HIGHLY SKILLED MIGRANT PROGRAMME (HSMP)

Extending HSMP Status

At the end of the initial period of entry, an extension through the fifth year will be granted to those who:	Kentish Lady - Hire Cruisers Ltd. Boat Trip, Maidstone
adduce proof of adequate English and score at last 75 points The factors are the same as the initial criteria, except that “British experience” has been eliminated.

English

In addition to achieving at least 75 points, strong command of English must be established via one of two methods; viz., (a) by scoring 6.0 (out of 9.0) on the IELTS examination or (b) by having earned a bachelor’s degree where English was the medium of instruction. (Graduate degrees taught in English will not be accepted as a substitute for an IELTS result.)

The IELTS examination must have been taken within two (2) years of the initial HSMP application and may be either the ‘general’ or the ‘academic’ examination.  The Home Office will also accept equivalent examination results so long as NARIC accepts that the result is equivalent to an IELTS band score of 6.0 or better.

Failure to reach this standard will result in the application being refused.  However, those whose HSMP application had been approved prior to 8 November 2006 may take up ten (10) weeks after submission of the application for extension to submit IELTS results, during which time their application for an extension will be held in abeyance. Only IELTS results will be accepted in these circumstances.

Point System for Extension

In addition to competence in English, those seeking to extend their entry clearance through the fifth year must garner at least seventy-five (75) points from the following criteria:

• Age,
• Education and
• Earnings.

	Pts Age   20 20 to 29   10 30 to 31   5 32 to 33	Pts Earnings 5 £ 16,000 10 £ 18,000 15 £ 20,000 20 £ 23,000 25 £ 26,000 30 £ 29,000 35 £ 32,000 40 £ 35,000 45 £ 40,000	Kirkham Priory (EH), Church/Chapel, Whitwell-on-the-Hill
	Pts Education   30 Bachelors   35 Masters   50 Ph.D.

For those issued a two-year entry, points for earnings will be awarded on the basis of twelve (12) consecutive months within fifteen (15) months of application. For those granted only one-year entry, the period is eight (8) consecutive months in the preceding twelve (12), and the amounts are roughly 75% of twelve-month levels. Earning may be from more than one job and includes, salaries, bonuses, allowances reflected on pay slips and dividends from one’s employer(s). Earnings from overseas may also be included. (Passive income, such as interest or rent, is not included.)

Passing Threshold

Combining the three factors, the minimum earnings required to achieve seventy-five points would be:

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Age 20-29   Age 30-31 £ 26,000 Bachelor £ 32,000 £ 23,000 Master £ 29,000 £ 16,000 Ph.D. £ 20,000       Age 32-33   Age 34-99 £ 35,000 Bachelor £ 40,000 £ 29,000 Master £ 35,000 £ 18,000 Ph.D. £ 26,000

Transitional Provisions

For those whose HSMP application was approved prior to 8 November 2006, when the current scheme was declared, transitional provisions exist.  First, those who are not able to reach 75 points may convert to an employer-specific work-permit so long as (a) they have held the position for at least eight (8) months in the preceding twelve (if issued a one-year entry-clearance) or twelve (12) within fifteen (15) months (if issued a two-year entry clearance) and (b) the standard work-permit requirements are met except that the employer is not required to establish that no settled resident or E.U. citizen is able and willing to accept the position. 

Second, those who have established their own business in Britain may be granted an extension if the business has been active for at least four (4) months and has sufficient “ongoing contractual/business commitments to cover at least the next six months”. The Guidance provides a list of required business documentation.