UK Visas in Ghana
UK Visas in Ghana
UK Visas in Ghana
UK Visas in Ghana
UK Visas in Ghana
UK Visas in Ghana

The Tier Visa applies to persons seeking to enter or remain in the UK to study, work, or set up in business or self-employment.

It has been gradually introduced since February 2008 to provide a structure for allowing people to enter the UK to work or study with strict eligibility rules about the documents required for applicants to meet those criteria.

As the name suggests, the applicant under the PBS must earn points in order to obtain a visa or leave to remain in the UK for studies, work, or self-employment. If an applicant scores the qualifying number of points a visa will be issued.

UK Point-Based System (PBS) Visas

Choose your type of Visa for travelling to UK:

Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa

Since 9 August, 2011 a new category of exceptionally talented migrants in the fields of science, arts, and humanities has been created for persons who fall under this category to work and eventually settle in the UK. Certain prestigious bodies in science and the arts have been designated to endorse exceptionally talented young persons whom they believe to have great potential well as persons who have already attained international recognition in their field.

At present there are 4 competent bodies. These are:

  • The Arts Council – for arts and culture applications;
  • The British Academy – for humanities and social science applications;
  • The Royal Society – for natural sciences and medical science research applications;
  • The Royal Academy of Engineering – for engineering applications.

There is limit of 1000 applicants to be admitted each year. To be eligible for a grant of a visa, an applicant needs to score a minimum of 75 points in total.

Leave may be granted for an initial period of 3 years and 4 months, with a further leave to remain for 2 years if the applicant is economically active in the expert field. Indefinite leave may be granted after 5 years.

Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa

This category is for persons who wish to establish, take over, or join one or more business in the UK as a sole proprietor, a partnership or a company registered in the UK. To be eligible, an applicant needs to score a minimum of 95 points in total. This must be earned by a score of 75 points for attributes, 10 points for English language requirement, and 10 points for maintenance. To score the 75 points for attributes, an applicant must show the following, each of which carries 25 points:

  • that they have access to no less than £200,000;
  • that the money is held in one or more regulated financial institution; and
  • that the money is disposable in the UK.

These rules were however relaxed after 6 April 2011 to make it more attractive owing to initial fewer applications than expected. Applicants may now be eligible to apply if they can show that they have access to £50,000 and the money is provided through government department funding.

The Genuine Entrepreneurial test

Under this test, an ECO or Home Office caseworker must be satisfied that the applicant genuinely intends and is able to establish a business or join an existing one, that he genuinely intends to invest the money of which he has provided evidence, and that this money is genuinely available to him. The official investigating this may take account factors such as the viability and credibility of the source of money, the applicant’s previous educational and business experience, his immigration history and the viability and credibility of his business plans.

Refusal

If the application is refused the applicant is entitled to an administrative review of the decision at no charge. The review request must be submitted within 28 days of the date of service of the decision. The applicant is only entitled to rely on evidence submitted in support of the original decision and cannot introduce new evidence in support of the review request. An applicant may however choose to submit a new application after a refusal, but this will incur the payment of visa fee, although they may submit new evidence in support their new application.

Leave may be granted for a period of 3 years and 4 months and restrictions on employment limited only to the applicant’s business. An entrepreneur may be able to absent themselves from the UK for up to 180 days each year without this absence breaking the continuity of their residence. Instead of achieving settlement after 5 years, they can do so in 3 years if they create 10 full-time jobs within this period or generate £5 million on income.

Tier 1 Investor Visa

This is the route for persons who wish to make a substantial investment in the UK. An applicant needs to score at least 75 points in other to be eligible for the grant of this visa. Applicants are exempt from the language and additional maintenance requirement other than where it relates to the applicant’s investment. An applicant seeking entry via this category can score 75 point by showing that they have:

  • money of their own hands in regulated financial institution and disposable in the UK of no less than £1m; or
  • own personal assert of a value exceeding £2m and has money under his control and disposable in the UK of no less than £1m which has been loaned by financial institution regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Refusal

If the application is refused the applicant is entitled to an administrative review of the decision at no charge. The review request must be submitted within 28 days of the date of service of the decision. The applicant is only entitled to rely on evidence submitted in support of the original decision and cannot introduce new evidence in support of the review request. An applicant may however choose to submit a new application after a refusal, but this will incur the payment of visa fee, although they may submit new evidence in support their new application.

