THE UNITED Kingdom (U.K.) Government has outlined proposals for a new points-based approach to managing the flow of migrants.
No dates have yet been set for the phased implementation of the proposals outlined in a paper entitled 'Making Migration Work for Britain'.
The system will cover people from outside the European Union who are seeking to work, or study in the U.K. It will not cover short-term visitors, family reunification and U.K. ancestry routes.
Underpinning the new migration system will be a five-tier framework. This will help people understand how the system works and direct applicants to the category that is most appropriate for them.
Tier one: Highly-skilled individuals and entrepreneurs.
Tier two: Skilled workers with a job offer.
Tier three: Limited numbers of low-skilled workers needed to fill temporary labour shortages.
Tier four: Students.
Tier five: Youth mobility and temporary workers - people allowed to work in the U.K. for a limited period of time to satisfy non-economic objectives, e.g. working holiday makers.
For each tier, applicants will need sufficient points to obtain entry clearance (visas) or leave to remain in the U.K.
The system introduces a number of other new concepts:
A single application process for those wanting to work in the U.K., eliminating the two-stage process whereby the employer can be granted a work permit but the prospective migrant can subsequently be turned down for entry clearance or leave to remain in two completely different decisions.
Sponsorship: All applicants in Tiers two to five will need a sponsor. This may be an employer, an educational institution or a government (for Tier five youth mobility). The sponsor's rating (track record and policies in sponsoring migrants) will determine whether migrants receive more or fewer points for their certificate.
A skills-based authority, the Skills Advisory Body, will determine whether a sector qualifies as a shortage sector.
Further background information and details about the proposed changes can be found at www.ukvisas.gov.uk.
