Immigration Rules part 6A: the points-based system
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-11)

Points-based system (paragraphs 245AAA to 245ZZE).

245AAA. DELETED

245AA.Documents not submitted with applications
- (a) Subject to sub-paragraph (b) and where otherwise indicated, where Part 6A or any appendices referred to in Part 6A state that specified documents must be provided, the decision maker (that is the Entry Clearance Officer, Immigration Officer or the Secretary of State) will only consider documents received by the Home Office before the date on which the application is considered.
- (i) specified evidence is missing from the documents; or
- (ii) a document is in the wrong format (for example, if a letter is not on letterhead paper as specified); or
- (iii) DELETED
- (iv) a document does not contain all of the specified information;
- the decision maker may contact the applicant or his representative in writing, and request the correct documents. The requested documents must be received at the address specified in the request within 10 working days of the date of the request.
- (c) Documents will not be requested where the decision maker does not think that the submission of missing or correct documents will lead to a grant because the application will be refused for other reasons.
- (d) If the applicant has omitted to provide specified evidence, or submitted it in the wrong format, but the missing information is verifiable from other documents provided with the application or elsewhere, the decision maker may grant the application despite the error or omission, if they are satisfied that the applicant meets all the other requirements of the Rules.
245A. DELETED

Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Migrants

245B. DELETED

245BA. DELETED

245BB. DELETED

245BC. DELETED

245BD. DELETED

245BE. DELETED

245BF. DELETED

Tier 1 (General) Migrants

245C.Purpose

DELETED

245CD. Requirements for indefinite leave to remain

DELETED

245CD-SD Specified documents

DELETED

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Migrants

245D. Purpose of this route and meaning of business
- (1) a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Migrant
- (2) a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Migrant, or
- (3) a Start-up migrant, having previously held leave as a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Migrant,
- or have had such leave in the 12 months immediately before the date of application, may apply under these rules to extend their stay or for indefinite leave to remain.
- (iii) Other migrants who wish to establish one or more businesses in the UK may apply under the rules for Innovator Founder.
- (i) a sole trader,
- (ii) a partnership, or
- (iii) a company registered in the UK.
- (1) in the applicant’s own possession,
- (2) in the financial accounts of the UK business(es) which they are relying on to claim points, or
- (3) available from the third party or parties named in the application under the terms of the declaration(s) referred to in paragraph 41(a)(vi) of Appendix A.
- (1) the applicant’s own remuneration,
- (2) buying any business from a previous owner, where the money ultimately goes to that previous owner (irrespective of whether it is received or held directly or indirectly by that previous owner) rather than into the business being purchased (This applies regardless of whether the money is channelled through the business en route to the previous owner, for example by means of the applicant or business purchasing ‘goodwill’ or other assets which were previously part of the business.),
- (3) investing in businesses, other than those which the applicant is running as self-employed or as a director, and
- (4) any spending which is not directly for the purpose of establishing or running the applicant’s own business or businesses.
245DA. DELETED

245DB. DELETED

245DC. DELETED

245DD. DELETED

245DE. DELETED

245DF. Requirements for indefinite leave to remain

To qualify for indefinite leave to remain as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Migrant, an applicant must meet the requirements listed below. If the applicant meets these requirements, indefinite leave to remain will be granted. If the applicant does not meet these requirements, the application will be refused.

