UK Immigration

The UK has recently adopted a new points-based system for assessing immigration applications, which the Home Office describe as the biggest change in immigration policy for 60 years.

The new system, which radically changes the way individuals from outside the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) can work, train or study in the UK, was launched on 29 February 2008 and is being rolled out up to March 2009, when Tier 4 for students takes effect.

In brief, the points system has re-categorized over 80 different routes to employment and education in the UK to just five tiers:

Tier 1: highly skilled individuals (previously HSMP).

Tier 2: skilled workers with a job offer to fill gaps in the UK labour force.

Tier 3: low skilled workers to fill temporary labour shortages. (currently suspended).

Tier 4: students wanting to come to the UK to study including student nurses.

Tier 5: youth mobility and temporary workers.

Migrant workers and students must gain points to qualify for each specific tier before they can apply for permission to enter, or remain in, the UK. Points are awarded, depending on the tier, based on the qualifications, experience, age, earnings, maintenance and language competence of the candidate.

You can check if you have enough points to qualify by carrying out a self assessment of eligibility online on the using the points-based calculator on the UK Border Agency website.

Under the points-based system, the UK Border Agency will decide who is admitted or allowed to stay in the UK. In order to assess this, the migrant will need to provide evidence of a sponsoring employer or educational institution in the UK licensed by the UK Border Agency.

The UK has a population of 60 million and is the world’s fifth largest economy.

The UK remains one the most popular destination for international students, which adds £8 billion to the economy, according the Home Office figures.

The Government has recently updated its official Shortage Occupations list for Tier 2 of the points-based system for migration to the UK.

UK immigration articles:

English UK win High Court battle over Tier 4 student visas

Government limit for Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system

UK Border Agency issue clarification on changes to Tier 1 points

Immigration consultation launched by Migration Advisory Committee

UKBA challenge Appeal Court Tier 1 ruling on AP (Russia) and others

Yes, overseas students are turning to universities as UK government clamp down on private colleges

Immigrant cap will ‘hit growth’ business tells UK Government

New Government-approved shortage occupation lists for Tier 2 of the Points Based System