Highly Skilled Migrants Program

The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) is no longer in existence. It was initially  replaced by the Tier 1 (General), a sub-category of the first tier in the UK's five-tier points based system. However, this category has since been discontinued. If you are highly skilled and would like to live and work in the UK or you are looking to extend your leave to remain with your current HSMP visa, you will be required to qualify under a different visa category.

Visas which may be suitable include the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa for people who are considered to be leaders or emerging leaders in a small number of fields, as well as the Tier 2 visa for skilled workers. For more details please see our dedicated Tier 1 visa guide and Tier 2 visa guide.

The UK Highly Skilled Migrant Programme was an excellent UK immigration category for entry to the UK for successful people with sought-after skills. It was in some ways similar to the skilled migration programs for entry to Australia and Canada. The system has been replaced by Tier 1 (General) of the UK's new points based system. Tier 1 (General) uses very similar critieria to the HSMP.

If you are unable to come to the UK under the categories mentioned above you will find details of other immigration categories at the main UK page.

Further information, help, and advice

Workpermit.com's team of specialists has over 25 years of experience in immigration services, and have helped thousands of people to study and work in the UK. We work with OISC registered advisers who can submit your UK visa application to the Home Office to be dealt with on the same day.

For more information and advice on UK immigration law and UK visa applications please contact us on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com