Requirements:
- (a) DELETED
- (b) The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability and must not be an illegal entrant.
- (c) The applicant must have a minimum of 75 points under paragraphs 35 to 53 of Appendix A.
- (d) The applicant must have demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the English language and sufficient knowledge about life in the United Kingdom, in accordance with Appendix KoLL.
- (e) The applicant must not be in the UK in breach of immigration laws except that, where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, any current period of overstaying will be disregarded.
- (i) the applicant has established, taken over or become a director of one or more genuine businesses in the UK, and has genuinely operated that business or businesses while he had leave as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Migrant; and
- (ii) the applicant has genuinely invested the money referred to in Table 6 of Appendix A into one or more businesses in the UK to be spent for the purpose of that business or businesses; and
- (iii) the applicant genuinely intends to continue operating one or more businesses in the UK.
- (i) the evidence the applicant has submitted;
- (ii) the viability and credibility of the source of the money referred to in Table 6 of Appendix A;
- (iii) the credibility of the financial accounts of the business or businesses;
- (iv) the credibility of the applicant’s business activity in the UK, including when he had leave as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Migrant;
- (v) the credibility of the job creation for which the applicant is claiming points in Table 6 of Appendix A;
- (vii) if the nature of the business requires mandatory accreditation, registration and/or insurance, whether that accreditation, registration and/or insurance has been obtained; and
- (viii) any other relevant information.
- (h) The Secretary of State reserves the right to request additional information and evidence to support the assessment in (f), and to refuse the application if the information or evidence is not provided. Any requested documents must be received by the Secretary of State at the address specified in the request within 28 calendar days of the date of the request.
- (i) If the Secretary of State is not satisfied with the genuineness of the application in relation to a points-scoring requirement in Appendix A, those points will not be awarded.
- (j) The Secretary of State may decide not to carry out the assessment in (f) if the application already falls for refusal on other grounds, but reserves the right to carry out this assessment in any reconsideration of the decision.
- (k) The applicant must, unless he provides a reasonable explanation, comply with any request made by the Secretary of State to attend for interview.
- (i) before 6 July 2027, if the applicant has ever previously had leave as a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Migrant; or
- (ii) before 6 April 2025, in all other cases.
Tier 1 (Investor) Migrants

245E. Purpose

This route is for high net worth individuals making a substantial financial investment to the UK.

This route is now closed to new applicants. Individuals who already have entry clearance, leave to enter or remain as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant may apply under these rules to extend their stay or for indefinite leave to remain.

245EA. Entry to the UK

All migrants arriving in the UK and wishing to enter as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant must have a valid entry clearance for entry under this route. If they do not have a valid entry clearance, entry will be refused.

245EB. Requirements for entry clearance

To qualify for entry clearance as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant, an applicant must meet the requirements listed below. If the applicant meets these requirements, entry clearance will be granted. If the applicant does not meet these requirements, the application will be refused.

Requirements:
- (aa) The applicant must have leave as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant on, or must have had such leave within the last 12 months immediately before, the date of application.
- (a) The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability.
- (b) The applicant must have a minimum of 75 points under paragraphs 54 to 65-SD of Appendix A.
- (c) DELETED
- (d) The applicant must be at least 18 years old and the assets and investment he is claiming points for must be wholly under his control.
- (i) notwithstanding that the applicant has provided the relevant specified documents required under Appendix A or (where relevant) was awarded points in a previous application as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant, the applicant is or was not in control of and at liberty to freely invest the money specified in their application for the purposes of meeting the requirements of Appendix A to these Rules; or
- (1) the applicant; or
- (2) where any of the specified money has been made available to the applicant by another party, that party, has been acquired by means of conduct which is unlawful in the UK, or would constitute unlawful conduct if it occurred in the UK, or has been or will be transferred internationally by means which are unlawful in any of the countries involved; or
- (iii) where any of the money specified in the application for the purposes of meeting the requirements of Appendix A to these Rules has been made available by another party, the character, conduct or associations of that party are such that approval of the application would not be conducive to the public good,
- and where the Entry Clearance Officer does have reasonable grounds to believe one or more of the above applies, no points from Appendix A will be awarded.
- (f) Where the applicant is 18 years of age or older, the applicant must provide a criminal record certificate from the relevant authority in any country in which they have been present for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the past 10 years, while aged 18 or over. This requirement does not need to be met where the Secretary of State is satisfied, by way of an explanation provided in or with the application, that it is not reasonably practicable for the applicant to obtain a certificate from the relevant authority.
- (g) If the applicant has failed to provide a criminal record certificate or an explanation in accordance with sub-paragraph (f), the decision maker may contact the applicant or his representative in writing, and request the certificate(s) or explanation. The requested certificate(s) or explanation must be received at the address specified in the request within 28 calendar days of the date of the request.
- (h) the application must be made before 17th February 2026.
245EC. Period and conditions of grant
- (a) Entry clearance will be granted for a period of 2 years.
- (b) Entry clearance will be subject to the following conditions:
- (i) no recourse to public funds,
- (ii) DELETED
- (iii) no Employment as a Doctor or Dentist in Training, unless the applicant has obtained a primary degree in medicine or dentistry at bachelor’s level or above from a UK institution that is a UK recognised or listed body, or which holds a student sponsor licence under the Points Based System, and
- (iv) no employment as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach).
- (v) study subject to the condition set out in Appendix ATAS of these Rules.
245ED. Requirements for leave to remain

To qualify for leave to remain as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant, an applicant must meet the requirements listed below. If the applicant meets these requirements, leave to remain will be granted. If the applicant does not meet these requirements, the application will be refused.

