Breaking News – Tier 1 (General) scheme to close on 31st March 2011

It has been officially announced by the UK Border Agency today that the Tier 1 (General) scheme will be closing on 31st March 2011.  There is no news about a replacement scheme other than the UKBA will make the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa more attractive.  We believe from the news released that anyone who is already on a Tier 1 (General) visa or an HSMP visa will not be affected by the changes and will be able to apply for their extension under the rules they initially applied under.

To summarise, we would advise anyone that is planning to apply for a Tier 1 visa who qualifies (either General or PSW) to apply as soon as possible to avoid the changes.  Everyone already on a Tier 1 (General) visa should be patient and wait for more information to be released in the coming months.  We are hopeful that you will not be adversely affected by the changes and the UK coalition government will allow commonsense to prevail. We can but hope!  If you would like to get the process underway, please send an e-mail to info@firstmigration.com or call 0203 178 2048.

 

Our Unique Fee Guarantee 

First Migration is pleased to announce that we are the only immigration consultancy in the UK to guarantee your government fees.   In other words should we not get your Tier 1 (PSW) visa approved, we will resubmit your case and pay new Government fees to secure the approval at no further cost to you.  Why apply any other way?  We want you to have full confidence that your visa will be approved first time so why not call one of our expert consultants today and discuss your case?

Overview

The Post-Study Worker programme was launched on the 30th June 2008 by the UK Government to offer overseas students studying in the UK the opportunity to work and remain in the UK for up to two years following their graduation.

The Post-Study Worker programme has replaced all previous scheme for students such as the international Graduate Scheme (IGS), the Science and Engineering Scheme (SEGS) and the Fresh Talent scheme in Scotland. The Post-Study Worker is aimed at graduates of any discipline and is a welcome move by the UK Government.

Eligibility

The Tier 1 Post Study Work visa programme is part of the Tier 1 visa scheme of the new Points Based System introduced by the UK Border Agency. Eligibility is therefore considered on a points based system with a minimum score of 75 points required in addition to a further 10 points for both English language and the maintenance requirement.

Qualification

To qualify for the Tier 1 Post Study Work visa scheme you must have successfully completed a Bachelors, Masters Degree or PhD qualification.

The following qualifications will be awarded 20 points:

• A Bachelors Degree 
• A Masters Degree
• A PhD
  

 

For a list of recognised or listed institutions please click here.

Please note the following qualifications cannot be considered:

• Foundation degrees
• Honorary degrees
• Qualifications awarded in the UK by overseas awarding bodies
• Qualifications undertaken in overseas campuses of UK institutions
• Professional qualifications such as ACCA or CIMA etc are not unfortunately eligible
  

 

Qualification from a UK Listed Institution

Applicants for the Tier 1 Post Study Worker programme will score a further 20 points if the institution they studied at is one of the following:

• Is a UK recognised or listed body
• Is a Scottish publicly funded institution of further or higher education, or at a Scottish genuine (bona fide) private education institution which keeps satisfactory records of enrollment and attendance
• Holds a sponsor licence under the student tier (tier 4) of the points-based system
  

 

Immigration Status 

An additional 20 points can be awarded to applicants if they can show their status in the UK was one of the following during their period of study:

• Student
• Student nurse
• Student resitting an examination
• Student writing up a thesis
• Dependent of someone with leave in any category that allows dependents to join them in the United Kingdom.

 

Date of Award

To be eligible for the 15 points available in this section, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Date of award was within the last 12 months

Please note this date is the date on which you were first notified in writing, by the awarding institution, that the qualification has been awarded.

 

English Language

The 10 points available under the English language requirement will be granted if the applicant score 75 points based on there qualification, the institution studied at, immigration status and the date of award.

 

Maintenance

Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have sufficient available funds to support themselves in the UK to obtain the 10 points avaialble under the maintenance criteria. For applicants under the Post-Study Worker programme, a minimum level of £800 will need to be shown.

If you would like to include any dependents on the application, you will also need to provide evidence of available funds to support them. The following funds must be demonstrated for each dependent:

• Where the applicant has been in the UK for over 12 months - £533 per dependent
• Where the applicant has been in the UK for under 12 months - £1600 per dependent

Contact Us

If you would like one of our OISC registered expert migration consultants to check your eligibility or you would like to proceed with an application, please feel free to contact one of our expert consultants.

 

First Migration and the Post-Study Worker Programme

The Post-Study Worker Programme is a great opportunity for international students to extend their stay in the UK and obtain valuable work experience. To ensure that you benefit from this opportunity, you will need to produce all the correct documentation and in the correct format. First Migration can help you obtain the visa through our experienced and OISC registered team.

So what can you expect from us?

• A dedicated caseworker who will advise you on the exact documentation needed for your application.
• We offer sample letters and documents to ensure you get the right documents
• Feedback on all of your documents eligibility
• We complete the application form
• We write a covering letter both presenting and arguing why your case should be approved
• We represent your case to the Home Office and deal with all correspondence

In addition to this we also ensure:

• A no win, no fee application
• Text and email weekly updates
• Your application is covered by our service guarantee*

 

If you would like to discuss an application or get an application underway, please feel free to contact our London office on 0203 178 2048. Alternatively you can receive a free assessment on your eligibility by clicking on "apply now" link below: