This page explains in more detail the various tiers of the new points system and how it works.

Please note: The detail of the points-based system is being finalised so some aspects are still subject to change. The information provided on this website will be regularly updated over the coming months. Please re-visit this site to get the latest information.
A points-based system: five tiers

Underpinning the new migration system will be a five-tier framework. This will help people understand how the system works and direct applicants to the category that is most appropriate for them.

* Tier 1: Highly skilled individuals to contribute to growth and productivity
* Tier 2: Skilled workers with a job offer to fill gaps in United Kingdom labour force.
* Tier 3: Limited numbers of low-skilled workers needed to fill temporary labour shortages.
* Tier 4: Students.
* Tier 5: Youth mobility and temporary workers: people allowed to work in the United Kingdom for a limited period of time to satisfy primarily non-economic objectives.

The five tiers will cover all routes for those wishing to enter the United Kingdom to work, study and train; there are currently about 80 for these purposes. We have rationalised these into five tiers with different conditions, entitlements and entry-clearance checks. This will make the system easier to understand and use and allow us to adapt our policy on points and sponsorship to the very different needs of those entering the United Kingdom to work or study.

Tiers 3 and 5 are temporary routes – people in them will not be able to switch out of them once they are in the United Kingdom. Those in tiers 1, 2 and 4 will be eligible to switch between these tiers subject to meeting the requirements of the tier they wish to switch to. Tiers 1 and 2 will potentially lead to settlement if settlement requirements are met at the time of that application.

Dependants will be allowed under tiers 1, 2, 4 and 5. However, dependants will not be allowed to work where accompanying a student (tier 4) or a temporary worker (tier 5) who has been given less than 12 months’ leave in the United Kingdom.
Points and structured decision-making

For each tier, applicants will need sufficient points to gain entry clearance or leave to remain in the United Kingdom. Points will be awarded according to objective and transparent criteria. In all tiers, points will be awarded for control factors which indicate whether the applicant is likely to comply with their immigration requirements in the United Kingdom. In tiers 1 and 2, points will also be awarded for attributes such as age, previous salary or prospective salary, and qualifications. Prospective migrants will be able to assess themselves against these criteria, and see whether they are likely to have enough points to qualify before paying an application fee. An online self-assessment tool will allow applicants to score themselves against points.

Points allow us to have an objective way of making decisions and to trade off attributes against each other. The highly skilled migrants programme is already based on points and we have found this approach to be successful. Decision-makers will be able to rely on a more structured and objective decision-making process which is more transparent and easier to use for applicants.
Sponsorship and compliance

Those who benefit from migration (employers and educational institutions) should take on some of the responsibilities associated with migration. All applicants in tiers 2-5 will need to provide a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor. The certificate will act as an assurance that the migrant is able to do a particular job or course of study.

Sponsors will be expected to tell us if a sponsored migrant fails to turn up for their first day of work, or does not enrol on their course. They will similarly be expected to report any discontinuation of studies, or if the contract is terminated, the migrant is leaving their employment, or is changing educational institution.

There will be increased focus on compliance in the United Kingdom and more responsibilities for sponsors whose compliance will be checked through our account management structure. Account managers will provide help and guidance to sponsors in discharging their responsibilities but where there are concerns, compliance officers will be directed to make robust checks on job roles, qualifications and salary. Serious breaches of the rules may lead to sponsors being removed from the register and prevented from employing migrant workers.
Costs and charging

The costs of administering the new scheme will be recovered through fees and charges. As we develop the structure and services supporting the new system, the costs of each of the component parts of the system will be understood and an appropriate set of fees and charges will be available.

Our current plans are that those who benefit most from the immigration system will pay proportionately more to help fund the wider transformation of the system. This would apply to tier 1 and 2 applicants with costs for tiers 3, 4 and 5 set at or below cost recovery levels.

The actual proposed fee levels will be set out for approval by Parliament early in 2008

New points based system begins

Last Updated: 06 February 2008

Details of Britain’s new Australian-style points based immigration system (PBS) were announced today as the Government published the rules for highly skilled foreign workers applying to come to the UK.

