0845 270 6815The Points Based System for UK immigration
Over recent 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. In particular the launch of tier 1 and tier 2 of the points-based system has had a widespread impact on all overseas nationals seeking to enter, or remain in the UK.
In March 2008 the previous Highly Skilled Migrant Programme was superseded by tier 1 of the Points Based System - developed to cater to highly skilled individuals who do not require a job offer in order to immigrate to the UK. In 2011 the UK government made the decision to close the Tier 1 General visa category to new applicants in an effort to reduce net migration to the UK. In addition, the Tier 1 Post Study Work visa cateogry has also been earmarked for closure in April 2012.
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 tier 2 UK work permit scheme 
is similar to its predecessor, however there are also some very significant differences. 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 to help you understand the Points Based System and provide you with an overview of the ways in which foreign nationals can apply to enter or remain in the UK.
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Points Based Visas - find easy to understand information about the UK's immigration system.