Master prompt
HSMP / Tier 1 General leftover transition to ILR (or settled status)
For applicants holding leftover HSMP or Tier 1 General permission from 2002-2018; mapping transition to current routes for ILR.
UKHSMPTier 1 GeneralLegacy routesTransitionIndefinite Leave
Some Indian applicants in 2026 still hold residual permission from legacy routes — HSMP (Highly Skilled Migrant Programme 2002-2008) or Tier 1 General (2008-2015 with extensions until December 2018). These routes were closed but transitional provisions preserved some applicants' settlement claims. For [CLIENT_NAME] entering UK on [ENTRY_DATE]: §1 — HSMP + TIER 1 GENERAL HISTORICAL CONTEXT (120-150 words) HSMP (2002-2008): ▪ Points-based for highly skilled migrants ▪ No employer sponsor required ▪ Common for Indian PhD researchers, senior IT professionals ▪ Path to settlement: 5 years lawful residence ▪ Subject to court challenge (HSMP Forum Ltd v SSHD [2008] EWCA Civ 1110) which restored some applicants' rights Tier 1 General (2008-2015): ▪ Successor to HSMP under PBS structure ▪ Points-based; no sponsor needed ▪ Same path to settlement: 5 years ▪ Closed to new entrants in 2015; existing holders could extend until 2018 ▪ All Tier 1 General permissions expired by December 2018 For [CLIENT_NAME] starting on HSMP / Tier 1 General [ENTRY_DATE]: complete the historical chain. §2 — CURRENT TRANSITION OPTIONS (120-150 words) For applicants whose Tier 1 General / HSMP expired: Option A — Already on ILR: ▪ If applicant secured ILR before route closure → still settled ▪ ILR is permanent unless lost via extended absence (2 years+ outside UK) or revocation Option B — Transition to Skilled Worker: ▪ Find sponsor employer with Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence ▪ Sponsor assigns CoS ▪ Apply for Skilled Worker visa ▪ Previous Tier 1 General time DOES NOT count toward Skilled Worker 5-year ILR clock — new 5-year start ▪ But Long Residence (10-year) may apply if continuous lawful residence Option C — Long Residence Route: ▪ If applicant has 10+ years continuous lawful residence (HSMP + Tier 1 + Skilled Worker etc.) ▪ Apply for ILR under Long Residence (Appendix Long Residence) Option D — Global Talent / Innovator Founder / Investor routes: ▪ If applicant has built UK business / academic profile, may qualify for current routes For [ROUTE_HISTORY] + [CURRENT_VISA]: assess best option. §3 — ILR UNDER LONG RESIDENCE FOR LEGACY APPLICANTS (150-180 words) Most legacy Tier 1 General applicants reach 10 years before current visa expires, allowing Long Residence application: Eligibility: ▪ 10 years continuous lawful residence ▪ All time on any lawful UK visa (HSMP, Tier 1 General, Tier 2 General, Skilled Worker, Dependant, Discretionary Leave) ▪ Currently on lawful visa at application ▪ Appendix CR absences rule applies (180 days rolling) ▪ KOL (Life in UK test + English B1) For typical Tier 1 General applicant: ▪ 2010-2015: Tier 1 General ▪ 2015-2017: Tier 1 General extension ▪ 2017-2018: Tier 1 General expired; switched to Tier 2 General ▪ 2018-2023: Tier 2 General / Skilled Worker (5 years) ▪ 2023+: Eligible for both Skilled Worker 5-year ILR AND Long Residence 10-year ILR Choose Long Residence for: ▪ Lower salary requirement (no fixed threshold at ILR application date, although current employment helps) ▪ Better treatment of absences (slightly more discretion) §4 — DOCUMENTATION FOR LEGACY APPLICANTS (120-150 words) The complexity is documenting status across many years: For HSMP holders (2002-2008): ▪ Original HSMP approval letter ▪ Subsequent visas (extensions, switches) ▪ HMRC employment record going back 15+ years (request via HMRC SARS) ▪ Bank statements for periods covered For Tier 1 General holders (2008-2015): ▪ Original Tier 1 General visa pages ▪ Extensions + their underlying applications ▪ Income evidence (Tier 1 General required certain earnings) ▪ Self-employment evidence (if applicable) For all legacy applicants: ▪ Complete passport history (current + previous passports — collect all expired passports) ▪ UK absences calendar reconstructed from passport stamps ▪ Employment continuity evidence ▪ Tax compliance evidence §5 — TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS + CASE LAW (80-100 words) Key cases preserving HSMP/Tier 1 holders' rights: ▪ HSMP Forum Ltd v SSHD [2008] EWCA Civ 1110 — Home Office had to honour pre-2006 HSMP terms ▪ Various judicial reviews of Tier 1 closure (mostly unsuccessful) For applicants who failed to extend before December 2018 closure: ▪ Long Residence remains available ▪ Discretionary Leave with humanitarian grounds (very narrow) ▪ Return to home country + apply afresh under current routes §6 — STRATEGIC GUIDANCE (80-100 words) For [CLIENT_NAME] with [ROUTE_HISTORY]: Step 1: Reconstruct full visa history with dates Step 2: Identify any gaps in lawful status (> 28 days = problematic) Step 3: Calculate continuous residence to current date Step 4: Assess absences against 180-day rolling rule Step 5: Determine ILR eligibility (Skilled Worker 5-year vs Long Residence 10-year) Step 6: Confirm KOL + English requirements met Step 7: Apply via SET (Long Residence) form §7 — POST-ILR CONSIDERATIONS (60-80 words) Once ILR granted via Long Residence: ▪ Settled status — permanent unless lost via extended absence (2+ years) ▪ Can apply for British Citizenship after 12 months on ILR ▪ Spouse / family members can apply for settlement ▪ Children born in UK to settled parents = British citizens automatically (or on application) End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. Legacy HSMP / Tier 1 General cases are complex; engage an immigration solicitor with experience in pre-PBS routes. Reconstruct complete visa history with expired passports + HMRC SARS request. Long Residence route is often the cleanest path for legacy applicants who have spent 10+ years cumulative on various routes."
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