The applicants are awarded points for:

Qualification;

Earning power;

Age;

The ability to claim UK experience;

This means that once you get the HSMP letter from the UK Home Office, your visa will be automatically extended. It will not be necessary to apply separately for the leave to remain.

Yes, there are additional criteria that the applicant must meet and although they are not gaining points the following requirements are binding:

• Proficiency in English;
• Proof of your will to continue working in the chosen field;
• Proof that you can support yourself without using UK public funds;
• Proof of your intention to make UK your main home;
• Evidence you have never been convicted of any criminal offenses;
• Evidence you have never gone bankrupt.

No, there are no age restrictions. However you gain points only if you are under 34 years of age.

No.

All the required documents should be originals, relevant and directly appropriate to the particular criterion and if issued in another language should be translated by a certified translator recognized by the British High Commission or Embassy:

• Your current passport and those of your dependants applying with you.
• Application form completed and duly signed by you;
• Application charge;
• Documents showing qualification:
• Documents showing relevant work experience: the position held should demonstrate either graduate, senior or specialist level experience;
• Documents showing earning power;
• Documents showing your English skills level;
• Providing with suitable evidence that you are able and willing to make the UK your main home – you will be asked to provide a written undertaking to that effect;
• Certificate showing no previous convictions.

Those whose original period of approval under HSMP was granted under the MBA Provision should be aware that, in order to qualify for an extension of your leave under HSMP, you will need to meet the full Points Scoring requirements that apply to all other HSMP extension applications.

Any applicant whose original period of approval was granted under this category will, in order to qualify for an extension under HSMP, need to meet the full points scoring requirements that apply to all other HSMP extension applications. Only in circumstances where such applicants are able to establish that they meet the minimum required score of 75 points, will their application be likely to succeed.

There are arrangements which allow for a further period of leave to be granted to applicants who have failed to meet the minimum of 75 points, but still cover the English Language Requirements. They should be able to demonstrate that they have established themselves in business in the UK during their preceding period of leave under HSMP.

Yes. Once the application process is complete you will receive your documents back. If you need your documents back before this time, please contact us so that we organize this.

We would advise you not to make any plans for non-urgent travel outside the UK until we have returned your own and any dependants’ passports or travel documents.

If you do wish to travel outside the UK whilst your application is still with the Home Office (UK), then your application will need to be withdrawn. In these circumstances your documents and passport will be returned to you. You will not receive a refund. If you still wish to pursue your application a new application will have to be made at a later date, and include a new fee.

The Immigration Rules allow an extension of stay as a Highly Skilled Migrant to be granted for a period "not exceeding three years". However, in light of the changes to the Immigration Rules which came into effect on 3 April 2006, which increased the qualifying period for settlement from four to five years, you may be granted a four year extension.

No, the minimum requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain is now 5 years. You should apply for Further Leave to Remain, which is normally granted for 3 years. You can then apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain as soon as you reach the 5-year qualifying period.

The UK Immigration authorities do not specify the terms as they depend on their workload.