Please note that the HSMP is about to be replaced by Tier 1 of the new UK Immigration five-tier System.

There are several sections in which you can gain points from in order to make up the 75 points needed for entry into the UK under the HSMP or General Highly Skilled Migrants sub-category. These sections are broken down into the following:

Age Assessment

Under this section you can gain a maximum of 20 points. The British Government will grant you more points the younger you are. Younger skilled migrants will remain in the work force longer than the older generation who have already lived through most of their working life. This section provides the following points:

• 27 or under - 20 points
• 28 or 29 - 10 points
• 30 or 31 - 5 points
• 32 and over - 0 points

Qualifications

You will gain entry points based on your degree level qualification. A maximum of 50 points are available from this section. It should be noted that no extra points will be granted if you have undergone a four year bachelor degree or if you have more than one degree of the same level. If you have a vocational or professional qualification which is equivalent to that of a British degree you need to make this known before applying under the points scheme. You will receive points for the following:

• Bachelor’s degree - 30 points
• Masters degree - 35 points
• Doctoral degree - 50 points (maximum)

Under the current points scheme you are able to gain 75 points automatically if you have an MBA from a specific university. It should be noted however that this will be changing shortly and will no longer apply.

Earning Power

This section of the points system is not only related to your job skill, it is also linked to the local income levels of the country you are living in; for example a doctor in the USA and a doctor in Nigeria will not be earning the same amount of money. The amount you earn for the job you do depends on the economy of the country that you live in. To find out more visit our Income Assessment page.

UK Experience

This section of the points system will award you a maximum of five points. The points from this section can be gained based on what job you were working within the income section. Any experience that you have had of working within the UK will severely help you when it comes to gaining points.

English Language Ability

For entry through the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) you need to have a good English language ability. You should have either completed a bachelors degree that was taught in English or you need to possess an international English language testing system qualification of at least a Band 6 that is less than two years old.

If you are successful in your application via the HSMP it should be noted that you may still need to apply for entry clearance at the nearest British Embassy or High Commission. The applications will be referred to a central unit of Immigration staff based in Sheffield in the United Kingdom.

If you do not qualify via the HSMP due to not gaining the full 75 points you may want to think about applying via a different route. We have information about various routes into the UK here at immigration consult so have a look to find an entry which is best suited to your skills and needs.