Indo UK Immigration Consultancy

Tier 1 Faq

	TIER 1 (GENERAL) Visa Basic Requirement
	The UK Border Agency has set specific requirements that all applicants must meet in order to apply for a Work visa under the Tier 1 (General) category. To qualify for migration under the Tier 1 (General) category, you must be able to satisfy the basic visa requirements related to your age, English language ability, qualification, previous earnings, UK experience and available maintenance (funds). These attributes will be assessed in a points test and you must obtain at least 10 points for each of English language ability and maintenance (funds); and a minimum of 75 points for the other attributes. The point allocation is configured such that applicants must hold a recognized qualification to meet the minimum requirements.

	TIER 1 (GENERAL) Visa Entitlements
	Successful applicants are granted temporary residence under the Tier 1 (General) visa and are allowed to live and work or set up a business in the UK without any restrictions. As a temporary resident, successful applicants will have free access to public schools, and subsidized tertiary education for their dependants. Eligible dependants may also be able to work or study without any restrictions. A Work visa under Tier 1 (General) is initially granted for three (3) years with the ability to apply for further stay and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR entitles individuals to permanent residency in the UK . Permanent residents may also be eligible to sponsor their family for migration to the UK and apply for British citizenship.

	What is the Points Based System (PBS)?
	Points Based System (PBS) is a new system for managing migration for those wishing to enter the UK for work or study. The full background to the Points Based System is available on the Borders and Immigration Agency website

	When is it due to start?
	Points Based System was launched in the UK on 29 Feb. The system will be gradually phased in throughout 2008 and 2009. Tier 1 is aimed at attracting applicants who have the very highest skills or who wish to establish themselves in business or to invest in the UK. The Tier 1 (General) route is the replacement for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. Their dependants living overseas will be able to apply for entry clearance at UK diplomatic missions designated as visa issuing posts or through Visa Application Centres (see below) in the same way they would do for other types of application.

	Who qualifies as a dependant?
	If you are the husband, wife, civil partner/ eligible partner or a child under 18 of a successful Tier 1 (General) Migrant applicant, you can join him/her as a dependant in the UK if: • You have a visa for this purpose, and • You will be financially supported without needing any help from public funds. Partners (married, unmarried, same sex) must intend to live together and the relationship must be subsisting. You must be maintained and accommodated in accordance with the paragraph on Maintenance (Funds) and you must not intend to remain in the UK beyond any period of leave granted to your partner/parent. Dependent children must be able to demonstrate that they have not formed their own independent family, are unmarried and not leading an independent life. If, as a dependent child, you have previously been married or formed a civil partnership, or lived in a relationship that is similar to marriage or civil partnership, you will usually be considered to have formed an independent family and will not be eligible to enter the UK as the dependant of your parents. Although dependent children may seek employment whilst in the UK you must remain financially dependent on your parents in order to qualify for leave to remain in the UK as a dependant

	What do I need to make an application?
	You will need entry clearance, but will not yourself be entering the UK under PBS. You will need to satisfy similar conditions to those in Paragraphs 194-199 of the Immigration Rules which can be found on the Borders and Immigration Agency website. You will need to make your application online or fill in the following visa application form: Application form VAF2 - Employment Employment form guidance notes You will also need the following: Your passport or travel document; A recent passport sized photograph(Please note - photographs should measure 45mm x 35mm and be: In color taken against a white background; Clear and of good quality and not framed or backed; Printed on normal photographic paper; Full face, and without sunglasses, hat or other head covering, unless it is worn for cultural or religious reasons. If the application is successful, the photographs provided will be reproduced on the visa vignette). The visa fee. This cannot be refunded and you must normally pay it in the local currency of the country where you are applying. Your biometric details (see below); Supporting documents relevant to your application.

	What supporting documents should I include with my application?
	You should include all the documents you can to show that you qualify for entry to the UK as a dependant of the successful Tier 1 (General) applicant. If you do not we may refuse your application. All documents must be original unless otherwise stipulated.As a guide you should include: • Evidence of your relationship with the main applicant; • Evidence that the main applicant will be able to support you and live without needing any help from public funds; • A copy of the pages from the main applicant's passport showing they have permission to stay in the UK.

	How much money will I need for my Maintenance (Funds)?
	If the main applicant is outside the UK or has been present in the UK for less than 12 months you must be able to show that there is at least £1600 to support each dependent. If the main applicant has been present in the UK for 12 months or more, there must be at least £533 available to support for each dependant.

	What documents would I need to show for Maintenance (Funds)
	You should provide one or a combination of the following in respect of yourself or the main applicant: • Personal bank or building loan statements covering a period of 3 months; • Savings account pass book/s covering a period of 3 months; • Letter from your bank confirming level of funds and that they have been held in the bank account for at least 3 months. These must all be original documents, on the official letter-headed paper or stationery of the organization and bear the official stamp of that organization. These should show your name and account number, or those of the main applicant.

	What are public funds?
	Under the Immigration Rules, if you want to travel to the UK you must be able to support yourself and live without claiming certain benefits. A full list of public funds is available on the Border and Immigration Agency website. You can find more information about public funds in the Immigration Directorate Instructions (IDIs) and Immigration Rules on the Border and Immigration Agency website.