Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker
Tier 1 (General) is the highly skilled worker category and it is designed to allow highly skilled people to come to the United Kingdom to look for work or self-employment opportunities.
Unlike Tier 2 (General), you do not need a job offer to apply under the highly skilled worker category. When you apply you are awarded points based on your qualifications, previous earnings, United Kingdom experience, age, English language skills, and available maintenance (funds).
To apply under this points-based system and be accepted into the highly skilled worker category, you must pass a points-based assessment.
You must score:
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75 points for your attributes (age, qualifications, previous earnings, and experience in the United Kingdom); and
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10 points for English language; and
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10 points for available maintenance (funds).
There is a self-assessment points calculator on the Home Office website.
