UK: What the new points system means for you

In February 2008 the British Government announced plans to introduce a points-based immigration system for highly skilled foreign workers who want to move to the UK. The system started on 29 February 2008 for foreign nationals working in Britain who want to extend their stay. From April 2008 the system will be rolled out overseas, commencing in India.

There has already been much debate on how it will impact the opportunities for foreign students in the UK, and for post-graduation work. Here we explore what the changes are all about, and how they will affect your ability to study and work in the UK.

Until now, the UK immigration system has been very complicated. With 80 different options for work, training or study in the UK, assessments have been up to the individual case officer and sometimes based on subjective decisions.

Now, all this will be swept away. These 80 different routes will become five simple categories - with a clear points system for each. It is very similar to the system already used in Australia, which is seen as one of the simplest and most efficient in the world.

The UK wants to make sure that only people with the skills most in need will gain entry into the UK. It’s a way of ensuring the needs of their labour market are met. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have to switch your studies to plumbing just to get in! Points are also awarded on your age (the younger the better), your qualifications (the higher the better), your English ability, your current income and your ability to support yourself financially.

So, you can gain an advantage in the points system through further study in the UK, especially if it’s postgraduate study. And you’ll still have the opportunity to work in the UK once you graduate, through the new Tier 1 Post-Study Work sub-category.

Based on the current Home Office guidelines (which are still open to change), here is how it will now work.

There are five ‘tiers’ within the new system:

Tier 1: Highly Skilled – includes entrepreneurs, business people, and top scientists. You won’t need a job offer, and you’ll have the greatest opportunity to settle in the UK permanently.

Tier 2: Skilled with job offer – if your points don’t reach the required amount for Tier 1, you’ll need a job offer in an area where the UK is short of labour (such as nursing).

Tier 3: Low skilled – this category will now favour migrants from the EU.

Tier 4: Students – a simpler and more transparent system for student visas.

Tier 5: Temporary workers, youth mobility – covers sports people, musicians, cultural exchanges or working holidays.

The tiers most relevant to international students are Tier 4 and Tier 1. Requirements for student visas will not change significantly when this new tier is rolled out in 2009.

The main difference is that once you have accepted an offer from an accredited university or college, this will be enough proof that you intend to study. An entry clearance officer will no longer make an educational judgement about the suitability of your course.

Your institution will be known as your ‘sponsor’ under this system, even though there is (usually) no financial support involved. You can change courses once you have arrived, as long as you stay with the same institution – otherwise you’ll have to re-apply for your visa.

Under a Tier 4 Student visa, you’ll still be able to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, and you can still bring dependents with you.

Once you graduate in the UK, you may be able to apply for a Tier 1 visa. This replaces the current International Graduates Scheme and Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme. The Post-Study Work sub-category of this scheme allows the brightest foreign students (who have studied in the UK) to work after graduation, without having a sponsor. This visa will be valid for 2 years, at which point you may be able to switch into another sub-category or tier to remain in the UK.

Ultimately, the new scheme should be a fairer and less bureaucratic way to study and work in the UK. Because the points system is simple, you can easily calculate whether you have enough, or what you can do (such as further English study) to improve your chances of a successful application. The Home Office expects that they will be able to assess applications more quickly, and reject less, under the new scheme.

With extra points awarded for post-graduate study, you’ll have an even better chance for success if you take the opportunity to increase your qualifications. What do you think? Has the new system put you off the idea of studying in the UK? Or do you think it will be a fairer system? You can share your thoughts with our readers in the comment box below.

If you are unsure about any visa issues, whether it’s for the UK or any other study destinations, just talk with one of our StudyLink student counsellors. Their advice is free, and they can help you make the best decision about where to study and how to apply.

Comments

[sameer sachdeva]

hello ,
i m working as a medical representative from last 9 months. can i migrate to UK\ plz tell me how?

[hussein i.mansoor]

helo every one in this wonderful link... god bless study link although i didn`t get any practical benefits from this link till now because of the bad and unsuitable environment i`m living and my country live in .... i`m a doctor , arab board certified in medicine since 2001,,, can i find a course of echocardiography to study in uk......... and it will be a gate for getting outside my country and to settle in uk .... thank you very much....by

[SYED ALI ZULQARNAIN NAQVI]

dear sir:
i need a work permit sir

[abc]

Will my post study experience counts to HSMP tier 1 experience category........

[iram hamed]

helo,
i am human resource officer in biggest media group (jang Group lahore pakistan)can i migrate in uk plz tell me.

[muhammad iqbal]

with high hopes and deu respect thet i m muhammad iqbal afghan refugee here in pakistan
sir .i want moor education from your contery but i dont have money for moor education so .pleaes see me CV if u gave me a scholarship pleeas kind on me and gave me a good answer ....i hopes you will good undstan my mean ......im afghan refugee here in pakistan and here very porblim for moor sutdy pleaes help me and gave me a scholarship thenk you






CURRICULUM VITAITE (RESUME)
PERSONAL INFORMTION
Name MUHAMMAD IQBAL
Fathers Name Syed Anar Shah
Date of Birth 19/03/1983
N.I.C. No. 196403 (Tazkria)
Nationalality Afghanistan
Religion Islam
Present Address

Muhammad Iqbal Pakistan N.W.F.P Swabi Marhuz
Aka Khel School Banda
Post Code (23530)
Cell Phone – 00923018353217
00923018345687
-00923469807402
E-mail Address – [email protected]

