Uk Visa System Explained

By Author: John Bregar
Total Articles: 27
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The UK Points Based System was introduced by the UK Border Agency in 2008 as a way of regulating UK immigration; assessing whether a person is eligible to apply for a UK visa for work or study purposes. The system was split into five main categories (known as tiers), each have their own separate criteria and requirements. A brief summary of each tier is explained below, which will help get you on the right track for submitting a successful visa application.

• Tier 1 (Highly Skilled Workers) – This allows those with high skillset to live in the UK on the basis of work or self-employment opportunities. This includes entrepreneurs, investors, international graduates seeking to remain after their studies; or exceptional talentedworld leaders. This category does not require the migrant to have sponsor, which is a real advantage. This visa can lead to settled status (indefinite leave to remain)

• Tier 2 (Job Offer Secured) –Any person applying for a Tier 2 visa must have a skilled job offer from a UK employer; to take up a job in the UKthat cannot be filled by a settled ...
... worker. For this application to be successful, your UK employer willrequire a valid sponsorship license.This is required by all employers that deal with UK immigrationcases, and allows them to create a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for that person to undertake a specific role. However some applications will be subjected to the UK Government quota (immigration cap). Tier 2 is also split into subcategories which include general, intra company transfer, sportsperson and minister of religion. Similar to the Tier 1 visa, certain subcategories of Tier 2 also offer route to permanent residence in the UK.

• Tier 3 (Low Skilled Workers) – This category is for those who have been offered employment in the UK for a low skilled job. As with Tier 2, the UK employer must hold a valid sponsorship licence. However, at this time of writing,Tier 3 has been suspended for an indefinite period. The UK Border Agency believes that these labour needs can be met from within the European Economic Area (EEA). However, it is always important to keep updated with news on Tier 3 visas, as this could change in the future. Unlike Tier 1 and 2 visas, Tier 3 will not lead towards settlement and does not provide an opportunity to apply for indefiniteleave to remain in the UK.

• Tier 4 (Students) – This is for international students who have a confirmed offer to study within the UK via an approved education provider. For many, this will involve moving to the UK to study at a university, studying in a UK school or students on work experience courses or placements. The educational institution must also hold a valid sponsorship licence. The length of this visa will be dependent on length of the studies and can be applied for from within the UK or overseas. In some cases time spent in the UK on Tier 4 can lead towards settlement (on the basis of 10 years long residence, for example).

• Tier 5 (Temporary Workers) – This final tier is a temporarycategory, for individuals who are looking to take part in a working holiday or cultural exchange in the UK. This allows certain nationalities into the UK for specified period of time and hasreplaced the ‘Working Holidaymaker’scheme. This visa applies for a wide variety of people, looking to enter the UK for a short period of time and could include athletes, musicians, charity workers, religious workers or as part of an international agreement. Similar to Tier 3, Tier 5 cannot be used towards an application for settlement or indefinite leave to remain in the UK.