The points-based system for UK immigration

The UK’s points based system for migration forms a key component of the Home Office's immigration strategy – a strategy designed to enable the UK to more effectively control migration, tackle abuse and identify the most talented workers who can best contribute to the success of the UK’s economy.

The points based visa system has been developed following extensive consultation with employers, education providers and users of the existing immigration system. The points based system mirrors similar systems already in use in other industrialised countries. One such country is Australia, where supporters of this type of ‘entry through skills’ migration process believe it to be much more transparent and responsive to the needs of the economy.

To help develop the proposed system and ensure it fits the requirements of all users, the UK Government called on industry and education sectors to play their role in making migration work for Britain, and reminded them that they have a responsibility to help make the new scheme a success.

The desired key outcomes of the new system include:

• Better identifying and attracting of migrants who have the most to contribute to the UK.
• A more efficient, transparent and objective application process – for example, consolidating entry clearance and work permit applications into one transparent single-stage application rather than the complicated two stage approach currently in operation.
• Increased support from employers and education providers to improved compliance and reduce the scope for abuse.
• Ending employment routes to the UK for low-skilled workers from outside the EU, except in cases of short-term shortages.

Consolidation of the current entry routes
One of the main tasks of the points-based scheme was to consolidate the previous 80 or so work permit and study UK entry routes into 5 manageable tiers – known as the five tier system. To facilitate this, all of the work permit and UK entry schemes have been replaced by a single points-based system that is intended to only allow entry to those whose skills will benefit the UK. Essentially, the more skills you have and the more those skills are in demand, then the more points you will score and the more likely you will be allowed to enter the UK.

The points based system was intended to make it faster and easier for employers and educational institutions to bring in the migrants they need. The new system was also introduced to provide more certainty regarding which prospective migrants will be able to come to the UK.

Responding to labour shortages and identifying skills gaps
As part of the points based migration system, the Home Office have established the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) - an independent advisory board which will aim to provide accurate information about where the skills gaps exist within the UK labour force. The MAC are in a position whereby based on their research and findings they can recommend changes to the system in order to fill labour shortages and skills gaps.

For example, if it is found that in one year there is a shortage of electricians in the UK, the MAC may recommend granting more entry points to foreign electricians. Once the labour shortage has been rectified, the MAC may then recommend that the points awarded to foreign electricians are reduced.

Combating overstayers
Under the points-based system all foreign workers and students must have a licensed UK sponsor to vouch for them. This helps to ensure that businesses and colleges are fit to employ migrant workers and also that they take responsibility for making sure foreign workers and students comply with visa rules.

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