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What Are The Implications of Points Based Immigration System on UK Work Visas

Published on: 20 Dec 2020
Reading time: Approx 6 mins

The UK government exited the European Union to end free movement and introduce an Immigration Bill to bring in a firm and fair point based system. The government has brought a system that works in the interest of the UK and focuses upon a person’s skills instead of their nationality. This system will tighten security at the UK border and deliver a better customer experience for those visiting UK.

Objectives of the UK Points Based Immigration System

This system is set to revolutionize the way migrants come to UK to work, study, and visit or join their families. Broadly, the objectives of this scheme are:

EU and non-EU citizens will be treated with equality.
Top priority will be given to those with high skills and talents like scientists, engineers, academicians etc.
Commitment to protect individuals from exploitation by criminal traffickers and unscrupulous employers.

The UK government believes that it needs to shift its focus of the economy away from reliance on cheap labour from Europe and instead concentrate more upon investment in areas of technology and automation. This will also mean that employers would need to adjust accordingly. Since the Settlement Scheme for EU citizens has already received 3.2 million applications from EU citizens, the employers will be able to meet the labour market demands. To further support the employers, the government will keep labour market data under scrutiny to monitor any key pressure areas.

More details on UK’s Points-Based Immigration System

In the new points-based immigration system, points will be awarded for knowledge of English language, job offer at the appropriate skill level and payment of minimum salary.

Free movement will end and a multi-year programme of change led by Home office will be introduced to transform border operation and immigration system.
Further improvements will follow to the UK’s sponsorship system and the operation of the UK border.
Introduction of Electronic Travel Authorities will ensure those coming to the UK have permission to do so in advance of travel
A phased approach will be taken to ensure smooth delivery of the new system and to allow sufficient time for adaptation.

Impact the UK’s Points-Based Immigration System on Salary Thresholds

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its report on salary thresholds and point based systems which was accepted by the government. Following are its recommendations:

The general salary threshold will be lowered from £30,000 to £25,600.
Migrants will still need to be paid the higher of the specific salary threshold or going rate and the general salary threshold.
Applicants will be able to accept job offer against a lower salary.
For new entrants, the requirements will be set 30% lower than the rate for experienced workers in any occupation.
There will be no regional salary thresholds for different parts of the country.

The Visa Process for the UK’s PBS visa

Under the points based system, people coming from any country in the world for the purpose of work or study other than short term business visitors and short term students will be required to pay a fee in order to obtain a visa. Migrants will make their application online. Non-EU citizens will have to submit their biometrics at a Visa Application Centre. EU citizens living in the UK by 31 December 2020 will be eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, and key routes will be opened so that migrants can apply before January 2021. Employers who are not currently approved by the Home Office should apply if they want to sponsor skilled migrants. Public service providers and employers will continue to accept the passports of EU citizens as evidence of permission up until 30 June 2021.

For more information regarding the application process, can contact us – the details are provided below.

The UK government’s vision for their border system is to protect the public and enhance prosperity in the UK. Their intention is also to phase out the use of insecure identity documents for the migrants who are new arrivals, which means that most migrants will use a passport when arriving at the UK border. The citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, USA, Singapore and South Korea will be able to use e-gates who possess biometric passports.

Conclusion

The UK government’s initiative regarding the new immigration system is a simple, effective and flexible system that will ensure that employers can recruit the skilled workers they need and also encourage the employers to train as well as invest in the UK’s workforce. It is also opening routes for those with exceptional talent or promise in the field of innovation and technology. This new system will also bring equality between the EU and non-EU citizens as they will be judged based on what they can contribute to the UK economy instead of just their nationality. This system will change the operation at the UK border and also protect migrants and citizens from trafficking. It will focus on improving the UK’s economy by allowing talented and skilled migrants to contribute to it.

Reach out to us if you are seeking legal help from expert UK Points Based Immigration System consultants in relation to your UK Visa application and want to know more about Implications of Points Based Immigration System on UK Work Visas.

Our expert UK Visa and UK Immigration Lawyers are based in Mumbai | Delhi | Bengaluru.

The UK government’s vision for their border system is to protect the public and enhance prosperity in the UK. Their intention is also to phase out the use of insecure identity documents for the migrants who are new arrivals, which means that most migrants will use a passport when arriving at the UK border. The citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, USA, Singapore and South Korea will be able to use e-gates who possess biometric passports.