Leave may be granted for a period of 3 years, subject to a prohibition on public funds. To encourage more overseas investors, settlement can be obtained after only three or even 2 years, and the investor may be absent from the UK for up to 180 days each year.

Tier 2 General Visa

To be eligible for a grant of this visa, an applicant must score a minimum of 70 points and meet all other requirements of the immigration rules. To make up the minimum score of 70 points, the applicant must score 50 points for attributes which can be claimed on any of the following bases:

  • 30 points for a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from their employer meeting either the residence labor market or that the job is on the shortage occupation list; and
  • 20 points for appropriate salary and allowances provided the salary for the particular job meets the going rate set out in the Code of Practice and at least £20,300 a year.

In addition, an applicant needs to also score 10 points for the English language requirement and 10 points for maintenance. For the language requirement the applicant needs English to level B2 standard and must provide a language certificate either from:

  • a national of a majority English-speaking country; or
  • pass an English language test on the UKBA list of approved English language tests; or
  • holds a degree that was taught in English and is equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree.

Under the maintenance requirement, the applicant must have at least £900 in the bank for a continuous period of 90 days before they apply. For an employee working for an A-rated sponsor they do not need to meet the requirement, provided the sponsor gives an undertaking to maintain and accommodate the applicant until the end of their first month of employment in the UK.

There is an annual limit of 20,700 on the number of Certificates of Sponsorship available under this category for out-of-country applicants. This will be the annual cap for succeeding years, as recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee. This does not apply to applicants with a proposed salary of £152,000 and more.

Refusal

If the application is refused the applicant is entitled to an administrative review of the decision at no charge. The review request must be submitted within 28 days of the date of service of the decision. The applicant is only entitled to rely on evidence submitted in support of the original decision and cannot introduce new evidence in support of the review request. An applicant may however choose to submit a new application after a refusal, but this will incur the payment of visa fee, although they may submit new evidence in support their new application.

Leave may be granted for a period of 3 years with a further leave to remain for 2 years. After 6 April 2016, indefinite leave to remain can only be obtained if the applicant is able to show a salary of £35000 and more or unless the applicant is in a certain highly-skilled occupation which will be exempt from this requirement. Dependents may also be allowed to apply for settlement with the applicant provided that they had last been granted leave as dependents of the applicant.

Tier 2 Minister Of Religion Visa

This category replaces the old category of the immigration rule under which Ministers of Religion taking posts in religious institutions were allowed to enter the UK without a work permit. A person may apply under this category if they can show that they have been offered employment or a role within their faith community in the UK as a Minister of Religion, a missionary or a member of a religious order.

An applicant is required to score a minimum of 70 points to be eligible for this visa, which they can claim under the heads of attributes, language, and maintenance requirements. The applicant must score 50 points for attributes. This can be earned by proof of an appropriate Certificate of Sponsorship which is checked to ensure that:

  • the resident labour market test have been complied with unless the person was previously granted leave to enter or remain as a Minister of Religion;
  • the migrant is qualified for the job;
  • the migrant intends to base themselves in the UK and will comply with the conditions of their leave; and
  • the sponsor can maintain and accommodate the migrant.

An applicant needs to also score 10 points for the English language and 10 points for maintenance. For the language requirement the applicant need English to level B2 standard and must provide with a language certificate either from:

  • a national of a majority English-speaking country; or
  • pass an English language test on the UKBA list of approved English language tests; or
  • holds a degree that was taught in English and is equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree.

Under the maintenance requirement, the applicant must have at least £900 in the bank for a continuous period of 90 days before they apply except that an employee working for an A-rated sponsor does not need to meet the requirement, provided the sponsor gives on undertaking to maintain and accommodate the applicant until the end of their first month of employment in the UK.

