Announcement On Points Based System

Liam Byrne, the Minister for Immigration, yesterday announced the time table for the roll-out of the new Points Based System ("PBS") for managed migration:-

Tier 1, which will cater for highly skilled migrants such scientists and entrepreneurs, will be launched at the beginning of 2008;

Tier 2, which is designed for skilled workers with a job offer, and Tier 5, for youth mobility and temporary workers, will be launched in the third quarter of 2008; and

Tier 4 which is for students, will be brought in at the beginning of 2009.

The system of sponsorship by employers and educational institutions to ensure compliance with the new PBS system will be introduced as part of the new system at the beginning of next year.

The Government believes that regulating migration through this new system, which is designed to be simpler and more secure, sits squarely alongside Government initiatives to tighten UK immigration controls. This includes implementing new technology to record details of passengers intending to enter or leave the UK before they begin their journey, and the strengthening of the UK's visa system.

For further information on the Managed Migration system and what it means for your business please see the article in full below:

Full Article

Proposed New Points Based System For Migration

On 7 March 2006 the Home Office published a paper on changes to the UK immigration system under the Government's five year plan that was announced in February 2005: "Controlling our borders: Making migration work for Britain, five year strategy for asylum and immigration". The Home Office advise that the new system will be designed in consultation with interested parties over the next couple of years and will be phased in (probably Tier 1 first). No dates have yet been set for when this phased implementation will start.

The first changes to come into force following the 7 March announcement were publicised on 13 March 2006 and affect people applying for leave to remain and indefinite leave to remain (or settlement) in the UK. These important changes will take almost immediate effect from 3 April this year. The changes extend the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) from 4 years to 5 years for persons in all current employment-related categories of entry to the UK (including work permit holders, highly skilled migrants, investors, innovators, sole representatives, UK ancestry entrants, those setting up in business or self...

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