What is Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP)

The Highly Skilled Migration Programme (HSMP) provides highly educated people with specialised and/or exceptional skills, the opportunity to come to the UK to live and work. A key feature of the HSMP is that applicants do not need to have a prior offer of employment.

Who can apply ?
Any person who is working as a specialist or at a senior level or a well paid individual can apply. This means even secretaries, sales officers, etc can apply.

How long will it take to process my application ?
Minimum 3 months.

How long can one stay in the UK entering as a skilled migrant?
You will initially be given 12 months stay. If you want to remain in the UK under the HSMP, you should apply for an extension of your stay in the last month before the expiry of your permission to stay in the UK. After four years in the UK as a highly skilled migrant you can apply for settlement. The main criteria for settlement will be that you have spent a continuous period of four years in the UK (except for trips abroad of three months or less, totalling less than six months in the four year period)in a category leading to settlement and that you continue to be economically active in the UK as a highly skilled migrant.

What will one need to do to qualify to stay after the first 12 months?
You will need to show that you are lawfully economically active or, if you are not, that you have taken all reasonable steps to become lawfully economically active (e.g. evidence of several job application forms or a business plan).


Requirements of HSMP (UK Immigration)

* As per revised rules of HSMP, only original documents can be submitted.

Principal applicant
• Proof of age: birth certificate/ school leaving certificate or passport
• Educational qualifications - degree certificate and mark sheets for all years
• Work experience certificates for all companies you have worked in. FOr current employer, appointment letter and salary slips for last few months. In addition, you can enclose promotion/ salary revision letters, tax returns
• Tax returns if you are claiming points for income
• For self employed individuals, we will need balance sheets, profit and loss statements, income tax returns for atleast 3-5 years. In addition, copies of client/ supplier references, contracts/ agreements are desirable
• Documents evidencing "senior level" or "specialist" work experience OR "significant/ exceptional achievements". Applicable only if you are claiming points for this

Spouse's Documents
These documents are required ONLY if you are claiming points for spouse skills.
• Proof of age: birth certificate/ school leaving certificate or passport
• Educational qualifications: degree certificate and mark sheets for all years
• Marriage certificate
• Proof that you are married for more than 2 years. Eg. telephone/ electricity bill, joint bank accounts, investments, society bill, property documents etc.


* The application form you will need to complete will depend upon your age group. If you are 28 years of age or over, you should apply on form HSMP 1. If you are under 28 years of age, you should apply on form HSMP 1(28).

* Passport of children is not required at the approval stage. These will however be required at the entry clearance stage (post approval of HSMP visa).


UK HSMP Visa Information

These are the areas where you can score points towards the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (UK HSMP Visa):

1 - Education --- 30 pts available
2 - Work experience --- 50 pts available
3 - Earnings --- 50 pts available
4 - Achievements --- 50 pts available
5 - HSMP - Priority Applications - For Doctors --- 50 pts available
6 - Partners --- 10 pts available

See All Jobs  |  Jobseeker Registration  |  Jobseeker Login  |  Advanced Job Search