Refusal

If the application is refused the applicant is entitled to an administrative review of the decision at no charge. The review request must be submitted within 28 days of the date of service of the decision. The applicant is only entitled to rely on evidence submitted in support of the original decision and cannot introduce new evidence in support of the review request. An applicant may however choose to submit a new application after a refusal, but this will incur the payment of visa fee, although they may submit new evidence in support their new application.

Leave may be granted for a period of 3 years with a further leave to remain for 2 years.

Tier 2 Sportsperson Visa

This is a category intended to allow elite sportspersons and coaches countries who are internationally established at the highest level. An applicant must score a minimum of 70 points to be eligible for this visa and this can be claimed under the heads of attributes, English language, and maintenance. The applicant must score 50 points for attributes and this can be earned by proof of a valid Certificate of Sponsorship which will be checked to ensure that the applicant is named by the sponsor and that the sportsperson:

  • is qualified for the job;
  • has been endorsed by the governing body of their sport; and
  • intends to base themselves in the UK and will comply with the condition of their leave.

An applicant needs to also score 10 points for the English language and 10 points for maintenance. For the language requirement the applicant need English to level B2 standard and must provide with a language certificate either from:

  • a national of a majority English-speaking country; or
  • pass an English language test on the UKBA list of approved English language tests; or
  • holds a degree that was taught in English and is equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree.

Under the maintenance requirement, the applicant must have at least £900 in the bank for a continuous period of 90 days before they apply except that an employee working for an A-rated sponsor does not need to meet the requirement, provided the sponsor gives on undertaking to maintain and accommodate the applicant until the end of their first month of employment in the UK.

Refusal

If the application is refused the applicant is entitled to an administrative review of the decision at no charge. The review request must be submitted within 28 days of the date of service of the decision. The applicant is only entitled to rely on evidence submitted in support of the original decision and cannot introduce new evidence in support of the review request.An applicant may however choose to submit a new application after a refusal, but this will incur the payment of visa fee, although they may submit new evidence in support their new application.

Tier 4 General Student Visa

This category replaces the immigration rules that set criteria for entry as a student. To be eligible for a visa under this category an applicant must score a minimum of 40 points which can be earned under the heads of attributes and maintenance. The applicant must score 30 points for attributes and this can be earned by providing a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS) from the sponsoring academic institution. This must contain all the details relating to the sponsor and the course and is only valid if it:

  • identifies the student with his name, nationality, and passport number;
  • gives the sponsor’s license number and details of the institution;
  • details of the course title, qualification, start date and expected end date, the latest date when the student can join the course, the number of hours of study per week, details of the work placement and course fee details including details of fees and accommodation cost already paid if applicable; and
  • lists the evident provided by the student when applying for the course.

The CAS must be issued no more than 6 months before the visa application and must be made not more than 3 months before the start of the course. The applicant must score 10 points for maintenance. The student must show that they have the money for the course fees and thereafter the funds for the maintenance of £1000 per month in London and £800 per month if outside London for a maximum period of 9 months. Only 2 months of maintenance need to be shown if the applicant already has an established presence in the UK. If the student is to study for more than one year, they will only have to show the fee for the first year. The applicant must show that they have held the required money for a consecutive 28-day period ending no more than one month before the application.

No points are earned for the English language requirement under this category. However, students below degree level must pass an English language best at level B1 whiles degree level student must be proficient in English to level B2. The Home Office has now adopted a new genuineness test by virtue of paragraphs 245ZV (a) and (k) to determine whether the applicant is genuine and intends to comply with the condition of the leave they apply for. The said provision requires applicants to be interviewed.

Refusal

If the application is refused the applicant is entitled to an administrative review of the decision at no charge. The review request must be submitted within 28 days of the date of service of the decision. The applicant is only entitled to rely on evidence submitted in support of the original decision and cannot introduce new evidence in support of the review request.An applicant may however choose to submit a new application after a refusal, but this will incur the payment of visa fee, although they may submit new evidence in support their new application.

