UK Points System

The UK government has outlined it's plans for the UK points based system Teir 2 level of immigration.

UK Points Tier 2 is fundamentally different that Tier 1. UK Points System Tier one allows a person so settle in the UK and seek employment with no restrictions. UK Points System Tier 2 allows a person to gain a work permit and permission to work in the UK before they relocate.

This process is much stricter and is limited to a set list of in demand professions. The prospective employer has two options to sponsor someone. FIrst, their profession must be on the Skills Occupation Shortage List. The second option is the employer must prove that there is no one in the entire European Union suitable for the position in order to bring you on.

Though it may make settling to work in the UK a little more difficult, Tier 2 is going to greatly simplify the system as it is replacing some 80 different UK work permit related programs.

Employers that wish to employ foreign nationals under the UK Points System Tier 2, must apply to be a sponsor. They have to agree to a certain level of requirements and agree to pay all the fees associated with gaining a UK work permit.

UK Points Based System Tier 2 is similar to Tier One in that a prospective applicant will be scored on certain requirements and must make a certain level of points in order to be granted the UK work permit. English language ability is a big score section of the test.

Pretty soon we'll have a complete breakdown of the Tier 2 points system so you can easily figure out where you stand.

Also check out the UK Skills Occupation Shortage List, this will tell you if your profession qualifies under the UK work permit program.

The new Tier 2 points system will be phased in during Autumn 2008.