UK Opens Visa Applications Under Points Based System

Charlie Expert Advisers UK Immigration Advise Immigration updates News & Events Shortage Occupations Tier 2 Visas UK UK Immigration UK Points Based Visas UK Visa News UK Visas Visa Application 14 December 2020 | | 0

The Brexit transition period is about to end on 31st December and with it comes the introduction of UK’s new point-based immigration system

The UK government officially launched the post-Brexit visa and immigration system last December 1.

Applications are now being accepted for the new Skilled Worker visa, allowing the brightest and best from around the world to apply to work in the UK from 1 January 2021.

This new program forms part of the post-Brexit UK immigration system, which will be fully launched on 1 January, 2021.

Under the new UK immigration system, the Tier 2 (General) category will be replaced by the Skilled Worker route. The changes to the existing scheme will be the removal of the often burdensome Resident Labour Market Test, although a genuine vacancy must still exist, and the suspension of the monthly limit on eligible applicants.

Interested individuals who will apply for a Skilled Worker visa will need a job offer, and also have excellent knowledge of the English language. This type of visa is valid for more than five years before it needs to be extended.

Together with the Skilled Work visa, several other visa routes are now open for application. Among them are Global Talent, Innovator and Start-Up visas, which can be obtained by individuals who show that they have exceptional talent or exceptional promise in fields of science, humanities, engineering, science, medicine, technology, culture and arts.

This simple, effective and flexible system assures employers that they can recruit skilled professionals that they need, and encourages them to train and invest in Britain’s workforce.
We are also opening routes for those who have an exceptional talent or show exceptional promise in the fields of engineering, science, tech or culture.
Home Secretary Priti Patel

Qualifying Criteria

In order to qualify as a Skilled Worker, applicants must obtain a total of 70 points.

A core 50 points will be earned from a job offer at the minimum skill level from a licenced sponsor, with the applicant being able to show evidence of their English Language ability.

An additional 20 points may be obtained via a “mix and match / tradeable” process, largely dependent on the salary rate offered, but also encompassing roles that are recognised as being a shortage occupation and those jobs requiring a relevant PhD-level qualification.

Applicants for Skilled Worker visa will need to earn a minimum salary of £25,600 annually unless the job applied for is on the Shortage Occupation List or the applicant has a PhD, in which case the minimum salary is reduced to £20,480. Previously the minimum salary was £30,000.

Skilled Worker points table

CHARACTERISTICS	TYPES*	POINTS
Job offer by approved sponsor	Mandatory	20
Job at appropriate skill level	Mandatory	20
Speaks English at required level	Mandatory	10
Salary of GBP 20,480 (minimum) – GBP 23,039 or at least 80% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)	Tradeable	0
Salary of GBP 23.040 – GBP 25,599 or at least 90% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)	Tradeable	10
Salary of GBP 25.600 or above or at least the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)	Tradeable	20
Job in shortage occupation as designated by the Migration Advisory Committee	Tradeable	20
Qualification: PhD in subject relevant to the job	Tradeable	10
Qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job	Tradeable	20

*You must meet all mandatory characteristics to qualify whereas other characteristics are tradeable to reach the 70 point threshold.

The decision on the application will be received within three weeks. If granted a visa, non-UK nationals can remain in Britain for up to five years and will be eligible to extend their visa or apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Other visas available

Global Talent visa – for people who can show they have exceptional talent or exceptional promise in the fields of science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology or arts and culture

Innovator visa – for a person seeking to establish a business in the UK based on an innovative, viable and scalable business idea

Start-up visa – for a person seeking to establish a business in the UK for the first time

Intra-company Transfer visa – for established workers who are being transferred by the business they work for to do a skilled role in the UK

Are you ready to submit your application? Comment below.

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