On 13 July 2020, the Government published further details on the UK’s new points-based immigration system. The new information builds on UK’s points-based immigration system Policy Statement, published in February 2020.
The new system will apply to people arriving in the UK on or after 1 January 2021.
The statement and guidance documents provide information on:
- The requirements of the points-based system: Under the plans, those wishing to immigrate to the UK must gain a minimum of 70 points. These points will be allocated for meeting criteria such as having a job offer, speaking English or earning more than £22,000. There are also additional ‘tradeable’ points that can be gained.
- Salary and skills thresholds for skilled workers: From January 2021, a job offer will need to be at a required skill level of RQF3 or above(equivalent to A level). Applicants will also need to be able to speak English and be paid the relevant salary threshold by your sponsor. This will either be the general salary threshold of £25,600 or the going rate for the position – whichever is higher. The published guidance provides details for specific occupations accessing the Skilled Worker Route. Programmers and software development professionals, including games programmers, will need to be paid £33,330. IT Operations Technicians, for example Computer Games Programmers, will need to earn £24,5000. Business and related research professionals, including Games Researchers, will need to earn £29,700 to access the skilled workers route.
- A route for students and graduates: Student visa routes will be opened up to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria, which is outlined in the guidance. A new graduate immigration route will be introduced as part of the new immigration system. The graduate route is designed to attract the best students to the UK. An applicant will be able to work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to 2 years, or 3 years if they are a PhD graduate.
- Visiting the UK: EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and other non-visa nationals will not require a visa to enter the UK when visiting the UK for up to 6 months. All migrants looking to enter the UK for other reasons (such as work or study) will need to apply for entry clearance in advance.
- Other immigration routes: The guidance also provides detail on other immigration routes, such as the Global Talent Scheme whichwill be opened up to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. It will allow highly skilled scientists and researchers to come to the UK without a job offer.
The Government’s statement providing further details on the plans can be read here.
Detailed information about the new system can be found here.
The Government’s immigration guidance document, updated with the details announced today, can be read here.