The UK's New Five-tier Immigration Model Explained

Throughout 2008 and 2009 the UK will be phasing in its new immigration laws that have set out a five-tier immigration model. The five-tier model is a points based system that consolidates more than 80 existing work and study routes into the UK into five tiers. 

Tier 1 Visas: highly skilled

Tier 1 of the new points based system is set to build on the success of the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme by attracting the most talented people of the world to the UK. The aim is to keep the UK a leader in finance, business and technology. Dependents will be allowed join the migrant in the UK and will be permitted to work. Tier 1 Visas replace the HSMP, Investor, Innovator (Entrepreneur) and International Graduates Scheme categories. As such, this tier is aimed at the following sub-categories:

1. Highly skilled migrants
2. Investors
3. Entrepreneurs
4. Foreign students that have graduated from UK institutions of further or higher education

Tier 2 Visas: skilled

Tier 2 of the new UK immigration system, which is expected to come into effect in the third quarter of 2008, replaces the UK Work Permit scheme. It is aimed at attracting skilled labour who already have a job offer in specialties where the UK has a shortage such as information technology and engineering.

Tier 3 Visas: unskilled temporary

Tier 3 is meant for low skilled workers filling a specific temporary labour shortage that is usually seasonal in nature. This part of the new points based system is designed to replace the Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) and the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS). Tier 3, however, has been suspended from implementation by the UK Government.

Tier 4 Visas: students

Tier 4, expected to come into effect in 2009, is designed to cater for international students wishing to come to the UK and study at and institution of further or higher education. They will need to be sponsored by the institution and will need to score enough points to enable them to study in the UK. The points system has yet to be announced.

Tier 5 Visas: youth and mobility

Tier 5 is aimed at youth mobility and temporary workers and is designed to replace the Working Holidaymakers, Temporary Exchange Workers and Voluntary Workers category. Migrants will need a sponsor in the UK, as with all other tiers with the exception of tier 1. Migrants that come into the UK in tier 5 cannot switch out of this tier. If tier 3 does eventually come into effect, this will have the same restriction.