Friday, May 14, 2010

The Big Question : Tier-1 or Tier-4

Tier-1 (G) - Erstwhile HSMP visa. This is the most popular and sought after visa which is needed for working in the UK. Most employers do prefer this visa over others like Tier-2 etc.

Tier-4 (Students) - Students visa for studying in the UK. One gets a Tier-1(PSW) to work post study.

I am eligible for Tier-1(G) visa now (based on points calculator). But a Tier-1(G) visa is meant for employment purpose only. Likewise a Tier-4 visa is only for study purposes. So while technically I might be able to stay and study on Tier-1, its not 'appropriate', and if UK home office finds any such irregularities, I might be in trouble. Before making any decision, I would like to get a clarification (written permission will be best) from the UK Immigration Home Office, details of which can find here - UK Border Agency | Home Page . Even if its allowed, I find the following cons of studying on Tier-1.

  • Note that one needs to pay the council tax (which is waived for students) when you stay in the UK on tier-1. So this will be another overhead.



  • Tier-1 is valid for initial 2 years only and can be extended for further 3 years, given that you show enough earnings in the last one year. So consider the case where you are studying on Tier-1, where you wont be earning for the first year, and then if it takes another 3-4 months to find job, you will just be left with 8-9 months to show earnings for, and which might not be enough (of course if you get a FAT salary, 6 months might be more than enough) to accumulate those earnings to get the needed points. (25K GBP for 5 points, and atleast 30K GBP for 15 points)


While if I go with Tier-4 (students) and then convert to Tier-1 (PSW) later on, which can be done within a month of completing studies, I would be well off. I heard that some employers do prefer Tier-1(G) visa holders, but Tier-1-PSW should be good as well. Again hoping that the economy recovers a little and jobs start appearing.

Refer to my previous post on Tier-1 related information.

http://followingmydream.wordpress.com/2010/03/19/welcome-changes-in-tier-1-immigrant-visa-for-uk-from-april-2010/

No comments: