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Posted on November 19 2020

Points-based system of the U.K promises better options for immigrants

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By  Editor
Updated March 31 2023

The UK has been a favorite destination for immigrants from around the world. The country is preferred for the countless opportunities in terms of studies and professional work benefits. The country has a population of 68,810,775 as of Feb 7,2023 with a GDP per capita of 38,490.05 British pounds.

UK immigration system

The points-based immigration system of the UK was introduced in 2021 on the 1st of Jan. The key features of the immigration system include the following:

  • Candidates from EU and non-EU countries will be given an equal treatment in terms of immigration.
  • The points-based system applies to students, skilled workers, and highly skilled professionals.
  • Skilled workers must have a job offer from a UK employer.
  • Salary threshold is set at 27,756 pounds per year, previously at 26,000 pounds.
  • Candidates who fall under the highly skilled worker category will need an endorsement form a UK-based company or organization without the needing a job offer.
  • Students who wish to study in UK must also fulfil the points-based system and submit a proof of admission letter from an educational institute along with enough funds proof and an English proficiency test.
  • The minimum score required for a UK visa is set at 70 points.

This new system has drastically increased the migration opportunities for skilled workers. The necessity for English language proficiency has made it easier for British employers to gain access to a larger pool of skilled workers.

The points-based system applies to all UK immigrants, whether from the EU or other countries, and its implementation has helped the government filter out candidates based on their skills and expertise.

The immigration program worked on eliminating low-skilled migrants from entering the country, contributing to the quality growth of the economy.

Permanent Residency

As a non-EU national, you can apply for a UK permanent residency, provided you have resided in the country for a given number of years. Given below is the list indicating the amount of time you have to spend on various visas in the UK to be able to apply for an indefinite leave to remain (ILR):

Categories Time of stay
Marriage or unmarried partner to UK citizen 2 years
Lawful stay on any basis (long stay) 10 years
Unlawful stay 14 years
Tier 1 and Tier 2 work permit 5 years
Investor, sportsperson, business owner, arts 5 years
Ancestry 5 years

You might be an eligible candidate if you have served the specified length of time and your stay in the UK falls under each of the above categories.

Work in the UK

If your skills align with the job given in the skill shortage list, you can improve your chances of getting employed in the UK. You can refer to the UK Shortage Occupation List, which will give you a clear idea about each requirement.

The home office and the UK immigration authorities finalize the Occupation List. The UK Shortage Occupation List can be known as an official declaration of jobs facing a shortage of skilled professionals and staff. The jobs included in the Shortage Occupation List maintain minimum salary requirements along with lowered application fees.

*Willing to apply for jobs in the UK? Avail Y-Axis job search services.

Professions like healthcare, engineering, Business & development, scientists, managers, etc., face a skills shortage. At the same time, employment growth is projected in professional services, transportation and storage, and wholesale and retail trade up to 2030.

Given below is a table that gives us an insight of the skilled occupation list.

Occupation code Job types included on the shortage occupations list Areas of the UK where there is a shortage Annual salary (80% of going rate)
1181 Health services and public health managers and directors – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £30,720 (£15.15 per hour)
1242 Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £21,360 (£10.53 per hour)
2111 Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry Scotland only 80% of going rate: £21,360 (£10.53 per hour)
2112 Biological scientists and biochemists – all jobs

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

80% of going rate: £23,760 (£11.72 per hour)

2113 Physical scientists – only the following jobs in the construction-related ground engineering industry:

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

80% of going rate: £29,200 (£14.40 per hour)
Engineering geologist
Hydro geologist
Geophysicist

2113

Physical scientists – only the following jobs in the oil and gas industry:

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

80% of going rate: £29,200 (£14.40 per hour)

Geophysicist
Geoscientist
Geologist
Geochemist
Technical Services Manager in the decommissioning and Waste areas of the nuclear industry
Senior resource geologist and staff geologist in the mining sector
2114 Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

80% of going rate: £20,720 (£10.22 per hour)

2121 Civil engineers – all jobs
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £28,000 (£13.81 per hour)
2122 Mechanical engineers – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £26,720 (£13.18 per hour)
2123 Electrical Engineers – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £29,600 (£14.60 per hour)
2124 Electronics Engineers – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £27,760 (£13.69 per hour)
2126 Design and Development engineers – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £27,280 (£13.45 per hour)
2127 Production and Process Engineers – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £26,480 (£13.06 per hour)
2129 Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £26,160 (£12.90 per hour)
2135 IT business analysts, architects and systems designers – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £29,280 (£14.44 per hour)
2136 Programmers and Software Development Professionals – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £26,640 (£13.14 per hour)
2137 Web Design and Development professionals – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £20,800 (£10.26 per hour)
2139 Information technology and communications professionals not elsewhere classified – only cyber security specialists

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

80% of going rate: £25,440 (£12.54 per hour)

2216 Veterinarians – all jobs
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £26,000 (£12.82 per hour)
2425 Actuaries, economists and statisticians – only bio-informaticians and informaticians

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

80% of going rate: £26,240 (£12.94 per hour)

2431 Architects – all jobs
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £28,000 (£13.81 per hour)
2461 Quality Control and planning Engineers – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £24,400 (£12.03 per hour)
3411 Artists – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £16,800 (£8.28 per hour)

3414

Dancers and choreographers – only skilled classical ballet dancers or skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK ballet or contemporary dance companies.

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

80% of going rate: £23,840 (£11.76 per hour)

The company must be endorsed as being internationally recognised by a UK industry body such as the Arts Councils (of England, Scotland or Wales).

3415

Musicians – only skilled orchestral musicians who are leaders, principals, sub-principals or numbered string positions, and who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK orchestras.

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

80% of going rate: £22,000 (£10.85 per hour)

The orchestra must be endorsed as being internationally recognised by the Association of British Orchestras.
3416 Arts officers, producers and directors – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £24,000 (£11.83 per hour)
3421 Graphic designers – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £18,800 (£9.27 per hour)
5215 Welding trades – only high integrity pipe welders, where the job requires 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £18,240 (£8.99 per hour)

5434

Chefs – only skilled chefs where all of the following requirements are met:

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

£29,570 – see description

the pay for which points are awarded is at least £29,570 per year; and
the job requires 5 or more years’ relevant experience in a role of at least equivalent status; and
the job is not in either a fast food or standard fare outlet; and
the job is in one of the following roles:
executive chef – limited to 1 per establishment
head chef – limited to 1 per establishment
sous chef – limited to 1 for every 4 kitchen staff per establishment
specialist chef – limited to 1 per speciality per establishment

 If you are looking to  Work in the UK? Talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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