Mike

The programme is designed to allow highly skilled people to migrate to the United Kingdom to look for work or self-employment opportunities. The scheme now has a new assessment for applicants aged under 28 as well as an assessment for those 28 and over.

The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme is different from the work permit scheme because you do not need a specific job offer in the UK to apply.

It is different from business routes such as the Innovators scheme or other business categories because you do not need a detailed business plan; you do not need to create jobs; and you do not need to invest in the UK.

You should apply to the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme Team at Work Permits UK (WPUK) in Sheffield. You can apply from abroad. In most cases, you can also apply from inside the UK if you are here with Home Office permission.

Your application will not be successful if you are in the United Kingdom as a visitor, on temporary admission, or without permission.