• Provide information, guidance and process work permit applications for your prospective employee to work in the UK.
• Provide the most efficient ways for your staff to remain in the UK.
• Assist with the set up of new companies in the UK and any associated 'Sole Representative' visas.

We process visa applications such as students, visitors, marriage, Investors, Innovators, Highly Skilled Migrants, Business persons, Commonwealth Working Holidaymakers, permanent residency, British Nationality and all the applications under the Point Based System recently launched.

We can provide detailed legal advice and guidance on all of the following:

• Tier 1 (General)  
• Tier 1 (Post Study Work) 
• Tier 2 applications (Work Permits, Extensions & Changes of Employment)
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)  
• Visitor Visas  
• Spouse / Dependent Visas  
• Student Visas

The Points Based System

The new PBS system has 5 categories:

• Tier 1: Highly skilled individuals.
• Tier 2: Skilled workers with a job offer
• Tier 3: Low skilled workers (to fill temporary labour shortages)
• Tier 4: Students
• Tier 5: Youth mobility and temporary workers

For each Tier, applicants will have to score enough points to qualify. Points will be given for attributes such as qualifications, age, earnings, etc. The system will be introduced gradually. Tier 1 was launched on 29th February 2008 and Tier 2 was launched on 27th November 2008.

TIER 1 – HIGHLY SKILLED MIGRANTS
This category does not require a company sponsorship and an applicant can qualify based on his / her own merits. The process will involve filing only one application whether the applicant is applying in or out of the UK. Applicants, except for post study, will be granted 3 years extendable for a further 2 years.

Tier 1 has 4 subcategories which are:

• General (Highly Skilled): this is very similar to the old HSMP scheme.
• Entrepreneurs: applicants will have to prove that they have access to at least £200,000.
• Investors: applicants will have to prove that they have a minimum of £1million in their possession – successful applicants will not be able to work whilst in the UK under this subcategory.
• Post-Study Work: this subcategory has replaced the International Graduates Scheme (IGS) – successful applicants will be able to remain in the UK for 2 years – the time spent in the UK under this subcategory will not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Applicants applying under Tier 1 will need to prove sufficient knowledge of the English language and they have enough funds to maintain themselves and their family in the UK without having recourse to public funds.

TIER 2 SKILLED WORKERS WITH A JOB OFFER
To qualify applicants will be required to score 50 points. Points will be awarded based on a combination of the following attributes:

Tier 2 Required Attributes:

• Qualifications
• Prospective earnings
• and whether the role is on the shortage list or passed the resident labour market test or the applicant is an intra company transferee.

Tier 2 is a job led category which has replaced the work permit scheme. To qualify the applicant will need to show that he has a job offer from a UK employer registered with the UKBA. The role will need to be on the shortage list. If it is not, the employer will need to have advertised it and satisfied that there were no resident workers available to fill the position (this is often referred to as the resident labour market test). The applicant will need to be able to show that he has the relevant qualifications and experience to carry out the tasks required by the role. The salary will have to be in line with market rates. The applicant will also have to demonstrate that he has sufficient knowledge of the English Language.

The role will not need to be on the shortage list or to have been advertised when the applicant qualifies as an intra company transferee. To qualify the applicant will need to show that he has worked for the employer abroad for at least 6 months, the role requires someone with at least NVQ Level 3 qualification/or equivalent experience and that the salary offered is in line with UK market rates.  

Applicants will be allowed to come to the UK for the duration of their contract up to a maximum of 3 years. This may be extendable to a further 2 years

TIER 3 – LOW SKILLED MIGRANT
This Tier is not expected to be introduced until the end of 2008. It is likely that there will be a quota in place and that it will be limited to certain countries with which the UK has arrangements with. It will only apply to temporary shortages.

TIER 4 – STUDENTS
Under this Tier the educational institutions will have to sponsor the students. Only institutions on the list of approved sponsors will be able to sponsor students.

TIER 5 – YOUTH MOBILITY AND TEMPORAY WORKERS
This Tier will replace the current schemes (Working Holidaymaker, BUNAC, au pairs etc.) This route will allow applicants to come to the UK for a period of 2 years. Applicants will not be able to extend their leave in the UK or switch into a different category.