Highly Skilled Migrant Programme - HSMP

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

• Age
• Education
• Earnings
• UK Experience
• English Language
• Other Requirements for HSMP
• HSMP Points scoring

The UK HSMP scheme (Highly Skilled Migrant Program) means you do not need an employer to make you a job offer. Nor do you need to satisfy the requirements of business based permits like the Innovators Scheme or other business visa categories. You simply need to be highly skilled at what you do in order to qualify for the HSMP Visa (UK Highly Skilled Migrant Programme).

You will need to show that you can support yourself financially in the UK while you find work without recourse to public funds. You do not have to score points in every area of the HSMP application but you must obtain a minimum of 75 points in order to qualify for HSMP and evidence your English language abilities. We will assist you in determining this and will be unable to recommend application for the Highly Skilled Migrant Program should 75 points not be obtained.

For New HSMP Applications:

• 30 or 31 years of age - 5 points
• 28 or 29 years of age - 10 points
• 27 years of age or less - 20 points

For HSMP Extension Applications:

• 32 or 33 years of age - 5 points
• 30 or 31 years of age - 10 points
• 29 years of age or less - 20 points

The ages listed above must be the case at the time of application. This means on the day that the Home Office receive your application.

Qualifications have to be to the recognised British standard of Bachelors, Masters or PhD to be awarded the respective points towards HSMP for each level of qualification.

• Bachelors Degree (eg BA, BSc) - 30 points
• Masters Degree (eg MA, MSc or MBA) - 35 points
• Phd - 50 points

Vocational and professional qualifications can also score points towards the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme in this area if satisfactory evidence can be produced to show the qualification is equivalent to an applicable level British qualification. This will be validated, where necessary, by reference to the National Academic Recognition Information Centre database by the HSMP Team.
This category requires you to demonstrate a minimum earned income in your country of residence to score points. In order to reflect differences in income levels across the world the level required to qualify varies depending where you live. The country you are living in (or where your income is earned) is considered, not your nationality.

For example a Chinese National residing and working in the United States of America would be required to demonstrate a minimum annual income level over the past twelve months of £26,000 in order to score 25 points, whilst a Canadian National working in South Africa would be required to demonstrate an minimum annual income level over the past twelve months of £8,100 to score 25 points

It is important to note that not all income will be considered. Unearned income such as dividends from investments (unless it is in a company in which you are active in day to day management), property rental income, and interest on savings or funds received through an inheritance are not used when calculating your income. Earnings from part-time employment can also be considered.

You need to show your income in the country where you live now. Of course there are different levels of income depending on where you live. The country codes linked from below will establish this for you. All earnings need to be declared.

Country Code A ( Full List )

e.g. Germany, France, Sweden, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, Bermuda, Japan, Singapore

• £16,000+ - 5 points
• £18,000+ - 10 points
• £20,000+ - 15 points
• £23,000+ - 20 points
• £26,000+ - 25 points
• £29,000+ - 30 points
• £32,000+ - 35 points
• £35,000+ - 40 points
• £40,000+ - 45 points

Country Code B ( Full List )

e.g. Portugal, Spain, New Zealand, Poland, Hungary, Argentina, Mexico, Czech Republic, South Korea, Saudi Arabia

• £7,000+ - 5 points
• £8,000+ - 10 points
• £9,000+ - 15 points
• £10,000+ - 20 points
• £11,500+ - 25 points
• £12,500+ - 30 points
• £14,000+ - 35 points
• £15,313+ - 40 points
• £17,500+ - 45 points

Country Code C( Full List )

e.g. Jamaica, Russia, Iran, Bulgaria, Romania, Peru, Egypt, Turkey, South Africa, China

• £5,000+ - 5 points
• £5,600+ - 10 points
• £6,300+ - 15 points
• £7,200+ - 20 points
• £8,100+ - 25 points
• £9,100+ - 30 points
• £10,000+ - 35 points
• £11,000+ - 40 points
• £12,500+ - 45 points

Country Code D ( Full List )

e.g. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cameroon, Guyana

• £3,000+ - 5 points
• £3,400+ - 10 points
• £3,800+ - 15 points
• £4,300+ - 20 points
• £4,900+ - 25 points
• £5,500+ - 30 points
• £6,000+ - 35 points
• £6,600+ - 40 points
• £7,500+ - 45 points

Country Code E ( Full List )

e.g. Nigeria, Cambodia, Nepal, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia

• £1,400+ - 5 points
• £1,600+ - 10 points
• £1,800+ - 15 points
• £2,000+ - 20 points
• £2,300+ - 25 points
• £2,550+ - 30 points
• £2,800+ - 35 points
• £3,100+ - 40 points
• £3,500+ - 45 points

A full list of countries can be found here.

If you have lived in more than one country during the past twelve months your income will normally be assessed against the country where you have spent the longest period, on a pro-rata basis. In addition, if you have been seconded overseas and your salary continues to be paid elsewhere, the country where you receive your salary would normally be considered. For example if you have spent eight of the last twelve months in the United Kingdom and four in Nigeria, we will take your earned income in the United Kingdom divide it by eight and multiply it by twelve to give an annual income figure. You will then be allocated points appropriate to that figure.

