The UK used to run a programme called the ‘Highly Skilled Migrant Programme’ or HSMP.  This was the first ‘points based’ visa that the UK offered – if you could demonstrate that you scored enough points through your level of qualifications, your earnings and so on, you would be eligible to apply for a UK visa under this programme for highly skilled workers.

UPDATE: The HSMP no longer exists – it was replaced by Tier 1 (General) which has also now been closed as of 6 April 2011. There is at present no like-for-like replacement.

However, HSMP was a cumbersome process – the applicant had to send his/her application to a government department in Sheffield, in the UK, for them to assess. This application had to include all original documentation, involving sending precious degree certificates and so forth by international mail.

Once assessed in Sheffield, the applicant would be sent a letter confirming if the application was successful or not. If successful, this letter could be used to make a visa application at the nearest British Mission that issued visas.

So in other words it was a long, two-step process, with each step incurring an application fee.

Tier 1

The UK therefore decided to consolidate these two steps when it introduced the full Points Based System in 2008/2009. The new way to apply as a highly skilled worker was not through the HSMP (which no longer exists), but under Tier 1 of the Points Based System. This was a one-stop shop, that simply involved applying directly to your nearest visa-issuing British Mission.

However, please note that as of 6 April 2011 Tier 1 (General) also closed to new applicants. The other Tier 1 routes – Entrepreneur, Exceptional Talent and Investor – remain open at present.  Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) also closed in April 2012 with no like-for-like replacement.