We can assist with applications for an extension to the initial period of your Highly Skilled Migrant Programme [HSMP] under Tier 1 General, whether we represented you with your original application or not.

HSMP EXTENSION
Applications for an extension can be submitted up to 5 weeks prior to the expiry of your current HSMP visa or earlier if need be. All candidates must now satisfy the basic requirements for Further Leave to Remain applications as well as successfully claim 75 points under the HSMP Extension requirements. In addition, all applicants must satisfy the English Language requirement of the application, aswell as the new maintenance funds requirement. The specific points requirements are detailed below.

When you are ready to proceed, please contact us to discuss the requirements for your extension application.

November 2006 Changes Under the changes implemented on 7 November 2006, all applicants for HSMP extensions must now satisfy a new points based system in line with the new points programme in place for the HSMP programme itself. The following are now the requirements for HSMP Extension applications:

Education: the following are the points that can be claimed for your education achievements where your degree is equivalent to a British degree at the following levels: PhD = 50 Points, Masters = 35 Points, Bachelor = 30 Points.

Previous Earnings: The level of earnings required for points depends on the term of your initial HSMP visa. There are different levels of points dependent on the level of earnings. Please contact us for further details. Part time earnings can be considered, as can earnings from more than one position concurrent. Unearned income is not included. Strict evidence requirements are necessary to support the claim, but we can assist in this.

UK Experience: If you were granted an initial visa for more than 12 months and you qualify for Previous Earnings points of which at least £16,000 was earned in the UK then you can claim an additional 5 points for UK Experience.

Age Assessment: This category applies to your age at the time of submission. If you are 29 or under you can claim 20 points; 30 or 31, you can claim 10 points, and 32 or 33, you can claim 5 points.

English Language: All applicants are required to provide either an IELTS report score at band 6 or above, or evidence of a Bachelor degree taught in English. There is no date requirement on IELTS. In most circumstances, providing this has been provided in your initial HSMP application then this should be granted automatically.

Please note, there is a seperate Tier 1 eligibility criteria for those who applied after 6 April 2010.

Extension FAQs
1. The Government is obliged to exempt nationals of countries which have signed and ratified the Council of Europe Charter or the European Social Charter (revised). This means that nationals of Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Moldova, Romania and Turkey are currently exempt from full fees.

2. HSMP Extension applications can be dealt with under the fast track system at Croydon. IWP is registered with Home Office same day applications in Croydon. So if you have a booked appointment in Croydon PEO then we can present the case for you.

3. All documents provided with the application as evidence MUST be ORIGINAL.

4. If you will be using the same documents as were provided in your original HSMP application then you will not normally need to resubmit the document. For example, if you provided the original degree certificate when you first applied for HSMP then you will not have to provide the original degree certificate for the extension.

As with all of our applications, we would only charge on approval of your HSMP / Tier 1 General extension.

Please contact us using the above link in order to discuss your situation.

highly skilled migrant programme hsmp extension