High-value migrants

This section explains whether and how you can come to the UK under Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) of the points-based system.

Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) is for people who are internationally recognised as world leaders or potential world-leading talent in the fields of science and the arts, and who wish to work in the UK.

Before you apply, you must read the Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) policy guidance, which you can find on the right side of this page. The policy guidance is based on Part 6A of the Immigration Rules.

Do you need to apply under Tier 1 (Exceptional talent)?

Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) is part of our points-based system, which is for migrants from outside Europe. You do not need to apply under the points-based system if:

• you are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland;
• you are a British overseas territories citizen, unless you are from one of the sovereign base areas in Cyprus;
• you are a Commonwealth citizen with permission to enter or stay in the UK because at least one of your grandparents was born here; or
• you have no conditions or time limit attached to your stay.

There are many immigration categories for workers within the points-based system. If you do not qualify to come to the UK under Tier 1 (Exceptional talent), the Working in the UK section contains information about all the other categories.

Limit on Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) applications

The UK government has limited the number of applications that can be made under Tier 1 (Exceptional talent).

Every initial application must be endorsed by a ‘designated competent body’. There is a limit of 1,000 endorsements between 6 April 2012 and 5 April 2013.

The endorsements will be assigned to the designated competent bodies in 2 phases: 500 will be available from 6 April 2012 to 30 September, and the second 500 from 1 October 2012 to 5 April 2013. The total will be divided between the designated competent bodies as follows:

The number of endorsements available will be divided between each of the designated competent bodies in that field, as agreed between the Home Secretary and those bodies.

This section explains whether and how you can apply to enter or remain in the UK under the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category of the points-based system.

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) is for non-European migrants who want to invest in the UK by setting up or taking over, and being actively involved in the running of, a business or businesses here.

Before you apply, you must read the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) policy guidance, which you can find on the right side of this page. The policy guidance is based on Part 6A of the Immigration Rules.

Doing business in the UK

The UK is the ideal location for entrepreneurs to achieve growth and success. To find out more about the UK offer and how UK Trade & Investment can support your business, visit the UK Trade & Investment website.

Do you need a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa to come to the UK?

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) is part of our points-based system, which is for migrants from outside Europe. You do not need to apply under the points-based system if:

• you are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland – the European nationals section describes your right to work in the UK;
• you are a British overseas territories citizen, unless you are from one of the sovereign base areas in Cyprus;
• you are a Commonwealth citizen with permission to enter or stay in the UK because at least one of your grandparents was born here – the UK ancestry section explains how you can apply; or
• you have no conditions or time limit attached to your stay.

This section explains whether and how you can apply to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 1 (Investor) of our points-based system.

The Tier 1 (Investor) category is for high-net-worth individuals who want to make a substantial financial investment in the UK.

You do not need a job offer to apply in this category. We will assess your application based on your ability to invest £1,000,000 in the UK.

Before you apply, you must read the Tier 1 (Investor) policy guidance, which you can find on the right side of this page. The policy guidance is based on Part 6A of the Immigration Rules.

Find out more about investing in the UK

The UK provides the ideal location for global companies to thrive. To find out more about the UK offer and how UK Trade & Investment can support your business, visit the UK Trade & Investment website.

Do you need a Tier 1 (Investor) visa to come to the UK?

Tier 1 (Investor) is part of our points-based system, which is for migrants from outside Europe. You do not need to apply under the points-based system if:

• you are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland – the European nationals section describes your right to work in the UK;
• you are a British overseas territories citizen, unless you are from one of the sovereign base areas in Cyprus;
• you are a Commonwealth citizen with permission to enter or stay in the UK because at least one of your grandparents was born here – the UK ancestry section explains how you can apply;
• your partner or (if you are under 18) one of your parents has permission to stay in the UK under Tier 1 (Investor) – you should apply as their dependant; or
• you have no conditions or time limit attached to your stay.

This section explains how you can remain in the UK under the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category of the points-based system.

You cannot apply under the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category if you are outside the UK.

The Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category allows the UK to retain (non-European) graduates identified by UK higher education institutions as having developed world class innovative ideas or entrepreneurial skills, to extend their stay in the UK after graduation to establish or more businesses in the UK.

Before you apply, you must read the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) policy guidance, which you can find on the right side of this page. The policy guidance is based on Part 6 A of the Immigration Rules.

Do you need to apply under Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)?

Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) is part of our points-based system, which is for migrants from outside Europe. You do not need to apply under the points-based system if:

• you are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland;
• you are a British overseas territories citizen, unless you are from one of the sovereign base areas in Cyprus;
• you are a Commonwealth citizen with permission to enter or stay in the UK because at least one of your grandparents was born here; or
• you have no conditions or time limit attached to your stay.

Limit on Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) applications

The UK government has limited the number of applications that can be made under Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category.

There is a limit of 1,000 places for each of the periods 6 April 2012 to 5 April 2013 and 6 April 2013 to 5 April 2014.

The limit of 1,000 places is divided equally between participating institutions, (these must be highly trusted sponsors under Tier 4, or A rated Tier 2 and 5 sponsors if a Tier 2 and 5 sponsor licence is held) up to a maximum of 10 endorsements per institution, to qualify institutions must confirm that:

• they wish to take part; and
• that they have established processes and competence for identifying, nurturing and developing entrepreneurs among their undergraduate and postgraduate population.

The limit does not apply to Graduate Entrepreneur applicants who wish to extend their leave under this category.