Qualifications Unlock Immigration Opportunities

The UK may well be advised to relax its Tier 1 educational requirement from a Masters qualification to a Bachelors degree, following recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). The suggestion is good news for applicants currently falling behind in points for the Tier 1 visa.However, according to expert immigration group 1^st Contact, current applicants should be aware that already some professional memberships are considered equivalent to a Masters degree. For example Chartered members of Engineers Australia (EA) are considered equivalent to a UK Masters, putting them in a position similar to that of Chartered Accountants

some professional memberships are considered equivalent to a Masters degree

The United Kingdom Borders Agency (UKBA) has an online points assessment on their website that holds a lengthy but not exhaustive database of qualifications and professional memberships from around the world. Depending on the UKBA’s perceived value of these qualifications or professional memberships a point’s assessment will be allocated.

Following on the heels of a special report researching the situation at present, 1^st Contact has found that some professional memberships appear on the UKBA’s points assessment, while many others that attract points do not. Through their enquiries 1^st Contact has learned that in some cases other professional memberships like Barristers, Chartered Engineers and Veterinarians are awarded the 35 points usually reserved for Masters Degree qualifications.

Anyone who is uncertain about their qualification or professional membership should complete the Tier 1 online assessment on the 1^st Contact website or call their local 1^st Contact Immigration tea.

About 1st Contact Visas 1st Contact Visas is an immigration consultancy incorporated in 1998 with the aim of becoming the premier visa service provider to people wishing to migrate around the world. 1st Contact Visas can assist with the full range of UK Visas, including the HSMP/Tier 1 Visa and working towards British Citizenship though Indefinite Leave to Remain.

UK: 0800 856 2473 SA: 0800 003 163 AU: 1800 039 300 www.1stcontactvisas.com