Scoring Points Under Tier 1 - Generally Highly Skilled Cat.

Hi all,

Hopefully the more seasoned ones among us can help me with a seemingly simple question. I know that the pass mark for the specific category is 75 (same as the HSMP) and the maintenance category pass mark is 10 and the english requirement a score of 10 points. My question is, why do the maintenance and English categories have a "score" as they are not going towards anything really?

In other words, the 20 you earn from these two categories don't really count towards the overall 75 points you need to qualify for the visa. Am I making sense here or am I misinterpreting this? (i.e. the 20 from maintanance and English are added to your points in specific and go towards the 75 points needed) Thanks in advance.

No Matt, I'm afraid you got it right. The 20 points are NOT added to the score of 75. The new rules states that you have to get the passing maek in EACH category i.e 75 in the first step, 10 in English and 10 in Manintenance. But I do agree with you..keeping a score of 10 of the English and Maintanence category does seem rather pointless...but "they" are the rule makers!!

Thanks for the quick response Arif. I'm hoping that this is an oversight when the boffins at the home office check their notes at the next meeting when someone goes:

"hang on, this is a points based system right? So shouldn't all the points count?"

"I think this lad's onto something here, can someone pass the splif?"

Haha dream on mate!!

I've been told that you can study part time on your HSMP visa. Anyone aware whether this is will remain in tier 1?

anyone