The Tier 1 (General) category allows highly skilled people to look for work or self-employment opportunities in the UK. Tier 1 (General) migrants can seek employment in the UK without a sponsor, and can take up self-employment and business opportunities here.

This category is now closed to applicants who are outside the UK.

Do you need to apply under the points-based system?

You do not need to apply under the points-based system if:

• you are an EEA or Swiss national;
• you are a British overseas territories citizen, unless you are from one of the sovereign base areas in Cyprus;
• you are a Commonwealth citizen with permission to enter or stay in the UK because at least one of your grandparents was born here; or
• you have no conditions or time limit attached to your stay.

If your husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner (or one of your parents, if you are under 18) has permission to stay in the UK under Tier 1 (General), you can apply as a dependant.

If you have an HSMP approval letter

If your HSMP approval letter was issued under the requirements in place before 7 November 2006, and you obtained entry clearance or permission to stay in the UK on the basis of the letter, you may be affected by the HSMP Forum Ltd judicial review judgment of 8 April 2008. You are not affected by this judgment if you joined the HSMP under the arrangements in place from 5 December 2006.

If your HSMP approval letter was issued on the basis of an application made before 7 November 2006, and you obtained entry clearance or permission to stay in the UK on the basis of that letter, you may be affected by the HSMP Forum Ltd judicial review judgment of 6 April 2009.

Eligibility:

To be able to apply, you must meet all the requirements of the Immigration Rules.

Are you in an eligible immigration category?

You can apply to extend your stay in the UK under Tier 1 (General) if you are already in the UK with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in one of the following immigration categories:

• highly skilled migrant
• writer, composer or artist
• self-employed lawyer
• Tier 1 (General)
• Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), if you are eligible to switch into Tier 1 (General).

If you are not in one of the categories above, you cannot apply to Tier 1 (General).

How many points do you need?

Your total points score must be at least 95 points if you currently have permission to stay in the UK as:

• a Tier 1 (General) migrant under the Immigration Rules in place before 19 July 2010;
• a highly skilled migrant;
• a writer, composer or artist; or
• a self-employed lawyer.

If you are in any other eligible category, your total points score must be at least 100 points (unless you are covered by the HSMP Forum judicial review judgment - see below).

Your total score must include 10 points for English language skills and 10 points for maintenance (funds).

How can you score points?

The points available are as follows:

* If you do not score points in these areas, your application will be refused, even if you have scored a total of 95 or 100 points in other areas.

How dependants can come to the UK?

If your application to the points-based system is successful, your dependants (children under 18 years of age, or your husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner) can apply for permission to join you in the UK.

How dependants can extend their stay?

If you have dependants who wish to remain with you in the UK, you or they should complete the separate dependant application form.

If you and your dependants apply at the same time, and submit your application forms in the same envelope, they will be eligible to pay a reduced application fee. Each dependant should state on their application form whether they are submitting their application at the same time as your application.

They should also state the category under which you have made an application.