The New UK Point-Based Immigration System: Facts to Know!

UK has welcomed applications from prospective Immigrants who want to come and work in the country from 1 January 2021.

Citizens from the European countries and other citizens from the rest of the world will now have access to the UK point based immigration system from the year 2021.

Reasons behind the UK point based immigration system:

In the 2016 referendum, one of the major themes of the Leave campaign was, Taking Control of Immigration.

People from EU countries had an automatic right to work in the UK when the country was a part of the EU members

Work visa now has new system which will be based on points calculation.

Procedures for awarding the points:

Migrant workers who desire to move to the UK will have to earn up to 70 points to qualify for a visa,.
An offer for a skilled job from an approved employer will earn 40 points.
Ability to speak English will fetch an applicant another 10 points.
The remaining 20 points can be obtained if applicants are due to be paid at least £25,600 per annum.

Applicants who has better qualification can gain extra points (10 points for a relevant PhD, or 20 points for a PhD in science, technology, engineering or maths.) Also, an offer of a job in which the UK has a shortage (20 points), even if it doesn’t pay up to the amount mentioned above.

Equally, some jobs in health or education still merit 20 points even if the salary is less than £25,600. The applicant must be paid £20,480 as a minimum, and in line with set amounts for particular jobs in the four nations of The United Kingdom.

Application process for work in the UK:

Applicants may start online. But some people will need to visit a visa application centre in order to physically present necessary documents and prove their identity.

Such documents include a certificate of sponsorship from a proposed UK employer, and a proof that the applicant has good grasp of English language.

Cost of the application:

Cost varies depending on different conditions. This includes how many years the job seekers plan to work in the UK. Also, whether their job is on a list of skills that the UK has shortages of. For instance, vets and web designers.

The standard fee per person will be between £610 and £1,408, if their skills are not on that list.

Applicants will also have to pay a health surcharge of £624 per person per year when they apply. If they don’t get a visa, this money is refundable.

Moreover, they will have at least £1,270 available in their account to show that they have the means to cater for themselves in the UK.

Health and care visa

Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals have a fast-track entry system. Although, most care workers will not be covered by the scheme.

Eligible applicants for this visa will pay reduced fees and be supported through the process of their application.

Those successful ones will be spared of the immigration health surcharge.

Facts about study in the UK:

As many international students as desire to come and study in the UK are welcome.

For those applying from outside the UK, the new student visa application system allows them to apply six months before the course starts proper.

In summer 2021, a new graduate visa will be launched to allow students who have completed a degree to stay in the UK for two years. For those who have done a PhD, this will rise to three years.