Important Changes To The Tier 1 & Tier 2 Visa Categories Of The Pbs
Following the Migration Advisory Committee's (MAC) recommendations regarding the Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the Points Based System (PBS) the Government has now approved several policy changes which will be implemented on 6 April 2010.
Some of the important changes will include:
Tier 1 General
- Initial leave to enter/remain is reduced from three to two years, with a three year extension subject to evidence that the individual is in highly skilled employment;
- Applicants who are already in the UK under Tier1/HSMP will be able to rely on transitional arrangements;
- Age - a threshold for the age category is extended to allow points to be claimed for those up to the age of 39;
- Qualifications - reinstatement of points award for a bachelor's degree (30) with reduced points being awarded to a PhD holders (45);
- Previous earnings - increase of the minimum threshold, points to be awarded for earnings above 25,000;
- Additional salary band is introduced with a threshold of 150,000 (75 points to be awarded);
- Professional qualifications appearing on the Points-Based Calculator (PBC) on the UKBA website are eligible for points according to the PBC results.
Tier 1 Post Study Work
- Graduates of UK medical schools (doctors) are now able to switch to Tier 1 PSW category within 12 months of completing the Foundation Programme rather than graduation to allow them completion of speciality/GP training ;
Tier 2 Work Permit
- Prospective earnings - 25 points are be awarded for earnings above 32,000;
- All non shortage occupations in Tier 2 General category attract 5 more points than in Tier 2 ICT category as a Graduate Trainee and Skilled Transfer is for limited period only and migrants are not able to switch into different immigration category;
- Tier 2 ICT will no longer leads to settlement.
The UK Government is currently reviewing the overseas earnings multipliers to ensure that they are up-to-date, further changes are likely to be introduced at the later stage.
Furthermore, the UK immigration authorities decided to implement a new category of the 'Highly Trusted Sponsor' under the Points-based System. On 6 April 2010 this category will be introduced for Tier 4, however, later this year it will be extended to businesses.
