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Highly skilled workers

A highly skilled migrant reviewing their application

Qualifications

This page explains what proof of qualifications you should send to support your application to the highly skilled worker category (Tier 1 General) under the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

Full details of these requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraph 245B of part 6A, and Appendix A (Table 1, which you can find on the right side of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.

You must send proof of your qualifications. This must be an original document, issued by the awarding institution on the official headed paper of the institution.

If you have been awarded a qualification

If you have been awarded a qualification, you must provide the original certificate of award.

The original certificate of award must be on the institution's official paper clearly showing:

  • your name; 
  • the title of the award; 
  • the date of the award; and 
  • the name of the awarding institution.

We will not accept original provisional certificates. The original certificate of award must always be provided unless you are awaiting graduation or you no longer have the certificate and the institution that issued the certificate is unable to issue a replacement.

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If you cannot provide your original certificate

If you are awaiting graduation, or you no longer have the certificate and the institution that issued it is unable or issue a replacement, you must provide the original academic reference and original transcript.

If you are awaiting graduation but have successfully completed your degree, or you no longer have the certificate and the awarding institiution is unable to issue a replacement, you should send an original acdemic reference from the institution that is awarding the degree together with an orginal academic transcript.

The original academic reference from the institution awarding the degree must be on official headed paper of the institution and clearly show:

  • your name; 
  • the title of award; 
  • the date of award, confirming that it will be awarded; and 
  • the date that the certificate will be issued or confirmation that the institution is unable to issue the certifcate or award.

The original academic reference cannot be considered as suitable evidence if the letter does not state what qualification has been awarded.

The academic transcript must be on the institution's official paper clearly showing:

  • your name; 
  • the name of the academic institution; 
  • the course title; and 
  • confirmation of the award.

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If your qualification has a significant research bias

If you are claiming points for a qualification with a significant research bias (for example a doctorate) you may be unable to provide an academic transcript. Where the original certificate of award is not available, we will accept an academic reference alone.

The original academic reference must be an original issued by the awarding institution on the official headed paper of the institution and include:

  • your name; 
  • the title of award; 
  • the date of award, confirming that it will be awarded; and 
  • either the date that the certificate will be issued or confirmation that the institution is unable to reissue the award.

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