The UK has revamped its migration laws to include, along with its points system, a tier system that better categorises incoming migrant qualifications.
Overall, a potential migrant must have a minimum of 75 points in areas pertaining to age, education, previous work experience and any possible UK work experience.
Tier 1
Tier 1 is for highly skilled migrants that fall into one of four categories:
- General highly skilled workers
- Entrepreneurs
- Investors
- Graduate students
These workers do not need a job offer to enter the UK. The visa lasts for three years and can be renewed.
Tier 2
Tier 2 is for skilled workers who have been offered jobs by UK employers in areas such as education, IT and engineering, or any other area where there is a shortage of workers.
Tier 2 replaces the previous Work Permit Scheme. For the updated Work Permit Scheme, the employer applies for the worker's permit, and the permit is good only for that employer, for the stated job, and for the stated location.
Tier 3
Tier 3 has previously been for temporary workers in the lower skill areas, but this tier has been suspended indefinitely, as the UK believes it can fill these positions with workers from the EU.
The current Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) provides for unskilled labour and has a quota. A large percentage of that quota is reserved for workers coming from Bulgaria and Romania. The Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) provides for workers in the food manufacturing industry and currently applies exclusively to workers coming from Bulgaria and Romania.
Tier 4
Tier 4 is for students who are sponsored by a qualified UK educational institution. The point requirements for Tier 4 have not been determined. This category will go into effect in early 2009.
Currently, foreign students can apply if they have been accepted to a UK institution for 15 hours per week. If they have not been accepted yet they will apply as a Prospective Student. They must be able to finance their education and living expenses. These students can work up to 20 hours per week during term and 40 hours per week during holidays.
Tier 5
Tier 5 is for temporary workers who are under the auspices of a student exchange program or other Working Holiday programme. It has replaced programmes such as Working Holiday Makers, Temporary Exchange Workers and Voluntary Workers.
Working Holiday Maker visas are extended to citizens of the Commonwealth, British Dependent Territories or a British Overseas Citizen who is 17 to 30 years old.
There are restrictions on types of work that can be accepted. Voluntary workers – those who come to work voluntarily in qualified charitable organisations – can stay in the UK for one year.
See Visas for the UK for more information on visa options.