Requirements:
- (a) The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability and must not be an illegal entrant.
- (b) The applicant must have a minimum of 75 points under paragraphs 54 to 65-SD of Appendix A.
- (c) The applicant must have, or have last been granted, entry clearance, leave to enter or remain as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant.
- (d) DELETED
- (e) The applicant must be at least 18 years old and the assets and investment he is claiming points for must be wholly under his control.
- (f) The applicant must not be in the UK in breach of immigration laws except that, where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, any current period of overstaying will be disregarded.
- (i) notwithstanding that the applicant has provided the relevant specified documents required under Appendix A or (where relevant) was awarded points in a previous application as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant, the applicant is not or was not in control of and at liberty to freely invest the money specified in their application for the purposes of meeting the requirements of Appendix A to these Rules; or
- (1) the applicant; or
- (2) where any of the specified money has been made available to the applicant by another party, that party,
- has been acquired by means of conduct which is unlawful in the UK, or would constitute unlawful conduct if it occurred in the UK, or has been or will be transferred internationally by means which are unlawful in any of the countries involved; or
- (iii) where any of the money specified in the application for the purposes of meeting the requirements of Appendix A to these Rules has been made available by another party, the character, conduct or associations of that party are such that approval of the application would not be conducive to the public good,
- and where the Secretary of State does have reasonable grounds to believe one or more of the above applies, no points from Appendix A will be awarded.
- (h) The application must be made before 17th February 2026.
245EE. Period, conditions and curtailment of grant
- (a) Leave to remain will be granted for a period of 2 years.
- (i) no recourse to public funds,
- (ii) DELETED
- (1) has obtained a primary degree in medicine or dentistry at bachelor’s level or above from a UK institution that is a UK recognised or listed body, or which holds a student sponsor licence under the Points Based System, and provides evidence of this degree; or
- (2) has, or has last been granted, entry clearance, leave to enter or leave to remain that was not subject to any condition restricting him from taking employment as a Doctor in Training, has been employed during that leave as a Doctor in Training, and provides a letter from the Postgraduate Deanery or NHS Trust employing them which confirms that they have been working in a post or programme that has been approved by the General Medical Council as a training programme or post; or
- (3) has, or has last been granted, entry clearance, leave to enter or leave to remain that was not subject to any condition restricting him from taking employment as a Dentist in Training, has been employed during that leave as a Dentist in Training, and provides a letter from the Postgraduate Deanery or NHS Trust employing them which confirms that they have been working in a post or programme that has been approved by the Joint Committee for Postgraduate Training in Dentistry as a training programme or post, and
- (iv) no employment as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach), and
- (v) study subject to the condition set out in Appendix ATAS of these Rules.
- (i) within 3 months of the date specified in paragraph (d), the applicant has not invested, or had invested on his behalf, at least the amount of capital specified in paragraph (e) in the UK by way of UK Government bonds (where the applicant’s initial grant of leave as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant was granted under the Rules in place before 29 March 2019 and the date of application is before 6 April 2023), share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies other than those principally engaged in property investment, or
- (ii) the applicant does not maintain at least the level of investment in (i) throughout the remaining period of his leave.
- (i) the date of the applicant’s entry to the UK, in the case of an applicant granted entry clearance as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant where there is evidence to establish the applicant’s date of entry to the UK,
- (ii) the date of the grant of entry clearance to the applicant, in the case of an applicant granted entry clearance as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant where there is no evidence to establish the applicant’s date of entry to the UK, or
- (iii) the date of the grant of leave to remain to the applicant, in any other case.
- (i) at least £2 million if the applicant was last granted leave under the Rules in place from 6 November 2014 and was awarded points as set out in Table 7 or Table 8A of Appendix A to these Rules in that last grant, or
- (ii) at least £750,000 if the applicant was last granted leave under the Rules in place before 6 November 2014 or was awarded points as set out in Table 8B of Appendix A to these Rules in his last grant
- (f) Paragraph 245EE(c) does not apply where the applicant’s two most recent grants of leave were as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant.
245EF. Requirements for indefinite leave to remain

To qualify for indefinite leave to remain, a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant must meet the requirements listed below. if the applicant meets these requirements, indefinite leave to remain will be granted. if the applicant does not meet these requirements, the application will be refused.