The regulations will start coming into force on 29 February when any highly skilled foreign nationals currently working in Britain who want to extend their stay will need to apply under the new system. In April, the new system will begin to be rolled out overseas when anyone from India who wants to work in the UK as a highly skilled migrant will need to apply under PBS. By the summer the new highly skilled system will operate worldwide.

Speaking from Delhi during a visit to discuss how PBS will work with the Indian Government, 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 Highly Skilled tier 1 will build upon the success of the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme by continuing to attract the most talented people with the skills the UK needs to remain a global leader in the fields of finance, business, and technological innovation.

The announcement follows the completion in January of the Border and Immigration Agency’s global rollout of fingerprinting for all visas three months early. Now every person in the world coming to the UK on a visa has their fingerprints taken and their details checked against watch-lists – if they’re on the list for the wrong reason they can’t come in and could be banned from applying to come again for up to 10 years.
See also

* A points based system

I am working in Germany from last 21 months and now my work contract is valid for coming 06 months ? is it possible for me to apply for a Blue card.

The United States Permanent Resident Card, better understood as the Green Card, is the identification card of individuals who live permanently in the United States but are not U.S. citizens. It is the proof that the person is legally permissible to sta…

An advice to all aspirants: Please do not make any haste decision anticipating EU card is an option now. It takes time to formulate policies especially when whole world has eye on your venture. The time taken is justified. For sure when it comes up, it will be a big blow for those who are not offering such an option.

I am a Sri Lankan working for a Swidesh Company as a Snr.Software Eingneer and I have 10 years of programming exp, and doing my MSc in Adnavced Software Eingneering, offered by Westminister University UK. Am I eligible for Blue Card if I have a job offer ?

“It can be done using different English language certification institutions. For example IELTS…”
I think there will be a list of allowed language certification methods and TOEFL will be also there.

Never seen anything about such preference. Still, I guess that you may be exempt from presenting language skills certificates.

A job offer will be the most important “priority”. If you get it – you will get EU Blue Card, if not – then not.

If you’ve read all the posts and comments of this Blog then you know everything that is available for the general public for the moment. EU Blue Card is not yet available, there is no any final or official information on what is the application procedure, what are the exact steps or what are the initial steps that one should make. We need to wait till EU Blue Card gets available.

No information is yet available on the professional experience requirements for EU Blue Card. As you are interested in U.K. you may act now without waiting for EU Blue Card. U.K. has its own points-based system. Have a look at the http://www.workpermit.com/uk/uk.htm.

EU Blue Cart will most probably come into force during 2008-2009. It is 2-year permit, renewable unlimited number of times. There is no limitation on the types on the professional staff occupations, to my understanding. The key concept is that if you get the job offer – in any industry – you are fine (having some good age, education and language scores).

It looks like each EU member state will come up with its own list of ‘industries in trouble’. In any case, EU Blue Card applicant will need to have a job offer to get the Card. Naturally, EU employer will invite someone from outside only if he/she is unable to find local labor. Therefore the volume of people entering EU with Blue Cards in any industry will directly depend on local labor deficit level in that particular industry.

It looks like the IT is the industry that all, or most of the developed countries are naming as industry of insufficient local labor – we will see. No other ideas for the moment.

Also, if you compare immigration force skills that enter, for example US and Canada from one side and EU from other side you will notice significant differenced. Majority of highly-skilled people immigrate to US/Canada and majority of low-skilled people immigrate to EU.

My understanding is that EU Blue Card is trying to address these (and some other – like aging population, etc.) problems.

1. The only thing that is more-or-less sure is that you will need language certification(s) as well as job offer from EU country. You can start working on your English language certification training/exam/certification. If you know which EU country you wish to start with – then also language of that country. For the job offer – see if you have contacts in EU – friends, relatives, other – maybe they will be able to help with job offer. If not – start exploring they job market…

2. There is no official Web Site on EU Blue Card up to date.