The points-based system
The Points Based System (PBS) – this is a system for managing migration for those wishing to enter the UK for work or study.
In April 2009 , UK immigration underwent for complete process of improvement, replacing most of the current system of UK visas and UK work permits with a five tier points-based immigration service. The new system has replaced specialist routes to live and work in the UK such as the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, or HSMP, and superseded the UK work permit visa system, streamlining and rationalizing the wide variety of immigration visa services available at present.
The tier system has simplified the process of applying for a UK visa, restructuring more than 80 types of visa for UK immigration into a more straightforward, transparent system.
This new system consists of five categories:
Tier 1 visa - Migrants with desirable professional skills
Tier 2 visa - Skilled workers with an offer of employment
Tier 3 visa - Temporary, low skilled workers
Tier 4 visa – Students, general and child
Tier 5 visa - Youth mobility schemes/ temporary workers
Tiers 1 and 2 of the system offer potential routes to settlement in Britain and may lead to the opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR), often known as permanent residency. In tiers 2-5 applicants will need to obtain a certificate of sponsorship from the same sponsoring body. For tier 2 visas this would be a sponsoring British company, for tier 3 visas the operator of a specific worker scheme, for tier 4 visas the educational institution and for tier 5 visas the home Government of the candidate.
Introducing the system:
Implementation of the tier visa system began in April 2009 followed by a step by step roll out. The new system focuses British immigration services towards attracting those candidates best equipped to contribute professional skills and experience to the British economy, to reduce the opportunities to abuse the system, and to delegate some responsibility for applicants to their sponsors.
Exceptions:
This new system will not apply to temporary immigration solutions such as a UK visit visa, often known as a travel visa or tourist visa. UK visitor visas for tourists, due to their short term nature and the restrictions they place upon employment will continue to operate separately from the new tier immigration system and holders will not be able to switch into any of the five new tiers.
Furthermore, spouse immigration and dependent immigration will remain largely distinct from tier visas. The first two tiers of the system, along with the fourth tier in some circumstances, permit family immigration for an applicant's husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner and/or dependent children, in a manner similar to the previous dependency visa. However, the existing categories of the marriage visa, unmarried partner visa or De Facto Visa and fiancé visa will continue to be available outside the new framework
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