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Immigration Law

HSMP Extensions

In Spring 2008, immigration to the UK underwent a complete process of reform, replacing most of the current system of UK visas and UK work permits with a five tier points-based immigration service.

The new system has replaced specialist routes to living and working in the UK such as the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, or HSMP, and superseded the UK work permit visa system, streamlining and rationalizing the wide variety of immigration visa services available at present.

The Program (HSMP) was created for highly skilled individuals wishing to remain or to come to the United Kingdom to work as employed or self-employed persons. You do not need a prior offer for a job or to take up self employment opportunities in order to have your visa application approved by the Home Office's Immigration and Nationality Directorate. You can apply to come and seek for jobs or self-employment opportunities in the United Kingdom. We can apply for you directly to Work Permits (UK), obtain an official approval letter and than prepare the application for the British Embassy or the Consulate in the country where you are resident. If you are currently living in Great Britain and hold a visa, but not a visitor one, we can make the application here for you directly with the Home Office.

Extending your stay (switching)

This section explains how you can apply to extend your stay (switch) in the United Kingdom under Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker of the points-based system if you are:

* already in the United Kingdom under Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category;

* already in the United Kingdom under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and want to extend your permission to stay and are eligible to switch into Tier 1.

If you have not previously been given permission to stay in either of these categories, you should read the section on initial applications.

If you are granted leave to remain as a Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled migrant worker from inside the United Kingdom, you will be able to live and work in the United Kingdom for a maximum period of three years. When the end of this period approaches you will need to apply to extend your stay.

Extending your stay is dependent on the following conditions:

* you have no recourse to public funds;

* you register with the police if this is needed by paragraph 326 of the immigration rules;

* you are not employed as a doctor in training unless:

a) you have been granted entry clearance, or leave to enter or remain as a highly skilled migrant or as a post-graduate doctor or dentist;

b) you have been granted entry clearance or leave to remain as a Tier 1 (General) -

highly skilled worker migrant and that grant was not subject to a condition prohibiting employment as a doctor in training;

c) you submit a Highly Skilled Migrant Programme approval letter, where the application for that approval letter was made on or before 6 February 2008.