UK Skilled Immigration

The United Kingdom's immigration policy allows overseas nationals to live and work in Britain if they can score enough points for various criteria. This system is broken into five "tiers", with each tier covering various types of economic activity of the prospective overseas worker.

The system was inspired by a similar policy in Australia and by the now defunct Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP)

The first tier covers highly skilled migration, which includes -- as you would guess -- highly educated and skilled professionals (this sub-category of Tier 1 replaced the HSMP). Tier 1 also covers people who wish to come to the UK as wealthy investors and as entrepreneurs.

Tier 2 replaces the previous UK Work Permits scheme. Overseas workers coming to the UK under Tier 2 must have a job offer from an UK employer. Employers must apply for a license to sponsor overseas workers under this tier.

Tier 3 is for unskilled labor such as agricultural workers. This tier has been suspended indefinitely with the hopes that enough workers can be found from within the European Economic Area.

Tier 4 covers foreign students wishing to study at a UK educational institution. In this case the university or college must sponsor the foreign student, and obtain a license to do so.

Tier 5 covers Working Holiday makers and other temporary work. Some sports and creative endeavors are handled by this tier. Overseas nationals coming to the UK under Tier 4 will also need a sponsor, who in turn must be licensed by the UK government.