The UK is to have an Australian-style points systems for migration – and employers will be required to sponsor migrant employees.
Immigration minister Liam Byrne announced the proposals while on a fact-finding visit to Australia. They will be phased in from the start of 2008.
The new system will allow migrants to come to the UK under one of five tiers – replacing more than 80 existing routes of entry.
- Tier one caters for highly skilled migrants such as scientists and entrepreneurs and will be launched at the beginning of 2008.
- Tier two covers skilled workers with a job offer. It comes into force during the third quarter of 2008.
- Tier three is for low-skilled workers from outside the EU filling specific temporary labour shortages, construction workers for a specific project, for example.
- Tier four covers students and comes into force at the start of 2009.
- Tier five covers youth mobility and temporary workers – for example, working holiday makers or musicians coming to play a concert. It comes into force during the third quarter of 2008.
Points will be awarded to reflect aptitude, experience, age and also the level of need in any given sector.
The system of sponsorship by employers – and educational institutions for students – comes into force at the beginning of 2008.
“Migration has to support Britain’s national interests,” said the minister. “A new Australian-style points based system will be simpler, clearer and easier to enforce. Crucially it will give us the best way of letting in only those people who have something to offer Britain.
“With the exception of an elite group of highly skilled migrants all other foreign workers or students will need a UK sponsor to vouch for them and help us make sure they are playing by the rules. A new £20 million network of Border and Immigration Agency officers will be making the checks.”
Technology will also be used to record details of passengers intending to enter or leave the UK before they begin their journey and the strengthening of the UK’s visa system.