Tier 4 Child Student Visa

This category allows children to obtain private education in the UK from the age of 4. Children under the age of 12 years can have their parents with them for a period of time. An applicant must score 50 points to be eligible for the grant of the visa. They must score 30 for attributes earned by providing an appropriate CAS from the school. If the child is under 16 years, they must be applying to study at an independent fee-paying school, and at whatever age, the school must have a Tier 4 (Child) Student Sponsorship License. The school must be teaching courses within the national curriculum or the National Qualifications Framework other than that the letter must contain all the details relating to the sponsor and the course and is valid only if it:

  • identifies the student with his name, nationality, passport number, and contains details of the parent or guardian;
  • gives the sponsor’s license number and details of the institution;
  • gives the title of the course or curriculum, the start date and expected end date, the latest date when the child can join the course, the address of the main place of study if it is different from that of the institution, and the details of the course.

The child will also have to earn 10 points for maintenance, but does not have to meet any requirement for language. The maintenance requirement depends on the school and other factors, and the 10 points will be given for:

  • all the boarding fees for a year if the child is going to a boarding school;
  • fees for one year if it is a non-residential school and at least £550 per month for maintenance for the first 9 months if the child will be staying with a foster parent,
  • if the child is being accompanied by a parent, the child must have one year school fees and £1500 per month for up to nine months;
  • if aged 16 or 17 years of age and living independently, the child must show £900 per month in London and £700 per month outside London.

Refusal

If the application is refused the applicant is entitled to an administrative review of the decision at no charge. The review request must be submitted within 28 days of the date of service of the decision. The applicant is only entitled to rely on evidence submitted in support of the original decision and cannot introduce new evidence in support of the review request.An applicant may however choose to submit a new application after a refusal, but this will incur the payment of visa fee, although they may submit new evidence in support their new application.

Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

This category is based on a reciprocal arrangement with a participating country and the government of the UK. The scheme is for young persons from participating countries to enter and experience life in the UK with the government of the country counted as the sponsor. The only governments that currently participate in the scheme are Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea and Taiwan, so only nationals from these countries are eligible to enter the UK under this category.

To be eligible for a visa under this category, an applicant must score a minimum of 50 points which can be earned under the heads of nationality, age, and maintenance. An applicant must score 40 points for attributes which is made up of 30 points for their nationality and 10 points for the age requirement pegged between 18 and 30 years of age. 10 points must also be earned for maintenance. The applicant must have funds of at least £1800 o satisfy the maintenance requirement.

Leave may be granted for a maximum of 2 years and although employment is permitted, the migrant must not be employed as a professional sportsperson, a doctor in training or be self-employed than work from home with no employees. Save this exception, pre-arranged employment is not a requirement nor are there any particular restrictions on the type of employment that a visa holder under this category can take.

Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

The scheme provides persons with the opportunity to enter the UK temporarily to work as a religious worker in a non-pastoral role or as a visiting religious worker employed abroad in the same capacity. Activities under this scheme may include preaching, performing religious rites, reading to congregations of faith, some pastoral work and non-pastoral duties. An applicant needs to score a minimum of 40 points to make them eligible for the grant of this visa which is earned under the heads of attributes and maintenance. 30 points must be earned for attributes and this may be scored by the production of a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. As long as the COS was not issued more than 3 months before the visa application, it will be sufficient for the award of 30 points.

The applicant needs to also score 10 points for maintenance. This will be either awarded when the applicant shows that they have £900 available or that they have an “A” rated sponsor who will guarantee that there will be no recourse to public funds.

Refusal

If the application is refused the applicant is entitled to an administrative review of the decision at no charge. The review request must be submitted within 28 days of the date of service of the decision. The applicant is only entitled to rely on evidence submitted in support of the original decision and cannot introduce new evidence in support of the review request. An applicant may however choose to submit a new application after a refusal, but this will incur the payment of visa fee, although they may submit new evidence in support their new application.

