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POINTS BASED SYSTEM: INTRODUCTION
During 2008 and 2009 the UK’s immigration system will undergo some of the biggest changes ever to affect those wishing to come to the UK to live and work.
The new Points Based System (or PBS as it will become known) aims to bring the UK’s immigration in line with other countries such as Australia and Canada which have been working with a points based system for many years.
The system is being put into place to allow more transparency on how people qualify and to remove some of the discretion element from the decision making process.
It will comprise 5 tiers, each being phased in gradually to replace the current immigration routes. The tiers are:
Tier 1: 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: This is for skilled workers who have a job offer. This tier will encompass the current UK Work Permit rules.
Tier 3: To allow limited numbers of low skilled workers to fill temporary shortages in the labour market.
Tier 4: Students.
Tier 5: For youth mobility and temporary workers, such as those who currently come under the Working Holidaymaker scheme.
Each tier may be divided into several subcategories. For example, Tier 1 is divided into several categories. The first of which: Tier 1 (General) is already replacing the HSMP. The second part of Tier 1 (Post Study Work), replacing the IGS, will be introduced in Summer 2008.
Information will be available on each tier and subcategory as it becomes available.