You can claim 5 points if you have previous experience of living in the UK if either:

• You have successfully scored points under the previous earnings category and your earnings were in the UK; or
• You have studied and graduated at bachelors degree level or higher in full-time higehr education in the UK, or at a UK-based overseas educational institution for at least one full academic year.

If you are claiming UK Experience points based upon your education then you must have achieved your qualification within the most recent 5 years after studying for at least one year or three consectuive terms making up a period of a full year.

It is now a requirement of HSMP that you can evidence your English language ability. Suitable evidence of your ability to speak English to a sufficient level can include:

• an IELTS Test Report Form, issued in the two years prior to the date that the application was received by Work Permits (UK), at Band 6 or above; or
• evidence that you hold a Bachelors degree that was taught in English, and is of an equivalent level to a UK Bachelors degree.

It is important to note that a Masters Degree or a Phd obtained in the UK will not be accepted as evidence of your English language ability. It may be the case that you have an English Language Certificate that is considered equivalent to IELTS Level 6, in which case this might be accepted as evidence of your English language ability.

In addition to scoring at least 75 points in the above areas you will also need to demonstrate:

• Your ability to continue to work in your chosen field in the United Kingdom.
• That you have enough savings and/or potential income to be able to support yourself and your family. You will not be allowed any use of UK public funds (for example income support) whilst in the United Kingdom with permission to stay under the programme.
• That you are willing and able to make the United Kingdom your main home. We will ask you to provide a written undertaking to that effect. You will be expected to make the UK your country of habitual residence. Secondments abroad that are an integral part of a job based in the UK are permitted by HSMP, however they will be considered as time outside of the UK for settlement eligibility purposes. To qualify for settlement in the UK you must have spent a continuous period of five years in the UK except for short holidays or business trips. Any secondment that requires you to be outside the UK for a continuous period of over three months will make your previous stay in the UK ineligible as a continuous period in the UK.

Add up your points score from the score areas above. You need a minimum 75 points and the other requirements listed from the below maximums:

• Age 20
• Education 50
• Earnings 45
• UK Experience 5

Total 120

The amount and type of evidence required to support your application will depend on your previous experience and your future plans. The evidence you submit should support any statements you make. For example if you say that you have a degree you will need to provide your degree certificate.

You should submit original documentation as evidence (with certified translations if necessary). It should be from a clear source and relevant to your application. (Please be selective, as submitting a large amount of irrelevant or poor quality documentation may extend the consideration of your application).

The HSMP application form asks you a number of questions about your plans in the United Kingdom. You will need to submit the type of evidence suggested above to support your replies to those questions.

Your spouse and dependant children under the age of 18 may apply to accompany you or to join you in the UK. They will also need to seek entry clearance for this purpose before travelling to the United Kingdom. If entry clearance is approved your spouse and dependant children will be granted leave to enter on the same conditions of stay as yourself. They will be able to work if they wish. All dependants of in country applicants should be listed on the FLR application. Please note that spouses and dependant children's continued stay in the United Kingdom is conditional on them remaining in the United Kingdom as your dependants.

If your application is successful you will be given permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for a period of two years. In the last month before the end of that period you will be able to apply for further permission to stay as a Highly Skilled Migrant. You will normally be given permission to remain for a further 3 year period.


If you have been granted permission to stay in the United Kingdom as a Highly Skilled Migrant for five years and wish to remain in the United Kingdom on a permanent basis you can apply at the end of the five year period for permanent residence. This is otherwise known as indefinite leave or settlement. In addition those applicants who have been approved under HSMP and are applying for permanent residence as a highly skilled migrant will be able to amalgamate leave to remain under HSMP with previous leave from other categories that lead to settlement. For example if you had previously stayed in the UK with 2 years leave for work permit employment and then switched to the HSMP you would be eligible to apply for settlement after a further 3 years in the UK as a highly skilled migrant. Further information on whether an immigration route leads to settlement can be found here.

If you meet the requirements for settlement your spouse and children under the age of 18 will also be able to obtain permanent residence with you.

If the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme is not for you and you do not qualify under this scheme, there are other ways you can come and work in the UK:

• EEA - for EEA Nationals wishing to come to the UK as self employed or to start a business.
• Innovators - with an innovative business idea and the right supporting evidence, particularly if its IT related, you can come to the UK to start a business.
• Work Permits - if a company wishes to employ you and has made you an offer, you may be able to get a work permit, particularly if your skills are in short supply in the UK and no-one else has been found by that company from the EU.

There are additional forms that need to be completed to make an application for the Highly Skilled Migrant Program.

Please feel free to contact us or try our UK HSMP Points Calculator.

Global-Emigration can make application directly to the Home Office in the UK on your behalf. If your application is approved, we will provide you with your official letter of approval for the Highly Skilled Migrant Program, at which point you may take this to your nearest British embassy or consuate in your country of residence to obtain entry clearance. Your initial permit will be for two years after which you can stay for up to 3 years if you meet the HSMP Extension criteria. After that you can apply for residency.