ACADEMIC RECORD:
S.NO Certificate Degree Subject Session % Age Board / University
1 M.A International Relation 2006 Peshawar of University
2 BSC Medical Sc 2004 58 Peshawar of University
3 F Sc Pre- Medical 2001 51.63 B.I.S.E Peshawar
4 S.S.C Science 1999 64.82 B.I.S.E Peshawar
5 DIT One year 63.47 BTE Peshawar

[muhammad iqbal]

with high hopes and deu respect thet i m muhammad iqbal afghan refugee here in pakistan
sir .i want moor education from your contery but i dont have money for moor education so .pleaes see me CV if u gave me a scholarship pleeas kind on me and gave me a good answer ....i hopes you will good undstan my mean ......im afghan refugee here in pakistan and here very porblim for moor sutdy pleaes help me and gave me a scholarship thenk you






CURRICULUM VITAITE (RESUME)
PERSONAL INFORMTION
Name MUHAMMAD IQBAL
Fathers Name Syed Anar Shah
Date of Birth 19/03/1983
N.I.C. No. 196403 (Tazkria)
Nationalality Afghanistan
Religion Islam
Present Address

Muhammad Iqbal Pakistan N.W.F.P Swabi Marhuz
Aka Khel School Banda
Post Code (23530)
Cell Phone – 00923018353217
00923018345687
-00923469807402
E-mail Address – [email protected]

ACADEMIC RECORD:
S.NO Certificate Degree Subject Session % Age Board / University
1 M.A International Relation 2006 Peshawar of University
2 BSC Medical Sc 2004 58 Peshawar of University
3 F Sc Pre- Medical 2001 51.63 B.I.S.E Peshawar
4 S.S.C Science 1999 64.82 B.I.S.E Peshawar
5 DIT One year 63.47 BTE Peshawar

[Madhurima Ghosh]

I am a current MBA student of one UK's reputed B-School & joined after obtaining student visa. I have four years of work experience in financial companies in India. What is the chance of getting work permit in UK as per new immigation rule of UK?. Please let me know the same and oblige. Regards,

[amjed abdullamer]

hello
im amjed working perolleum engineer workin in refinery
how can i migrate to uk
thanks

[Lucio Freitas]

Who will support me to continue my study? And how can I get support?

[iraj bolboly]

i want study in uk in medicine major .
please admit me.

[iraj bolboly]

how can i imigrate to uk

[Jaimin]

Hello,
How this new immigration system is helpfull to students who wants to do thr Bechler dgree???
I m waiting for ur reply.

[Waseem]

Hello Study Link,
I am doing Masters in Law from Glasgow University hopefully that would finish by the end of this year. I have heard a news that British Government is going to abolish Frest telent scheme. Is this true or just a reumer?
Regards
Waseem

[hi]

does it mean that applying student visa will not be tiring when u have necessary document

[Mrs. Fareena Rusaik]

Dear sir, Pl. send the full details about the temporary immigration visa with work permite to study the Ph D degree

[Md. Ismail]

i am a post graduatre married student and my wife is Russian. we are staying in Bangladesh. we want to immegrant in UK. would you please tell me the procedure.

thank you.

[Ganesh Rawal]

i want to go UK THROUGH HSMP.
TELL ME ABOUT THE PROCESS

[abdul razaque]

i need to study in U.K, is there any simple process through which i can get the visa.

[sb]

hi im master of structural eng . i like study phd in uk. this article means that i can study and work? please tell me more info and how can i start to apply ?

[Ghulam Mansoor Jan]

hi i have done BCS(hons)
i wanat to get my postgraduate degree form UK ,but i have no resourceses to get there
please do something for me
thanks

[reyhane nooshmehr]

hello i am 24 and i am teacher.i teaching mathemathic in high school.iam iranian please helpe me for immigration and study in your univercity

[Pornour , Mahshid]

To whom it may concern
I'm a BA in English literature and an English teacher in highschool. I'm intending to study in UK. Please let me know how it is possible.By the way I'm 38 and married with 2 kids.

[Espie Cayabyab]

hi im a graduate of: Master in Educational Management specialized in School Administration; Post Baccalaureate in Teacher Education (licensure exam board passer); Bachelor in Computer Data Processing Management..

I'm working in the Graduate School of Polytechnic University of the Philippines; In-Charge of: GSMIS Center; Campus Network Operation; Computer Maintenance and I have 19yrs of experience in Student's Record Processing Management..

I wish to land a job in school and also interested to master's degree study in IT?

thanks!

[Paul]

I have 3rd class in Demography and Social Statistics, and am also an "Associate Fellow of Institute of Operations Research of Nigeria",what postgraduate course can I be admitted for in Europe?

[HARPREET]

I done my B.C.A (Bachelor of computer Application)from G.N.D.U(Guru Nanak Dev University) & I also done my IELTS test with overall 6.0 bands.I want to migrate in U.K.Plz tell me how can i migrate in U.K.I also visited U.K as a family visitor before 2 years & they also refused me as a family visitor on 1st april 2008.

[ebrahimalomisi]

iwant study english free
iam poor man

thanks
ebrahim

[sandeep singh]

i am indian citigen.but current i am student in cyprus in DBA for last two year.i want to complete my stuty of MBA in uk

[G]

Hi,
I'm a final year English Honours undergraduate from Sri Lanka.I'm finishing my BA by mid/end of July 2008 and am interested in doing my post graduate studies in UK.Can I know how to apply for PG studeis?
Thanks.
G.

[Jignesh]

hey this is jignesh patel
last 5 five years i m contd. to work as a accountan.

can i elegiable to immigrate to UK?

plz reply me ASAP

Jignesh