The points–based system will include a route for UK skilled workers who have a job offer from an approved employer sponsor. From January 2021, the job you’re offered will need to be at a required skill level of RQF3 or above (equivalent to A level).
Principles of the Points-Based System:
- Underpinning the new system will be simplified rules and guidance for UK Skilled Workers. Over the years, the Immigration Rules, which set out the requirements a migrant must meet to come to or stay in the UK, have become long, complex and repetitive. The Law Commission’s recent review of the Rules identified principles under which they can be redrafted to make them simpler and more accessible and fit for the future.
- The Points-Based System will be streamlined and simplified, making the best use of technology and implementing the recommendations of the Law Commission.
- As we replace freedom of movement with the Points-Based System, we remain committed to protecting individuals from modern slavery and exploitation by criminal traffickers and unscrupulous employers.
Requirements:
- EU and non-EU citizens wishing to come to and live in the UK from 1 January 2021 will need to demonstrate their right to be in the UK and the entitlements they have. All applicants will receive written confirmation of their immigration status. EU citizens will additionally be provided with secure access to their immigration status information via an online service which they will be able to use to confirm their rights and to access services when necessary, instead of a physical status document.
- EU and non-EU citizens who are entitled to work will be able to use an online service to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. This online service, which has been in operation since January 2019, makes right to work checks simpler for employers, by making individual’s right to work information available in real time and removing the need for physical document checks. This also allows the option for checks to be conducted remotely, for example via video call. A similar online right to rent service, which most individuals will be able to use, is planned for later this year, making right to rent checks easier for landlords.
Coming to work
Skilled Worker
- As set out in the Policy Statement published on 19 February, anyone coming to the UK for work, including EU citizens, will need to demonstrate they meet a specific set of requirements for which they will score points. There is no overall cap on the number who can apply for this Skilled Worker route.
- The applicant must meet the following mandatory criteria in addition to passing the relevant UK criminality checks:
- The applicant must have an offer of a job from a licensed sponsor;
- The job must be at or above the minimum skill level: RQF3 level or equivalent (Alevel or equivalent qualification). Workers will not need to hold a formal qualification. It is the skill level of the job they will be doing which is important.
- The applicant must speak English to an acceptable standard.
Tradeable points
- Meeting the mandatory criteria above will earn the applicant 50 points; they must obtain a further 20 “tradeable” points through a combination of points for their salary, a job in a shortage occupation or a relevant PhD.
- If the applicant is paid the higher of the general salary threshold of £25,600 or the “going rate” for their particular job, they will get an extra 20 points.
- Non-tradeable points (mandatory) – 50 required
- Offer of a job by an approved sponsor 20
- Job at an appropriate skill level 20
- English language skills at level B1 (intermediate) 10
- Salary of at least £25,600 Job in a shortage occupation (as designated by the MAC) 20
Application fees: (Applying from overseas)
- Skilled Worker: Up to 3 years: £610 and Over 3 years: £1,220 ,
- Shortage occupation up to 3 years: £464
- Shortage occupation over 3 years: £928
The UK’s Points-Based Immigration System