UK’s Point-Based Immigration System, A New Doorway Of Opportunities

The government of the UK has turned a new leaf by introducing a new Immigration system.

The new points-based immigration system in the UK will reward merit and skill above all else. 

Inviting qualified scholars and experts from every field to make their careers in the UK.

How and Why it all started:

All this started with the end of England’s alliance with the European Union or after BREXIT.

BREXIT, the nickname used for the UK’s exit from the EU, took place on 31st of January 2020.

The decision was made on the premises that the cost of free immigration from European countries far outweighed the benefits of belonging to a unified monetary system under the European Union. The policy stated the intent to take back the control of the United Kingdom borders.

With the end of the free movement, a firm and fairer immigration system, that is called the ‘Point-based Immigration system’ will be implemented starting from the 1st of January 2021.

This system is designed to attract skilled and productive people from all over the world, regardless of their country.

The ultimate purpose of introducing the new immigration policy based on ability and skills is to create a high wage, high skilled, and highly productive economy.

How the UK’s points-based immigration system works:

The new system of immigration will work on the principle of awarding merit above all. You are qualified to apply and immigrate to the United Kingdom if you have the required skills and have proficiency in the English language.

As the name implies, the Point based immigration system works by awarding the points on set criteria.

Anyone who gets the required ‘points’ is eligible for immigration. These points are awarded based on having a secured job in the UK with an approved employer and speaking and understanding English.

The Points based system is simple, efficient, and effective. It is an employer-led system, allowing skilled workers from around the world to come to the UK.

All the people who wish to apply for jobs in the UK will have to go through the Points-based migration system, regardless of EU status.

Both EU and non-EU applicants will have to prove that they have been given a job offer by the employers authorized to do so and that the job offer they have received is at the required skill level also that they can speak English.

In addition to this, there is a minimum salary threshold, which means that the applicant applying should have a job offer that pays a salary at least reaching the minimum threshold. Only then will the individual be able to apply for immigration.

However, suppose they do not have a job offer that pays less than the minimum threshold salary, which is £25,600.

In that case, they become ineligible unless they earn at least £20,480, and can prove that they have been given a job offer in a specific shortage occupation or have a Ph. D relevant to the job. These shortage occupations are designated by the MAC. 

• 1st category: first among the non-tradable points is a job offer from a certified employer in the UK, it carries 20 points.
• Another 20 non-tradable points are awarded if the job is at the appropriate skill level of an individual.
• The last 10 non-tradable points are awarded for English language proficiency.

To reach a total of 70 points, you must score 20 points from the tradable points category. These tradable points are awarded in the following way:

• If a person has been offered a salary of £23,040 – £25,599, a total of 10 points are awarded.
• If the salary offered is £25,600 or above, then a total of 20 points are awarded.
• If the salary offered is less than £23,040, but no less than £20,480, a person will still be eligible if he fulfils other criteria. Because you can trade these points for higher qualifications and skillsets. These criteria and the points offered are:
• having secured a job in a shortage occupation as assigned by MAC. It will amount to a total of 20 points.
• Based on higher qualifications, that is if one has a D. in a subject relevant to the job. It will give them 10 points.
• Based on higher qualification, a total of 20 points will be awarded if one has a D., relevant to the job, and in a STEM subject, that is in subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics.

The results:

The end of free movement will stop the influx of low-skilled and less productive workers from other European countries to the UK. 

This has created more opportunities for British employers to hire highly skilled individuals worldwide to fill in the vacancies.

There are also exciting new opportunities for workers from all over the world who could not immigrate to England despite their greater skills and proficiency because there just weren’t enough vacancies.

Now that the immigration system is treating everyone equally, merit will be upheld and highly rewarded.

The New points-based immigration system also offers opportunities for students; they can also get a visa to the UK if they get the required points.

Students who want to study in the UK will have to prove that they have gotten an offer from an authorized educational institution, have sufficient English proficiency, and support themselves during their studies in the United Kingdom.