Britain on Wednesday announced a new points-based immigration system that will help highly skilled professionals like scientists, doctors and entrepreneurs from India and other non-European Union countries to settle in the UK.
Applicants under the new system will need to gain a sufficient number of points and scoring is based on a balance between the skills of applicants and skills needed in the UK, as determined by government research and statistics, Britain’s Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said.
The new system is designed to replace more than 80 different routes of entry into the country with a five-tier structure.
Tier one will become effective from the beginning of 2008 and will be for highly skilled migrants including scientists, doctors and entrepreneurs. Those entering the UK under this tier will not need a job offer.
Tier two will comprise nurses, teachers and engineers who have job offers in shortage areas and Tier three will cover low-skilled workers. Migrants in this category will require an employer to sponsor them.
Tier four for students will follow at the beginning of 2009. Students covered under this tier are those paying tuition in the UK.
{{/usCountry}}Tier four for students will follow at the beginning of 2009. Students covered under this tier are those paying tuition in the UK.
{{/usCountry}}Tier five will include working holiday makers as well as professional athletes and musicians.
Under the scheme, an applicant will need at least 75 points to be considered for a work visa. The points will be based on qualification, age and previous earnings.