· Tier 1: Highly skilled individuals to contribute to growth and productivity.
· Tier 2: Skilled workers with a job offer to fill gaps in the UK labour force.
· Tier 3: Limited numbers of low skilled workers needed to fill specific temporary labour shortages.
· Tier 4: Students.
· Tier 5: Youth mobility and temporary workers: people allowed to work in the UK for a limited period of time to satisfy primarily non-economic objectives.
In order to be granted entry clearance, or to extend or vary a leave to remain in the UK, applicants will need to achieve the number of points specified for the tier that is most appropriate for them. Points will be awarded for various criteria specific to each tier. See each tier linked above for more details.