UK Immigration Process and Visa Services

Migrants from regions other than the European Economic areas (EEA) have to go through the UK Immigration services and visa processing which is based on a 5 tier visa system.  This process is aimed at segregation of the UK visa applicants into five tiers. A point based assessment differentiates the visa applications in each tier which are accorded based on the parameters like the applicant’s age, experience and ability.

What are the 5 tiers?

• Tier1:  the very few “high value migrants” with exceptional talent fall in this visa category.

• Tier2: this visa category covers “skilled workers” migrating on job offers transfers.

• Tier3: UK government has not authorised any “Tier3 visa application” which is for low-skilled workers aiming at compensation of shortfall in this working class in EEA.

• Tier4: students from outside of EEA, aged 16 and above are categorised in this visa category. These students need to have an “admission confirmation letter” from a UK university to apply.

• Tier5: this visa category is for “temporary workers” and has further six sub tiers. A maximum of 55, 000 youth have been migrating to work in the UK on this visa application every year.

An expert immigration lawyer has complete understanding of the various categories and processes the application through the system to provide you with a UK visa in a time efficient way.

What is the point based assessment system?

The points structure in each tier is so designed to have an applicant gain a minimum score to qualify for an entry or extend the current visa.  For applicants in Tier 1 and Tier 2, the points are based on the parameters of age, experience and ability, some grace points are also allotted to applicants in situations of proven future meeting of the skill shortage if any. Tier 3 points are useless to discuss, as this visa has never been given and a good lawyer will advise you to not apply in this category. Tier 4 visa for students has point system based on admission confirmation at UK university/educational institute, English oral and written skills and funds to cover education and living expenses. Tier 5, as discussed earlier has 6 sub categories of creative and sporting persons, charity worker, religious workers, government authorised exchange, international agreement and the youth mobility scheme. The youth mobility scheme are awarded points based on their nationality, age (18 – 30), available cash fund and a minimum of 1,800 Euros cash reserve. For applicants in Tier5 category visa, points are based on a valid sponsorship certificate.

What is the sponsorship certificate applicability for different tiers?

The UK immigration and Visa services are quite complex and detailed and there are sponsorship clauses in all tiers. An immigration lawyer can help you understand the required legit paperwork. Under tier 5 a legit sponsorship certificate is mandatory for all applicants; under tier 2 and 4 also a licensed sponsor is required. Similar to sponsor clause, in tier 1, exceptional talent needs an endorsement by a “Designated Competent Body”.

Change in Visa or Tier status

The UK government provisions for change over from one visa type to another and it is best dealt by trained immigration lawyers who have extensive experience in UK immigration and Visa services.

Immigration lawyers and UK Immigration services

The lawyers equip you with efficiency and reduced risk when applying for a UK visa. Lawyer can save you a processing time of 4 – 8 weeks and specialize in the regulations avoiding you a rejection or a – apply again with more evidence reply from the immigration authorities.