The points-based system was first introduced to the UK in 2008 where Tier 1 was first piloted. 

In November 2008 Tier 2 and Tier 5 were introduced.

In March 2009 Tier 4 was introduced.

The points-based system (PBS) was introduced based on an Australian immigration system and the purpose of it was to reduce 80 visa types into 5 visa categories.

Tier 3 was never introduced.

All tiers under the points-based system fall under immigration control.

On the 29 March 2019 Appendix W was introduced as new immigration rules for Innovator and Start-Ups visa routes. In March 2020 Global Talent was added to Appendix W.

Who can apply as PBS Dependants under Tier 1?

If your family member holds one of these visa types, you can apply under Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain:

• Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa
• Tier 1 Exceptional Talent
• Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur
• Tier 1 Investor visa

When you apply under this visa type, you are applying as a PBS Dependant. You are not required to provide evidence of your English, but some dependants are required to provide financials to demonstrate they can support themselves once entering the UK unless exempt. 

Financial Savings

Each family member applying under Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain unless exempt must demonstrate in their visa application that they have held for 90 consecutive days and below explains what you need to provide per family member applying for a visa:

Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa family member:

• £630.00 if you are applying to enter the UK or remain in the UK and you been in the UK for over 12 months.
• £1890.00 if you are applying to remain in the UK and you not yet been in the UK for 12 months.

Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa family member:

• No financials are required

Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur family members:

• £630.00 if you are applying to enter the UK or remain in the UK and you been in the UK for over 12 months.
• £1890.00 if you are applying to remain in the UK and you not yet been in the UK for 12 months.

Tier 1 Investor visa family members:

• No financials are required.

Who can apply as PBS Dependants under Tier 2?

If your family member holds one of these visa types, you can apply under Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain:

• Tier 2 General
• Tier 2 Intra-company Transfer
• Tier 2 Minister of Religion
• Tier 2 Sportsperson

When you apply under this visa type, you are applying as a PBS Dependant. You are not required to provide evidence of your English, but some dependants are required to provide financials to demonstrate they can support themselves once entering the UK unless exempt. 

Financial Savings

Each family member applying under Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain must demonstrate in their visa application that they have held £630.00 for 90 consecutive days.

All funds must be held in a regulated financial institute per person applying as a family member for 90 consecutive days prior to the visa submission.

A-Rated Sponsor

If the A-Rated sponsor under Tier 2 certifies maintenance in the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), you do not need to provide financials. 

Note: Check with the UK sponsor that they happy to certify family members maintenance as well.

Who can apply as PBS Dependants under Tier 4?

If your family member is studying under one of these:

• sponsored by a higher education institution on a course at level 7 on the Ofqual register or above that lasts 9 months or more, or
• a new government-sponsored student on a course that lasts longer than 6 months, or
• a Doctorate Extension Scheme student.

When you apply under this visa type, you are applying as a PBS Dependant. You are not required to provide evidence of your English, but some dependants are required to provide financials to demonstrate they can support themselves once entering the UK unless exempt.  

Financial Savings Tier 4 General

Each family member applying under Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain must demonstrate in their visa application that they have the following funds:

• £845 pcm for London
• £680 pcm for outer London

If your visa is for 9 months or more, you need to provide the above sums and times by 9 months. 

Note: If you are applying as the dependant of a Tier 4 student who is on the Doctorate Extension Scheme, you will need to demonstrate maintenance for a period of 2 months.

All funds must be held in a regulated financial institute per person applying as a family member for 90 consecutive days prior to the visa submission.

Who can apply as PBS Dependants under Tier 5?

If your family member holds one of these visa types, you can apply under Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain:

• Tier 5 Charity worker
• Tier 5 Creative & sporting
• Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange
• Tier 5 International Agreement
• Tier 5 Religious worker
• Tier 5 Seasonal worker
• Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme

When you apply under this visa type, you are applying as a PBS Dependant. You are not required to provide evidence of your English, but some dependants are required to provide financials to demonstrate they can support themselves once entering the UK unless exempt. 

Financial Savings

Each family member applying under Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain must demonstrate in their visa application that they have held £630.00 for 90 consecutive days.

All funds must be held in a regulated financial institute per person applying as a family member for 90 consecutive days prior to the visa submission.

A-Rated Sponsor

If the A-Rated sponsor under Tier 5 certifies maintenance in the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), you do not need to provide financials. 

Note: Check with the UK sponsor that they happy to certify family members maintenance as well.

Who can apply as PBS Dependants under these visa types:

• Global Talent
• Innovator
• Start-up

If your family member holds one of these visa types, you can apply under Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain.

When you apply under this visa type, you are applying under Appendix W as a Dependant.

You are not required to provide evidence of your English, but Innovator and Start-Up dependants are required to provide financials to demonstrate they can support themselves once entering the UK unless exempt. 

Financial Savings

Each family member applying under Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain must demonstrate in their visa application that they have held £630.00 for 90 consecutive days.