Essentials For Employers - The Points Based Immigration System

The UK immigration system is being radically reformed by the introduction of a new five tier 'Australian style' points based system. The phased introduction of the system started in February 2008. In this bulletin we look at the main areas employers need to consider for each Tier (except for Tier Four which is for students coming to the UK to study rather than to work).

Very broadly, the five Tiers are as follows:

• Tier One – for highly skilled workers who do not need a job offer to apply.
  
  
• Tier Two – for skilled workers with a job offer, or for individuals being transferred to work in the UK from an overseas group company (Intra Company Transfers). This tier will replace the work permit scheme from November 2008.