Five Tier Points Based System
The following information is about the UK's new points based immigration system. The five-tier points based system will be gradually phased in over the course of 2008 and 2009, so it's possible that information may change over the course of the following months. Please check back periodically.
Introduction
The United Kingdom is in the proces of overhauling its immigration law and implementing a points based system for non-European Union migrants wishing to come to the UK to work, study, and train.
The new immigration system is broken into five tiers and will replace the current 80 or so routes that exist now. Each tier will have different conditions, entitlements, and entry requirements for people wishing to live and work in the UK.
The United Kingdom recently started rolling out Tier 1 with the introduction of the General Highly Skilled Migrants sub-category, which is replacing the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). The rest of Tier 1 will include points-based schemes for entrepreneurs, investors, and foreign graduate students of UK educational institutions. If you are a highly skilled worker with the right qualifications, an entrepreneur, a wealthy individual with money to invest, a student, or you have a job offer from an employer who is willing to sponsor your stay in Britain, a Tier 1 visa could be right for you.
Five Tiers
The five immigration tiers are outlined below. Click each Tier to get more information from workpermit.com:
- Tier 1 Visas: For highly skilled migrants, entrepreneurs, investors, and graduate students. This is designed to replace the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), the Entrepreneur and Investor schemes, and the International Graduates Scheme.
- Tier 2 Visas: This is for skilled workers who have a job offer. This tier will encompass the current UK Work Permit rules.
- Tier 3 Visas: For a limited numbers of lower skilled workers to fill temporary shortages in the labour market.
- Tier 4 Visas: International Students.
- Tier 5 Visas: For youth mobility and temporary workers, such as those who come under Working Holiday agreements with other countries.
Tiers 3 and 5 are temporary migration schemes and if you apply for a visa under one of these tiers, you will not be able to switch to a different tier from within the UK. The UK has also suspended Tier 3 in favour of migrants from the EU; however, this may change depending on labor market demands.
If apply under Tiers 1, 2, or 4, you will be eligible to switch to another tier at any time after you are in the UK if you can meet the requirements of that tier. Tiers 1 and 2 can potentially lead to settlement if permanent residence requirements are met at the time of application.
Points Structure
Each tier will require you to score a sufficient number of points to gain entry clearance or leave to remain in the United Kingdom. Points will be awarded for various criteria specific to each tier. The ability to fund your initial stay in the UK and your ability to speak English will play an important role in most cases. See each Tier linked above for more details.
In Tiers 1 and 2, points will be awarded for criteria such as age, previous salary or prospective salary, and qualifications. This system is very similar to the current Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) which has proven very successful.
Sponsorship
If you are applying under one of Tiers 2 through 5, you will be required to have sponsorship from a licensed sponsor (an employer, government, or educational institution). The certificate of sponsorship assures the UK that you are able to perform the particular job or course of study, or otherwise fulfils the requirements to enter the UK under the specific tier.
Under Tier 1, you would not require a job offer and thus would not require sponsorship.
Dependants
Dependants are allowed to come to the UK with you in most cases. However, they will not be allowed to work if they accompany a student under Tier 4 if the individual has been given less than 12 months leave to remain in the UK. You are unable to apply under Tier 5 if you have dependent children.