UK immigration visa - Tier 1 – Tier 2 – Tier 3 – Tier 4 – Tier 5

Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4 and Tier 5 UK Visa's

With the introduction of the new UK Tier visa’s, immigration to the UK has undergone one of its largest ever overhauls. Under the new 5 Tier Visa system, applications are judged against a points based system and are now accepted within one of the 5 new tiers.

The new 5 Tier Visa's allow for rationalising of what were in excess of 80 different types of visa applications. Gone are the old favourites such as HSMP (highly skilled migrant programme) and the Working Holiday Visa.

UK visa’s can now be applied for under one of the following:

• Tier 1 Visa – For migrants with desirable skills
• Tier 2 Visa – Skilled workers who have an employment offer
• Tier 3 Visa – For low skilled temporary workers
• Tier 4 Visa – For students
• Tier 5 Visa – Youth Mobility Scheme (previously working holiday visa) and temporary workers

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Tier 1 Visa Summary

The UK Tier One visa replaces the commonly known highly skilled migrant visa and was launched in July 2008.

The Tier 1 visa allows applicants to obtain a permit without having a job offer in place. It is designed to attract migrants with desirable skills and operates on a point based system.

Tier 1 points are awarded for age, qualifications, UK experience and previous earnings.

Tier 2 Visa Summary

The UK Tier 2 visa is for skilled workers who have an employment offer from a UK employer. It is designed to fill gaps in the UK employment market. Qualifications pay a huge role in the amount of points scored, the higher the qualification the higher the score. It is envisaged that Tier 2 applicants will also be scored on their age, experience, English language ability, prospective earnings and ability to maintain themselves.

Tier 2 visa’s also can accessed for jobs that are listed on the skill shortage list

Tier 3 Visa Summary

The UK Tier 3 visa is designed for temporary low skilled workers entering the UK. Tier 3 applications replace schemes such as the old sectors based scheme.

Tier 3 visa's, as with Tier 2 visa's are employee led with the applicant needing a certificate of sponsorship.

It should be noted that Tier 3 visa's offer no route to permanent residency (indefinite leave to remain).

Tier 4 Visa Summary

The Tier 4 visa is for overseas students who wish to come and study in the UK.

Sponsorship for Tier 4 visa's lies with the learning institute who must vouch for the students’ academic ability.

It should be noted that Tier 4 visa's do not offer a route for a permanent stay in the UK (indefinite leave to remain).

Tier 5 Visa Summary

The Tier 5 visa (youth mobility scheme) replaces a number of visa's, amongst them the working holiday visa and the au pair visa.

Tier 5 visa applications are only considered from participating countries, where a reciprocal arrangement is in place.

Available for 30 and under the Tier 5 visa still offers the opportunity for foreigners to travel and work in the UK.

Family Visa's

Family visa's such as the spousal visa, unmarried visa and fiancée via will operate outside of the new Tier visa system.

Details of this can be obtained below