Detailed Guide to Points System
Call the London Office on +44 (0)844 991 9222 for a HSMP consultation or an appointment.
Introduction
The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) has undergone three major changes since being introduced on 28 January 2002. The first change on 28 January 2003 meant that far more people could come under HSMP. The latest changes of 7 November 2006 has left the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme as one of the most accessible skilled immigration programmes of any "Western Country" in the world; however, it is about to be replaced by Tier 1 (General), part of the UK's new five-tier points based system.
You will find further details of the November 2006 changes in our introduction page. Please see our Summary of UK HSMP Changes, as of 17 November, 2006.
Points are awarded on the basis of a number of factors:
- Age Assessment
- Qualifications
- Earning Power
- UK Experience
- English Language Ability
- Other Requirements
- Your Points Score
1. Age Assessment - 20 points (maximum)
The British Government feels that it is preferable to give points in a "young person assessment". Because of their age, they will remain in the workforce for longer. Also, younger people will not be able to gain as many points compared to older people under the past earning category.
| 27 years of age or under | 20 points |
| 28 or 29 years of age | 10 points |
| 30 or 31 years of age years of age | 5 points |
| 32 years of age or over | 0 points |
2. Qualifications - You will gain points for one of the following
(Maximum 50 points):
| PhD | 50 points |
| Masters Degree (eg MA, MSc or MBA) | 35 points |
| A Bachelors Degree (eg BA, BSc) | 30 points |
| Vocational and Professional Qualifications - Based on Equivalency to above UK Qualifications |
You will gain points based on degree level qualication, or professional level qualifications. Unfortunately, there are no extra points for a 4 year Bachelors degree rather than a three year degree, or for having more than one degree at any given level (eg BSc and Beng, or MSc and MBA). If you wish to score points based on professional qualifications you will need to show the equivalency of this to the relevant British Qualification. This will need to be validated with the National Academic Recognition Information Centre Database.
If you have attended one of 50 eligible MBA programmes and graduated since 2 December 2004, you may be eligible under the MBA provision of the HSMP.
3. Earning power - Your points score will depend on the points allocated for a particular salary level in a particular geographical area of the World
(Maximum 45 points).
There is a general expectation that highly skilled people usually earn more than average. However, earnings are related to local income levels as well as an individual's skills, so the income level required to achieve a given number of points is linked to the country where you live. Please note that what matters is where you are living, not your nationality - an Indian national on an H1B should have the same earning power as a US national of similar ability, and should not be judged by the earning power of an Indian national still in India. You will find the number of points for each salary level for your part of the World below:
Country Code A - Partial list, including USA, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, see full list »
- £16,000 per annum = 5 Points
- £18,000 per annum = 10 Points
- £20,000 per annum = 15 Points
- £23,000 per annum = 20 Points
- £26,000 per annum = 25 Points
- £29,000 per annum = 30 Points
- £32,000 per annum = 35 Points
- £35,000 per annum = 40 Points
- £40,000 per annum = 45 Points
Country Code B - Partial list, including Argentina, Seychelles, Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Malaysia, Bahamas, South Korea, see full list »
- £7,000 per annum = 5 Points
- £8,000 per annum = 10 Points
- £9,000 per annum = 15 Points
- £10,000 per annum = 20 Points
- £11,500 per annum = 25 Points
- £12,500 per annum = 30 Points
- £14,000 per annum = 35 Points
- £15,313 per annum = 40 Points
- £17,500 per annum = 45 Points
Country Code C - Partial list, including Egypt, Iran, Philippines, Russia, Peru, China, South Africa, Brazil, Colombia, see full list »
- £5,000 per annum = 5 Points
- £5,600 per annum = 10 Points
- £6,300 per annum = 15 Points
- £7,200 per annum = 20 Points
- £8,100 per annum = 25 Points
- £9,100 per annum = 30 Points
- £10,000 per annum = 35 Points
- £11,000 per annum = 40 Points
- £12,500 per annum = 45 Points
Country Code D - Partial list, including Angola, Azerbaijan, India, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Yemen, Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, Vietnam, see full list »
- £3,000 per annum = 5 Points
- £3,400 per annum = 10 Points
- £3,800 per annum = 15 Points
- £4,300 per annum = 20 Points
- £4,900 per annum = 25 Points
- £5,500 per annum = 30 Points
- £6,000 per annum = 35 Points
- £6,600 per annum = 40 Points
- £7,500 per annum = 45 Points
Country Code E - Partial list, including Afghanistan, Cambodia, Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, Nigeria, Ghana, North Korea, Chad, Sierra Leone, see full list »
- £1,400 per annum = 5 Points
- £1,600 per annum = 10 Points
- £1,800 per annum = 15 Points
- £2,000 per annum = 20 Points
- £2,300 per annum = 25 Points
- £2,550 per annum = 30 Points
- £2,800 per annum = 35 Points
- £3,100 per annum = 40 Points
- £3,500 per annum = 45 Points
4. UK Experience - 5 Points (Maximum)
You can gain five points under the following circumstances:
You gain points under the past earnings category and your earnings were in the UK.
or
You have studied and graduated at Bachelors degree or higher in full time education in the UK or at a UK based overseas educational institution for at least one academic year.
5. English Language Ability
You need to have a bachelors degree that was taught in English (not a Masters degree or PhD).
or
You need to possess an International English Language Testing System qualification at least at Band 6 less than two years old.
6. Other Requirements - As well as gaining enough points under this category you will need to meet the following requirements.
- You can continue to work in your chosen field in the UK. If necessary, you will need to show relevant qualifications and professional membership to work in certain occupations in the UK.
- You can support yourself without recourse to public funds - this can be demonstrated on the basis of either savings or earning potential
- You intend to make the UK your main home
- You have either never been made bankrupt or are considered to be a discharged bankrupt.
- You have never been convicted of any criminal offences.
7. Your Points Score - You can estimate your points by adding together your points score for section 1 to 5 above. You need a minimum of 75 points to qualify
| Qualifying Criteria | Maximum Points | Your Score |
|---|---|---|
| Young Person Assessment | 20 | |
| Qualifications | 50 | |
| UK Qualification or UK Work Experience | 5 | |
| Earning Power | 45 | |
| Total | 120 |
If you do not qualify under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, there are other options available to you:
You may also wish to check the other requirements section to see whether you meet all the requirements for this programme.
If you think you may qualify, please go to our form and we will reply with a quote.
If you do not qualify under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, there are other options available to you:
- Work Permit programme - if you have a job offer from a UK company which wants to employ you in a role for which it can not find an EU national, you may be able to get an employer sponsored work permit.
- Innovator programme - if you have an original business idea, especially one in the technology sector, you may be able to come to the UK to set up in business.
Otherwise, you will find details of other immigration categories at the main UK page.
