UK Points System

This past week the UK Immigration and Nationality Directorate announced the beginning of the new UK Points based System. It will be phased in over the next 12 months. How will this affect you? Well, it probably won't as first.

Beginning on February 29th, people currently in the UK under the HSMP program who want to extend their stay will have to apply under the new Points Based System. Don't worry, as soon as February 29th comes around we'll give you all the information you need to deal with this.

In April, the new Points Based System will be opened up to people from India who wish to immigrate to UK. They hope that by the summer, the system will be rolled out worldwide for everyone who wants to immigrate to England.

In discussing working with the Indian government on rolling out the new system, Borders and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said:

"Our points system is starting on time and on plan. I've no problem with taking the best systems in the world, like Australia's points system, and bringing them to the UK. This is a key part of the huge shake-up to our border security this year. The points system means only those migrants Britain needs can come to the UK. We know that migrants contributed to our economy to the tune of £6 billion to GDP in 2006. A strong system for highly skilled migrants is vital to Britain winning these benefits because these migrants are well-educated and pay lots of tax. We want India to come first because India is Britain's most important market for highly skilled migrants."

The new UK Points Based System for people looking to come to the UK outside of the HSMP or new Highly Skilled Tier 1 will be phased in over the next 12 months.

Check back soon for the latest news on the UK Points Based System.