Tier 12345 visa system

Early next year (thats 2008), immigration to the UK will undergo some massive changes, replacing much of the current system of UK visas and UK work permits with a five tier points-based system . The new system will replace specialist routes to living and working in the UK such as the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, or HSMP, and will supersede the UK work permit visa system, streamlining the wide variety of immigration visa services available at present, how exactly this is gong to be done is still a mystery, we will try and keep this page as upto date as we can, nothing has been formally released by the Home Office regarding the exact procedures, however the information below was updated - 07/04/07

How will the new system work?
The 5 tier system will simplify the process of applying for a UK visa, currently there are over 80 types of visa for the UK which will move to a more transparent system and hopefully easier to manage.

The new system consists of the following five categories:

• Tier 1 visa Migrants with desirable professional skills.
• Tier 2 visa Skilled workers with an offer of employment.
• Tier 3 visa Temporary, low skilled workers.
• Tier 4 visa Students.
• Tier 5 visa Youth mobility schemes / temporary workers.

Tiers 1 and 2 of the system will offer potential routes to settlement in Britain and may lead to the opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR), or permanent residency.
Remeber nothing has been finalised yet, however it is estimated you may be able to apply for permanent residence after two years for Tier 1 and after five years for Tier 2 visa holders
With the other 3 tiers , subject to meeting the appropriate requirements,you may be able to apply for British Naturalisation as a UK citizen.
In tiers 2-5 you will need to obtain a certificate of sponsorship from the relevant sponsoring body;

• for tier 2 visas this would be a sponsoring British company or UK based business
• for tier 3 visas the operator of a specific worker scheme
• for tier 4 visas the educational institution
• for tier 5 visas the home Government of the candidate.

Introducing the system:

Implementation of the tier visa system will begin in April 2008 followed by a stage by stage roll out. The new system will focus British immigration services towards attracting those candidates best equipped to contribute professional skills and experience to the British economy, to reduce the opportunities to abuse the system, and to delegate some responsibility for applicants to their sponsors.

Exceptions:

The new system will not apply to temporary immigration solutions such as a UK visit visa, often known as a travel visa or tourist visa. UK visitor visas for tourists, due to their short term nature and the restrictions they place upon employment will continue to operate separately from the new tier immigration system and holders will not be able to switch into any of the five new tiers.

In addition, spouse immigration and dependent immigration will remain largely distinct from tier visas. The first two tiers of the system, along with the fourth tier in some circumstances, permit family immigration for an applicant?s husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner and/or dependent children, in a manner similar to the current dependency visa. However, the existing categories of the marriage visa, unmarried partner visa or De Facto Visa and fiance visa will continue to be available outside the new framework.

The existing system:

The new system has yet to be implemented and in the meantime, make sure the company you are looking to use is at least OISC registereed and they know about these changes. Have a look at the points based visa site for more detailed information regarding this system.