UK Migration
UK Migration
Updates
UK Migration

New Points Based System

If you are a highly skilled worker, investor, entrepreneur or graduate of a United Kingdom university

Former category for applying to work in the United Kingdom When does the category close? Appropriate new category of the points-based system When can I apply to the new category?
    HIGHLY SKILLED WORKERS  
Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) 29 June 2008 Highly skilled worker (Tier 1 General) 30 June 2008
Self-employed lawyers 29 June 2008 Highly skilled worker (Tier 1 General) 30 June 2008
Writers, composers and artists 29 June 2008 Highly skilled worker (Tier 1 General) 30 June 2008
    INVESTORS  
Investors 29 June 2008 Tier 1 Investor 30 June 2008
    ENTREPRENEURS  
Business persons 29 June 2008 Tier 1 Entrepreneur 30 June 2008
Innovators 29 June 2008 Tier 1 Entrepreneur 30 June 2008
    GRADUATES OF UNITED KINGDOM UNIVERSITIES  
Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme 29 June 2008 Tier 1 Post-study work 30 June 2008
International Graduates Scheme 29 June 2008 Tier 1 Post-study work 30 June 2008

If you are a sponsored skilled worker with a job offer

Former category for applying to work in the United Kingdom When does the category close? Appropriate new category of the points-based system When can I apply to the new category?
    SPONSORED SKILLED WORKERS  
Most work permits but not:
  • sports or creative people for less than 12 months (see sponsored temporary workers below);
  • some training and work experience schemes (see sponsored temporary workers below);
  • General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS - see sponsored temporary workers below); and
  • voluntary workers (see sponsored temporary workers below).
November 2008 Sponsored worker (Tier 2 General) November 2008
Overseas qualified nurses and midwives (with a job offer) November 2008 Sponsored worker (Tier 2 General) November 2008
Representatives of overseas media organisations November 2008 Sponsored worker (Tier 2 General) November 2008
Airport ground crew November 2008 Sponsored worker (Tier 2 General) November 2008
Some seafarers including those working on vessels on one-port voyages November 2008 Sponsored worker (Tier 2 General) November 2008
    MINISTERS OF RELIGION  
Ministers of religion November 2008 Sponsored worker (Tier 2 Ministers of religion) - for pastoral role that includes preaching to a congregation November 2008
    SPORTS PEOPLE  
Elite sports people or coaches at the highest level November 2008 Sponsored worker (Tier 2 Sports people) November 2008

If you are a sponsored temporary worker or wish to use arrangements for young people

Former category for applying to work in the United Kingdom When does the category close? Appropriate new category of the points-based system When can I apply to the new category?
    SPONSORED TEMPORARY WORKERS  
China graduate work experience scheme November 2008 Temporary workers (Tier 5) November 2008
Sports people or entertainers for jobs of less than 12 months but not:
  • athletes for the Olympics; or
  • those who now come permit-free (see categories still open, below)
November 2008 Temporary workers (Tier 5 Creative or sporting) November 2008
Training and work experience scheme, including medical training initiatives November 2008 Temporary workers (Tier 5 Government authorised exchange) - requirements will differ from those of the training and work experience scheme November 2008
Overseas government employees November 2008 Temporary workers (Tier 5 International agreement) November 2008
General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) November 2008 Temporary workers (Tier 5 International agreement) November 2008
Domestic workers in diplomatic household but not: domestic workers in a private household (see categories still open, below) November 2008 Temporary workers (Tier 5 International agreement) November 2008
Missionaries, members of religious orders and other religious workers in non-pastoral roles that do not involve preaching to a congregation November 2008 Temporary workers (Tier 5 Religious workers) November 2008
Voluntary workers November 2008 Temporary workers (Tier 5 Charity workers) November 2008
    YOUTH MOBILITY SCHEME  
Working holidaymaker scheme November 2008 Youth mobility scheme (Tier 5) - but only if your country participates in it November 2008
Au pairs November 2008 Youth mobility scheme (Tier 5) - but only if your country participates in it November 2008
Gap year November 2008 Youth mobility scheme (Tier 5) - but only if your country participates in it November 2008
Japan: youth exchange scheme November 2008 Youth mobility scheme (Tier 5) - but only if your country participates in it November 2008

UK Migration