0808 109 0254Introduction to the points-based system for UK immigration
Over the past 2 years the UK's immigration system has undergone a raft of significant changes, particularly in relation to the introduction of the points-based system for managing immigration to the UK. The most obvious of these changes has been the launch of tier 1 and tier 2 of the points-based system in March 2008 and November 2008 respectively. The unveiling of the government's points based system has had a widespread impact on all overseas nationals seeking to enter, or remain in the UK.
The changes to the previous immigration system current managed migration programme were first announced in February 2005 when the government announced its review of the way it handled immigration to the UK, and since this announcement a large number of changes have been implemented.
In March 2008 the previous Highly Skilled Migrant Programme was superseded by tier 1 of the new Points Based System - developed to cater to highly skilled individuals who do not require a job offer in order to immigrate to the UK. Tier 2 was introduced in November 2008 and saw an end to the previous UK work permit scheme which had enabled skilled individuals with a job offer to come to the UK to take up employment. In essence, the new UK work permit 
scheme is similar to its predecessor, however there are also some very significant differences between the old work permit scheme and the new tier 2 work permit visa. One of the main changes is that employers who recruit and employ foreign nationals must now be registered with the UK Border Agency as a licensed sponsor. Failure by employers to hold a licence can result in considerable fines and having the right to employ foreign nationals in the future revoked.
About this website
This site has been developed with a view to unbundling the details of the Points Based System and providing you with an easy to understand overview of the system and the ways in which foreign nationals can apply to enter or remain in the UK. The content of the site will be regularly updated to reflect the latest information as it comes to hand. We appreciate your feedback or suggestions so please feel welcome to contact us if you have a recommendation for this website or a question you would like answered.
If you find this information useful and would like to link to it, please feel free to do so using the code provided below:
Example:
Points Based Visas - find easy to understand information about the UK's immigration system.