Tier 5 Creative And Sporting Visa

This category is open to persons who wish to work or perform as sportspersons, entertainers or creative artists for a maximum period of 12 months. The employment is for short engagements or contracts and is suitable for sports players, coaches, dance artists, artists in music, theater, film, or television. An applicant applying as a sportsperson will need to be internationally established at the highest level in their industry. Their employment in the UK should also intend to make a significant contribution to the development and operation of that particular sport in the UK.

A person applying as a creative worker and those included in their entourage involved in dance, theater, film or television will need to demonstrate they are attending a special engagement in the UK and do not wish to base themselves in business. An applicant needs to score a minimum of 40 points to make them eligible for the grant of this visa which is earned under the heads of attributes and maintenance. 30 points must be earned for attributes and this may be scored by the production of a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. As long as the COS was not issued more than 3 months before the visa application, it will be sufficient for the award of 30 points.

The applicant needs to also score 10 points for maintenance. This will be either awarded when the applicant shows that they have £900 available or that they have an “A” rated sponsor who will guarantee that there will be no recourse to public funds.

Refusal

If the application is refused the applicant is entitled to an administrative review of the decision at no charge. The review request must be submitted within 28 days of the date of service of the decision. The applicant is only entitled to rely on evidence submitted in support of the original decision and cannot introduce new evidence in support of the review request. An applicant may however choose to submit a new application after a refusal, but this will incur the payment of visa fee, although they may submit new evidence in support their new application.

Tier 5 Charity Worker Visa

This scheme provides individuals with the opportunity to come to the UK temporary and take up paid voluntary work in relation to the objectives of their sponsor. All activities undertaken in the UK must be temporary, voluntary, and involve no remuneration. The applicant should intend to undertake fieldwork directly related to the aims of the sponsor (organizational charity) and intend to only work on a temporary basis. No permanent position can therefore be accepted.

An applicant needs to score a minimum of 40 points to make them eligible for the grant of this visa which is earned under the heads of attributes and maintenance. 30 points must be earned for attributes and this can be scored by the production of a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. As long as the COS was not issued more than 3 months before the visa application, it will be sufficient for the award of 30 points.

The applicant needs to also score 10 points for maintenance. This will be either awarded when the applicant shows that they have £900 available or that they have an “A” rated sponsor who will guarantee that there will be no recourse to public funds.

Refusal

If the application is refused the applicant is entitled to an administrative review of the decision at no charge. The review request must be submitted within 28 days of the date of service of the decision. The applicant is only entitled to rely on evidence submitted in support of the original decision and cannot introduce new evidence in support of the review request.An applicant may however choose to submit a new application after a refusal, but this will incur the payment of visa fee, although they may submit new evidence in support their new application.

Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange Visa

This category is for persons entering the UK through an approved scheme that aim to share knowledge, experience and best practices and to experience the social and cultural life of the UK. Unlike sponsors under other categories, a sponsor under this scheme will be an overarching body who manages the scheme and who must have the support of a UK government department. Individual employers and organizations are not allowed to sponsor migrants in this category, even though they are licensed sponsors under other tiers or other categories of Tier 5 with the necessary exceptions.

To be eligible, an applicant needs to score 40 points for attributes and maintenance. 30 points can be earned for attributes on the production of a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by the sponsor which in this case is the overarching body managing the particular scheme.

The applicant needs to also score 10 points for maintenance. This will be either awarded when the applicant shows that they have £900 available or that they have an “A” rated sponsor who will guarantee that there will be no recourse to public funds.

Refusal

If the application is refused the applicant is entitled to an administrative review of the decision at no charge. The review request must be submitted within 28 days of the date of service of the decision. The applicant is only entitled to rely on evidence submitted in support of the original decision and cannot introduce new evidence in support of the review request.An applicant may however choose to submit a new application after a refusal, but this will incur the payment of visa fee, although they may submit new evidence in support their new application.

Leave may be granted for up to 12 or 24 months or for the time specified in the COS plus 28 days whichever is shorter.

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