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Underpinning the new immigration system is a five tier framework. The tiers are:
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Tier |
Applications open |
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Tier 1 (General): highly skilled workers, such as scientists and entrepreneurs |
From 29 February 2008 |
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Tier 2: skilled workers with a job offer to fill gaps in United Kingdom labour force |
In the autumn of 2008 |
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Tier 3: limited numbers of low skilled workers needed to fill temporary labour shortages |
This tier is currently suspended |
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Tier 4: students |
In the spring of 2009 |
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Tier 5: temporary workers and youth mobility scheme: people allowed to work in the United Kingdom for a limited period of time to satisfy primarily non-economic objectives |
In the autumn of 2008 |
Employers wanting to employ foreign nationals will have to register with the Home Office as sponsors (replacing the work permit scheme). There will be a fee for registering and sponsors will be monitored and graded. The licence will be valid for four years.
At the moment only Tier 1 applications are being processed (these are highly skilled workers such as scientists and entrepreneurs. Applications for other workers are expected to be open later this year.
Click here to visit the UK Border Agency's website to find out more about the point-based system.
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