Overview

If you are applying for a Tier 1 visa and you are presently working through an umbrella company, as a contractor through a limited company or on a self employed basis, your application will be more complex than if you were working as a standard salaried employee. This should not however discourage you from making an application for a Tier 1 visa, but you should note that the documents required will differ slightly. The rest of the application i.e. age, education, UK experience, English language and maintenance remains exactly the same.

If your earnings are not from salaried employment, then there are 2 main rules that apply to alternative earnings:

• The documents provided must cover the full period of earnings you wish to claim for, i.e. tax returns from the previous year do not substantiate your earnings over the last 12 months. 
• You must produce at least 2 independent forms of evidence, which verify the earnings that you are claiming for

 

The above rules can be applied to earnings for workers through an umbrella company, for contractors and for those claiming earnings through self employment. See the relevant section below for details on the requirements, if you are still unsure, feel free to contact one of our agents on 0203 178 2048.

 

Earnings Through an Umbrella Company

If you have been working as a contractor but not through your own limited company or as an employee, then you will have been working through an umbrella company. This is a tax efficient way of working on short term contracts and is popular with working holiday makers. If you have worked in this way you will need to provide the following documentation:

• Payslips
• Accountants letter
• Bank statements

 

Please note the figure considered by the Home Office is your gross taxable pay, which isn't necessarily your hourly rate. Due to the unconventional set up, deductions are often taken before establishing your gross taxable pay.

Unsure on your eligibility? Call us on 0203 178 2048 to discuss your application.

Earnings Through a Limited Company

If you have been working as a contractor through your own limited company you will generally have been paid a salary and/or dividends as this is the most tax efficient way of operating. When you have been paid in such a manner you must provide the following:

• Payslips and dividend vouchers
• Bank statements
• Accountants letter

 

Please note that the figures considered by the Home Office are the gross salary and net dividend.

Unsure on your eligibility? Call us on 0203 178 2048 to discuss your application.

Self Employed Earnings

If you have been working on a self employed basis you will need to substantiate the net profit achieved from self employed activities. The documentary evidence required for this is as follows:

• Business or company accounts (profit & loss and balance sheet)
  
• Accountants letter
• Invoices
• Bank statements
• 2 Forms of official documentation to show the self employment is genuine
  

 

Please note that the earnings considered are based on the net profit of the company and not the turnover / revenue.

Unsure on your eligibility? Call us on 0203 178 2048 to discuss your application.

 

First Migration and Non-Salaried Earnings

If you have been working in any manner other than salaried employment it can be confusing and time consuming to try and understand how much you have earned and what documents must be supplied in order for the application to be approved. In addition to this, a lot of contradictory information is posted on the internet, which can make matters even more confusing.

At First Migration we deal with a variety of non-salaried applications on a daily basis and we fully understand the process and the requirements. For all applications you can rest assured that we will secure your approval quickly and efficiently. For all non-salaried earning applications you will find that First Migration will:

• Never charge you any additional fees because your case is more complex
• Offer no win, no fee on your application
• Provide templates and draft letters to ensure the information you request is always what is needed
• Complete the whole application process from start to finish

 

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, our service or any other aspect of Tier 1 (General) we will be happy to assist you. Please contact us on 0203 178 2048 or submit a free online assessment.