School News Network
Chandigarh, February 20 2020
UK Home Secretary
Priti Patel launched a new points-based immigration system, ensuring that
the UK continues to attract the brightest and the best from around the
world, including India. The new system takes effect from 1 January
2021. The new Points-Based Immigration System will award
points for specific skills, professions, salaries or qualifications/attributes,
and visas will be awarded to those who gain sufficient points. The system will
provide simple, effective, and flexible arrangements for skilled workers to
come to the UK. The new single global system will treat EU and non-EU
citizens equally, giving top priority to those with the highest skills and
the greatest talents, including scientists, innovators and
academics.
The minimum general
salary threshold will be reduced to £25,600 (approximately ₹23.8 lakh), down
from the previously proposed £30,000. The Home Secretary will also announce a
reformed Global Talent route. This will include a new fast-track
scheme for world-leading scientists, top researchers and mathematicians to come
to the UK. This will run alongside the Points-Based Immigration System and will
allow a small number of highly skilled workers to come to the UK without a job
offer.
Acting British High
Commissioner to India, Jan Thompson, said: “The new Points-Based
Immigration System is great news for Indian nationals looking to work in the
UK. It puts Indian applicants on a level playing field, and prioritises those
with the greatest skills and talent – something which India has in abundance. This
news is just the latest example of the UK’s continuing global outlook following
our departure from the EU, and further evidence of our commitment to
strengthening the UK-India Living Bridge.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Today is a
historic moment for the whole country. We will attract the brightest and
the best from around the globe, boosting the economy and our communities,
and unleash this country’s full potential.” These developments
come on the back of the UK’s Graduate route announcement,
which will allow eligible international students – including those from India –
to stay in the UK for two years after completing their studies to work or look
for work. The new Graduate route will be introduced from the summer of 2021.
There continues to be no limit on the number of international students who can
come to the UK to study. Indian nationals continue to receive more skilled work
visas than the rest of the world combined, accounting for 52% of all Tier 2
visas granted globally last year. Over half a million UK visit visas were
issued to Indians in 2019, up almost 10% from the previous year. Tier 4 student
visa numbers also increased by 63% last year – almost four times faster than
the percentage increase globally.
Ø The new Points-Based
Immigration System will award points for an appropriate job offer, English
language skills, and a salary threshold. The education threshold will be
reduced to A-level (Higher Secondary School Certificate or equivalent) from
degree level, and the general salary threshold is being reduced to £25,600
(approximately ₹23.8 lakh) from £30,000. Applicants will be able to ‘trade’
characteristics if they do not meet all the requirements. Tradeable points will
be given for salary, a job offer in a specific shortage occupation, and
educational qualifications.
Ø The UK Home Office
will publish further details on the Points-Based Immigration System in due
course, including detailed guidance regarding the points tables, shortage
occupations and qualifications.
Ø These new arrangements
will take effect from 1 January 2021, once freedom of movement with the
European Union has ended.
Ø The announcement will
also formalise a new fast-track NHS Visa for certain medical professionals with
NHS job offers, reducing their visa fees and providing support to come to the UK
with their families. Applicants will need to have a job offer from the NHS, be
trained to a recognised standard and have good working English language skills.
Indians are already the largest non-British group of staff in the NHS with more
than 21,000 healthcare professionals, including more than 7,500 nurses.
