Brexit: How does the new UK points-based immigration
system work?
Published1
December 2020
Applications have opened for people applying for visas
to come and work in the UK from 1 January.
From the start of 2021, European Union (EU) citizens
will be treated the same way as those from the rest of the world.
Why has
immigration to the UK changed?
When the UK
was an EU member, people from EU countries had an automatic right to work in
the UK.
Taking
control of immigration was one of the key themes of the Leave campaign in the
2016 referendum.
The new
system for work visas will be based on points.
How will
points be awarded?
To qualify
for a visa, migrant workers who want to move to the UK will have to qualify for
70 points.
Having a
job offer from an approved employer for a skilled job will earn 40 points.
Being able
to speak English will give another 10 points.
The
applicant can achieve the remaining 20 points if they are due to be paid at
least £25,600 a year.
They can
also gain extra points for having better qualifications (10 points for a
relevant PhD, or 20 points for a PhD in science, technology, engineering or
maths) or an offer of a job in which the UK has a shortage (20 points), even if
it doesn't pay as much money.
Certain
jobs in health or education still merit 20 points even if the salary is less
than £25,600. The applicant must be paid at least £20,480, and in line with set
amounts for particular jobs in the UK's four nations.
How do you
apply to work in the UK?
Applications
may be started online, but some people will need to visit a visa application
centre in order to prove their identity and show necessary documents.
These might
include a certificate of sponsorship from a proposed UK employer, and proof of
knowledge of English.
How much
will it cost?
The
application fee will depend on how many years the job seeker plans to work in
the UK, and whether their job is on a list of skills that the UK has shortages
of - for instance, vets and web designers.
If their
skills are not on that list then the standard fee will be between £610 and
£1,408 per person.
Jobseekers
will also have to pay a health surcharge of £624 per person per year when they
apply - that money is refunded if they don't get a visa.
And they
will need to show that they have the means to support themselves in the UK,
which usually involves having at least £1,270 available.
Health and
care visa
There is a
fast-track entry system for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Most care workers will not be covered by the scheme though.
Those
eligible for this visa will pay reduced fees and be supported through the
application process.
Successful
applicants will be exempt from the immigration health surcharge.
Applicants
via this route will still have to meet the relevant skill level and salary
thresholds.
Can people
come to the UK to study?
There will
be no limit on the number of international students who can come to the UK to
study.
The new
student visa application system allows them to apply six months before they are
due to start a course if they are applying from outside the UK.
A new
graduate visa will be launched in summer 2021, to allow students who have
completed a degree to stay in the UK for two years. This will rise to three
years for those who have done a PhD.
Does
everyone need a visa?
Citizen of
EU countries who were living in the UK before the end of 2020 can apply for the
EU Settlement Scheme.
They have
until 30 June 2021 to apply for settled status.
There are
also different schemes for some workers - for example, there is a Global
Talent, Innovator and Start-Up visa.
The
government says this is designed to attract "those who have an exceptional
talent or show exceptional promise in the fields of engineering, science, tech
or culture".
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