Requirements:
- (a) DELETED
- (b) The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability and must not be an illegal entrant.
- (c) The applicant must have a minimum of 75 points under paragraphs 54 to 65-SD of Appendix A
- (d) The applicant must have demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the English language and sufficient knowledge about life in the United Kingdom, in accordance with Appendix KoLL.
- (e) The applicant must not be in the UK in breach of immigration laws except that, where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, any current period of overstaying will be disregarded.
- (i) notwithstanding that the applicant was awarded points in a previous application as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant, the applicant is or was not in control of and at liberty to freely invest the money specified in their application for the purposes of meeting the requirements of Appendix A to these Rules; or
- (1) the applicant; or
- (2) where any of the specified money has been made available to the applicant by another party, that party,
- has been acquired by means of conduct which is unlawful in the UK, or would constitute unlawful conduct if it occurred in the UK, or has been transferred internationally by means which are unlawful in any of the countries involved; or
- (iii) where any of the money specified in the application for the purposes of meeting the requirements of Appendix A to these Rules has been made available by another party, the character, conduct or associations of that party are such that approval of the application would not be conducive to the public good,
- and where the Secretary of State does have reasonable grounds to believe one or more of the above applies, no points from Appendix A will be awarded.
- (g) The application must be made before 17th February 2028.
Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Migrants

245F. This category is now closed and has been replaced by the Start-up category in Appendix W.

TIER 2 MIGRANTS

Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Migrants

245G. DELETED

245GA. DELETED

245GB. DELETED

245GC. DELETED

245GD. DELETED

245GE. DELETED

245GF. Requirements for indefinite leave to remain

DELETED

245GF-SD Specified documents

DELETED

Tier 2 (General) Migrants, Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) Migrants and Tier 2 (Sportsperson) Migrants

245H. Purpose of these routes and definitions

DELETED

245HA. Entry clearance

DELETED

245HB. Requirements for entry clearance

DELETED

245HD. Requirements for leave to remain

DELETED

245HE. Period and conditions of grant

DELETED

245HF. Requirements for indefinite leave to remain as a Tier 2 (General) Migrant or Tier 2 (Sportsperson) Migrant

DELETED

245HG. Requirements for indefinite leave to remain as a Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) Migrant

DELETED

245HH Specified documents

DELETED

Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) Temporary Migrants

245ZI. Purpose of this route

DELETED

245ZJ. Entry clearance

DELETED

245ZK. Requirements for entry clearance

DELETED

245ZL. Period and conditions of grant

DELETED

Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Migrants

245ZM. Purpose of this route and definitions

DELETED

245ZN. Entry clearance

DELETED

245ZO. Requirements for entry clearance or leave to enter

DELETED

245ZP. Period and conditions of grant

DELETED

245ZQ. Requirements for leave to remain

DELETED

245ZR. Period and conditions of grant

DELETED

245ZS. Requirements for indefinite leave to remain

DELETED

Tier 4 (General) Student

245ZT. Purpose of this route

DELETED

245ZU. Entry clearance

DELETED

245ZV. Requirements for entry clearance

DELETED

245ZW. Period and conditions of grant

DELETED

245ZX. Requirements for leave to remain

DELETED

245ZY. Period and conditions of grant

DELETED

Tier 4 (Child) Student

245ZZ. Purpose of route

DELETED

245ZZA. Entry clearance

DELETED

245ZZB. Period and conditions of grant

DELETED

245ZZC. Requirements for leave to remain

DELETED

245ZZD. Period and conditions of grant

DELETED

245ZZE Specified documents, details and requirements of care arrangements

DELETED