The UK’s Highly Skilled Migrant Visa was borne out of a need to lure skilled man-power into the United Kingdom. The Visa is usually offered to professionals with skills which are in short supply in the United Kingdom.
Eligibility for the United Kingdom’s Highly Skilled Migrant Visa is based on a point system. The points are awarded to various attributes. These attributes include age, work experience and past income. One must score a minimum of 75 points to qualify for a Highly Skilled Migrant Visa.
The qualifications attribute focuses on an applicant’s educational background. To earn points an applicant must have a UK academic certification or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
An MBA is awarded 75 points, PhD 50 points, Masters 35 points and Bachelors 30 points. The qualifications mentioned should be verified by the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC).
The previous income/financial attribute points are awarded based on an applicant’s 12 months earnings out of 15 months prior to lodging the application. This attribute is applicable to both the employed and the self-employed.
For the self-employed audit records are required as proof of earnings. Bonus points are awarded for those working for United Kingdom firms and organizations.
This attribute offers applicants the opportunity to claim points if they can prove that during the 12 months in question they were either on adoption/maternity leave or were engaged in study full time.
In order to calculate the points across different countries, the countries which are eligible for the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa are grouped into 5 bands. Each band of countries is assigned a multiplication value to calculate the pound equivalent of one’s earnings.
In addition to the above attributes, one must demonstrate the desired English proficiency skills and prove ability to sustain oneself financially. If any of these requirements is not met then application for the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa will be rejected.