Britain's visa plan for migrant workers gives hope to expats

Dubai: The UK is introducing a new visa system, which does not allow unskilled workers to emigrate.

The first tier of a five-tier immigration structure was introduced on June 30 that uses a points system, comparable to the system already in place in Australia.

According to this system, workers wishing to immigrate to the UK need to earn a certain number of points, depending on an age, previous salary before tax deductions and qualification scale.

Tier 1 replaces eight previous immigration categories, including the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP).

This first tier provides visas for "migrants with desirable professional skills", while the second tier is for "skilled workers with an offer of employment". These first two tiers offer "potential routes to settlement in Britain and may lead to the opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)", which is also known as permanent residency.

To qualify for a Tier 1 visa under the new system, 75 points are required. If candidates are under 27 it's 20 points, those with a PhD earn 50 points and previous annual earnings of more than £40,000 (Dh292,844 or Dh24,403 per month) earn 45 points, for example.

If you only have a Bachelors degree, however, you'd need to be under 27 years old, and have annual earnings of £23,000-£26,000 (Dh168,397- Dh190,313) before tax deductions to qualify.

According to Aries International, which specialises in emigration to the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, the main nationalities that emigrate to the UK are Indian, Pakistani, Filipino and Arab nationalities, including Syrian and Egyptian.

Current shortages

Cassie Walker, Branch Manager, Aries International Dubai, said: "What the British Government is introducing is based on the Australian immigration system. Unskilled workers at this time will not be launched — it's a system based on bringing in the people needed, to fill current shortages."

Walker continued that clients already half-way through the visa application process would have to comply to the new system if the application has not yet been processed.

Under the previous system, two applications needed to be made: one to the Home Office in London and the British Embassy. The new system allows one application to be made directly to the Home Office.

Candidates in some tiers are also required to be proficient in the English language, which was also a feature of the previous system.

Revised: Five-tier emigration plan

• Tier 1: Highly Skilled Migrants (replaces the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme). Starts from June 30, 2008. Points required: 75.
• Tier 2: Skilled workers with an offer of employment (replaces UK work permits). Starts from November 2008. Points required: 50.
• Tier 3: Temporary low skilled workers (replaces Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme and the Sectors Based Scheme). Start date to be confirmed.
• Tier 4: Students (replaces UK student visa service).
• Tier 5: Youth mobility schemes/temporary workers (covering a range of temporary employment opportunities). Starts from November 2008.

For more information, go to the UK Border Agency site: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk or www.tier12345.co.uk