   •  Trinidad and Tobago
   •  UK
   •  The USA
   OR
   
4. - Has or was granted leave as a Tier 1 (General) Migrant,
   OR
   •  Has or was granted leave as a Highly Skilled Migrant after 5 December 2006 .

MAINTENANCE

All applicants must score 10 points under this category.

An applicant will be awarded the 10 points if s/he can demonstrate that s/he has had and still has the prescribed amount of funds for the three months preceding the lodging of his/her application:

Applicants already in the UK in an immigration category which allows them to switch into Tier 1 General Migrant

Applicants applying from outside the UK at the British Embassy in their country of usual residence (Entry Clearance)

In addition to the above applicants wishing to include their DEPENDANTS in their applications will have to demonstrate that
£1 600/£533 per dependants.

WHAT NEXT?

The processing time for Tier 1 General Migrant visa varies greatly depending on whether the application is filed in or out of the UK . You should bear in mind that you will be required to submit your supporting documentation, including your passport, for the whole duration of the process.

We understand that the UKBA will offer a say day premium service for Tier 1 General Migrant Visas from early 2009.

 Please note that the rate of refusal is at present quite high. It is therefore recommended that you ensure that your documentation is in line with the UKBA's guidance before you proceed. In most cases should your documentation be insufficient or unsuitable, your case will be rejected and your fees retained by the authorities. Should this be the case it is unlikely that you will be allowed to appeal unless your leave/visa has already expired.

ECS can assist you with the gathering of the necessary supporting documentation so that to ensure disappointment and unforeseen additional costs.

If you wish to benefit from our experience and expertise in filing Tier 1 General Migrant application please contact us.

To carry out an assessment of your application we will require the following:

• your nationality
• your date of birth
• awarding institution for your highest qualification indicating start and finishing date of the course, year of the award, name of the awarding institution, country the course was taught in
• your gross earnings over the last 12 months

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