Please help me to understand

[maxis2009]

Hi all. I just found out some details about this Tier system today. I am considering making an application for a Tier 1 work permit; based on points and without having a job offer in hand. Im in Pakistan and will be applying from here.

I would appreciate if you can share your knowledge or your experience with respect to the following questions:

1) It seems that an individual can make an application personally by following the general guidelines, and probably preparing a bit by reading sites, tips and forums such as this one. There seems to be no requirement for seeking assistance in terms of advice.
Is my understanding correct?

2) There seems to be a category of help available which is legal and recognized by a supervisory board (OISC) in the UK. There are several companies in this category and they charge for this advisory service.
a) Is this help recommended?
b) Does this give any advantage?
c) I went to the OISC site and they have a huge list and its hard to figure out which is any good. Would some of you be able to identify some more reputable advisors, or share any experiences that you may have had?
d) Im a bit confused about the role of the advisor. Does their help extend to them make the application on my behalf, or is it simply a matter of guiding me on what to do?

Thanks for your time,
M

[mvent00]

First step you need to do is to check points based calculator and see if you can qualify for Tier 1 visa or not? If yes, you can prepare and submit your application by yourself. If you do not get required points on PBS calculator, you are not eligible for this visa. Hope that helps.

Hi all. I just found out some details about this Tier system today. I am considering making an application for a Tier 1 work permit; based on points and without having a job offer in hand. Im in Pakistan and will be applying from here.

I would appreciate if you can share your knowledge or your experience with respect to the following questions:

1) It seems that an individual can make an application personally by following the general guidelines, and probably preparing a bit by reading sites, tips and forums such as this one. There seems to be no requirement for seeking assistance in terms of advice.
Is my understanding correct?

2) There seems to be a category of help available which is legal and recognized by a supervisory board (OISC) in the UK. There are several companies in this category and they for this advisory service.
a) Is this help recommended?
b) Does this give any advantage?
c) I went to the OISC site and they have a huge list and its hard to figure out which is any good. Would some of you be able to identify some more reputable advisors, or share any experiences that you may have had?
d) Im a bit confused about the role of the advisor. Does their help extend to them make the application on my behalf, or is it simply a matter of guiding me on what to do?

Thanks for your time,
M

[maxis2009]

Hi mvent00, thanks for your response.

I have already tried two calculators.

One is the official one on the www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk website. For some reason that does not give me any points for my educational qualification (Bsc University of London External System, lead school: LSE). Because of this, i do not qualify on that calculator.

The second is the calculator given as a link (hosted by workpermit.com) on this forum. Based on this calculator I qualify for the visa with 85 points. The degree contributes:
30 points for my BSc.
5 points for UK Work Experience or Qualification (the BSc is awarded by the University of London).
Im also judging that holding this degree has the effect of meeting the following english requirement.
"You have earned a degree that meets or exceeds the equivalent UK degree taught to a C1 level of English, as assessed by UK NARIC"
(Ive also completed my UCLES O/A levels, with As in English Lit and English Lang).

Regards,
M

[mvent00]

Minimum level to obtain points for qualification is master's level for initial applications.

Quote from guidance:
75. An applicant can score the following points for a qualification:
• PhD* 50 points
• Master’s degree* 35 points
(*or equivalent vocational or professional qualification)

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... 310309.pdf page 17 of 44.

Hi mvent00, thanks for your response.

I have already tried two calculators.

One is the official one on the www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk website. For some reason that does not give me any points for my educational qualification (Bsc University of London External System, lead school: LSE). Because of this, i do not qualify on that calculator.

The second is the calculator given as a link (hosted by workpermit.com) on this forum. Based on this calculator I qualify for the visa with 85 points. The degree contributes:
30 points for my BSc.
5 points for UK Work Experience or Qualification (the BSc is awarded by the University of London).
Im also judging that holding this degree has the effect of meeting the following english requirement.
"You have earned a degree that meets or exceeds the equivalent UK degree taught to a C1 level of English, as assessed by UK NARIC"
(Ive also completed my UCLES O/A levels, with As in English Lit and English Lang).

Regards,
M

[maxis2009]

Hi again. Thanks for trying to help me sort this aspect out.

I had not referred to this PDF. I had read this page:
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply ... ralmigrant

Where it says

Points are only awarded if your qualifications are equivalent to British Bachelors, Masters, PhD, or in some cases an MBA (see below) (as validated by the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) database). UK NARIC is a private company that specialises in the comparison of qualifications to UK academic levels and is accessible through the points calculator.

Points can be scored for vocational and professional qualifications if they are at least equivalent to one of the academic levels shown, but only if they can be verified either through UK NARIC or by the appropriate UK professional body. If you are unable to find details of your qualification on UK NARIC you should obtain written confirmation from the appropriate UK professional body of the qualification’s equivalence to UK academic levels.

But yes, the pdf you pointed does indeed make it look like the points are only awarded for Masters and PhDs.

I would refer you to this point. It could be that the point for a foreign Masters/PhD is based on eqivalency to the UK Bachelors/Masters/PhD. Since my degree is a UK Bachelors, im not sure that it falls under the equivalency umbrella.

78. academic qualification must meet, or exceed, the recognised standard of a United Kingdom bachelor’s, master’s or PhD, as verified by the National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC). Points can also be awarded for vocational and professional qualifications where they are at least equivalent to one of the levels set out above providing that they can be verified either through UK NARIC or by the appropriate UK professional body.

Would you/someone else/a moderator be able to advise on which of the two is correct (since they are from the same source, and the workpermit.com calculator does have an option for Bachelors with points).

Regards,
M

[ChetanOjha]

For any new Tier1 application, Qualification should be atleast Masters Degree irrespective of from where you have done it.