Table Of Contents
- Does the point-based immigration system apply to EU citizens
- What is a point-based immigration system
- Visa Categories under the Point-based System
- How does the UK point-based system work
- Skilled Worker Visa Points
- Mandatory Attributes for Skilled Worker Route and Points against them
- Tradable Attributes and Points against them
- How can the points be trade
- Sponsored Visa Routes under the Point-Based Immigration System
- Unsponsored Visa Routes under the Point-Based Immigration System
- Semi-sponsored Route
- Examples of a few other Visa Routes and How to Earn Points There
- Final Thoughts
The UK offers the best economic and educational opportunities. The country gives a chance to foreign nationals to come here and contribute to its economy and educational aspirations. However, it does not want a flood of immigrants. Hence, in an attempt to bring qualified people from outside the UK, it introduced a point-based system. This is for certain visa routes for non-UK and non-Irish nationals looking to apply for UK work, study, or UK business visas.
Does the point-based immigration system apply to EU citizens?
Yes, from 1st January 2021, anyone, including EU citizens, wishing to apply for a UK visa will need to apply under the point-based system.
However, if an EU citizen starts living in the UK before 31 December 2020, they can apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. The point-based system was launched on 1 January 2021 when the free movement between the UK and EU ended. This means nationals of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland also have to apply for visas to come to the UK.
The point-based system mandates applicants to earn 70 points to be eligible to apply for the visa.
What is a point-based immigration system?
The point-based immigration system is a framework for foreign immigrants, including the citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. This framework has been designed to assess the eligibility of those applying as skilled workers, students, global leaders, and innovators. Applicants are awarded points on various attributes such as salary level, job offer, educational qualification, and English language proficiency. They need to earn 70 points to apply for a visa under the point-based system.
In this article, we will discuss the UK point-based system in detail.
Visa Categories under the Point-based System
- UK Skilled Worker Visa
- UK Global Business Mobility
- UK International Sportsperson Visa
- UK Minister of Religion
- UK Scale-up Worker Visa
- UK Health and Care Worker Visa
- UK Global Talent Visa
- UK Innovator Visa
- UK Student Visa
- UK Start-up Visa
- UK International Agreement Visa
- UK High Potential Individual Visa
- UK Scale-up Worker Visa
The list of visas under the point-based system is subject to change, and you should check the government’s official website before you apply.
How does the UK point-based system work?
The point-based immigration system works on the basis of points awarded for meeting certain criteria. For example, if you have a job offer from an approved sponsor, you are awarded 20 points under the Skilled Worker Visa.
You need to earn a total of 70 points to be able to work in the UK.
If you fall short of 70 points, your visa application will be refused.
Skilled Worker Visa Points
To be eligible to apply for a UK skilled worker visa, you need to earn a total of 70 points. Of these 70 points, 50 are mandatory and 20 are tradable. Let us see how you can earn 70 points.
Mandatory Attributes for Skilled Worker Route and Points against them
Offer of the job by an approved sponsor—20 points
Job at appropriate skill level—20 points
Speaks English at level B1—10 points
Tradable Attributes and Points against them
The tradable attribute is the ‘salary’ here. The minimum salary threshold per year is £38,700 or at least the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher). However, if you earn less than this, you can trade the points for the following:
- You have a PhD degree in a subject relevant to the job.
- You have a PhD in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) subject relevant to the job.
- If your job is included in the shortage occupation list
- You are a new entrant to the labor market, i.e., under 26 years old at the start of your career.
How can the points be traded?
20 points– Salary of at least £38,700 or at least the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)
20 points (10 points for salary and 10 points for PhD)– A salary of at least £34,830 or at least 90% of the going rate for the SOC (whichever is higher) and a PhD in a subject relevant to the job
20 points (0 points for salary and 20 points for the PhD in STEM subjects)– A salary of at least £30,960 or at least 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 code (whichever is higher) and a PhD in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) subject relevant to the job.
20 points (0 points for salary and 20 points for listed occupation)– Salary of at least £30,960 or at least the going rates for the SOC 2020 code (whichever is higher), and the job is included in the Immigration Salary List.
20 points (0 points for salary and 20 points for new entrants)– Salary of at least £30,960 or at least 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 code (whichever is higher), and you are a new entrant under 26 years old and at the start of your career.
Sponsored Visa Routes under the Point-Based Immigration System
The following are the visa routes where a UK organization must sponsor the applicant:
- UK Skilled Worker Visa
- The International Sportsperson Visa
- The Minister of Religion Visa
- The Scale-up Visa
- The Global Business Mobility Visa
Unsponsored Visa Routes under the Point-Based Immigration System
The following are the visa routes where applicants do not require a sponsorship.
- The Global Talent Visa
- The Innovator Visa
- The Start-up Visa
- The Graduate Visa
- The High Potential Individual Visa
Semi-sponsored Route
The UK Scale-up visa route is a type of semi-sponsored route. This is because the visa holder needs sponsorship initially, but they can change employers after the first six months.
Examples of a few other Visa Routes and How to Earn Points There
Similar to the UK skilled worker visa, foreign nationals applying for other visa routes under the point-based immigration system also need to earn 70 points. However, applicants can get points for attributes related to each particular visa.
You also need to note that only skilled worker visas have tradable points. In all other visa categories, points are fixed for meeting the necessary requirements.
High-Potential Individual
For high-potential individual visas, points are as follows:
Global Universities List degree requirement – 50 points
English Language requirement at level B1 – 10 points
Financial requirement – 10 points
UK Student Visa Route
Those applying for the UK student visa route, awarded points are as follows. There are no tradable points here.
Sponsorship Certificate, the course is full-time unless post-graduate leads to an approved qualification, the course is sufficiently advanced, and study takes place on-site – 50 points.
Financial Requirement (Funds to cover fees and living costs) – 10 Points
English language requirement at Level B2 – 10 points
Final Thoughts
UK point-based immigration system aimed to attract foreign talent. The framework of the point-based system is such that your ability to work, study, or do business is assessed on certain criteria. If you meet those criteria, you can earn certain points. Applicants on all visa routes under the points-based system must earn 70 points to be able to apply for the visa.
If you are need help regarding UK point based system, you can take the services of an expert UK immigration lawyer.