| Launch of Tier 1 of the points-based system |
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30 June 2008
From today all highly skilled workers, entrepreneurs and investors wanting to come to the United Kingdom will be able to apply for their United Kingdom visa under a new Australian style points-based system.
Under the new system, applicants will need to earn points to satisfy the visa service that they can make a positive contribution to the United Kingdom. Points will be awarded for objective criteria such as qualifications, previous earnings, age and United Kingdom experience. Only those with enough points will be able to get a visa.
The system replaces the two staged Highly Skilled Migrant programme with a single application that is far easier to use. Applicants are able to calculate how many points they will be awarded, and therefore if they are likely to be issued a visa, before making an application.
Border and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said:
"The introduction of Tier 1 of the Points Based System is good for those wanting to work in Britain and good for the UK economy."We are clear that we will not tolerate any abuse of our systems. That is why we have introduced fingerprint technology to check all visa applicants, a new force to police our borders and new rules that ban anyone using false documents or deception from the UK for up to ten years."
Today's changes introduce the first tier of the points-based system. Other tiers for students, skilled workers with a job offer and temporary workers such as musicians, actors and sportsmen will both be introduced over the next year.
This section explains how you can come to the United Kingdom or remain here as a post-study worker (Tier 1 Post-study work) under our points-based system to work in the United Kingdom. |
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| What is the post-study worker category? |
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The post-study worker category allows us to retain the most able international graduates who have studied in the United Kingdom. It also enhances the United Kingdom's overall offer to international students.
Post-study workers are free to look for work without having a sponsor for the length of their leave.
The category provides a bridge to highly skilled or skilled work. If you are granted permission to stay as a post-study worker, we expect that you will switch into another tier of the points-based system as soon as you are able to. |
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| How long can I stay under the Post-study Work Scheme? |
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| If you are given leave to remain (permission to stay) as a post-study worker, you will be able to live and work in the United Kingdom for a maximum period of two years. When the end of this period approaches you will not be able to apply to extend your stay, as we expect you to switch into another category of the points-based system. |
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| What points you have to score to apply as a post-study worker |
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To apply under our points-based system and be accepted into the post-study worker category, you must pass a points-based assessment.
You must score: |
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75 points for your attributes, which are a United Kingdom qualification, study at a United Kingdom institution, your immigration status during United Kingdom study and/or research, and the date of award of the qualification; and |
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10 points for English language; and |
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10 points for available maintenance (funds). |
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If you do not score a minimum of 75 points for your attributes and 10 points for English language and 10 points for available maintenance (funds), your application will be refused.
Use the points-based calculator to calculate how many points you have and whether you are eligible to work in the United Kingdom as a post-study worker under the points-based system. |
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| Self assessment |
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There is a points-based calculator which is an interactive self-assessment tool that allows you to calculate how many points you may be awarded under the post-study worker category (Tier 1 Post-study work) of the points-based system to allow you to work in the United Kingdom.
It should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.
To fill in the tool, you will need the following information: |
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your United Kingdom qualification; |
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the United Kingdom institution you studied at; |
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your immigration status during United Kingdom study and/or research; |
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the date of the award of your qualification; |
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your English language skills; and |
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maintenance (funds) available. |
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Once you have filled in all the questions, your points are calculated.
You must score a total of 75 points for your attributes, which are your United Kingdom qualification, the United Kingdom institution you studied at, your immigration status during United Kingdom study and/or research, and the date of the award of your qualification.
In addition, you must also score 10 points each for English language skills and maintenance. Therefore, you will need at least 95 points to be able to apply.
Calculate your points using the points-based calculator. |
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| How dependants can come to the United Kingdom |
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| If your application to the points-based system is successful, you are allowed to bring dependants (children under 18 years of age, or your husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried or same-sex partner) with you to the United Kingdom, provided we give them entry clearance or permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain'). |
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| Highly skilled workers system |
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| What is the highly skilled worker category? |
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| The highly skilled worker category is designed to allow highly skilled people to come to the United Kingdom to look for work or self-employment opportunities. |
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| Who can apply as a highly skilled worker? |
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Unlike our work permits (soon to be replaced by sponsored skilled workers - tier 2), you do not need a job offer to apply under the highly skilled worker category. When you apply you are awarded points based on your qualifications, previous earnings, United Kingdom experience, age, English language skills, and available maintenance (funds).
You can apply under the highly skilled worker category now if you are: |
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in the United Kingdom with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in an immigration category that allows you to switch into the highly skilled worker category; |
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already in the United Kingdom as a highly skilled worker and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category; |
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already in the United Kingdom under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, want to extend your permission to stay and are eligible to switch into the highly skilled worker category; |
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applying for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the highly skilled worker category. |
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| Schemes that closed on 29 June 2008 |
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The schemes listed below closed on 29 June 2008. It is no longer possible to make an application under these categories. If you currently have permission to stay in the United Kingdom under one of these categories and want to extend your stay you will need to apply under one of the new categories shown above.
If you have been in the United Kingdom for five years or more under one of these categories you may be able to apply for permanent residence (settlement) in the United Kingdom. You should read the pages relating to your current immigration category for more information. |
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Highly Skilled Migrant Programme |
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Business persons |
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Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland |
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Innovators |
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International Graduates Scheme |
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Investors |
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Writers, composers and artists |
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| Reference Material |
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