The United Kingdom's points-based visa system is the main UK immigration route for migrants to come to the UK to work, study or train. The system replaced the previous Tier-based immigration structure and introduced a new framework for work, study and other immigration routes.
A number of significant changes were made to the UK visa points-based system on 1 December 2020, before the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020. Some current UK visa categories have evolved from routes that previously existed under the Tier 2 visa scheme.
You now have the Skilled Worker visa and Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes, including the Senior or Specialist Worker visa (formerly known as the Intra-Company Transfer route). The Tier 1 Investor visa route closed to new applicants in February 2022.
The UK visa points system requires applicants to meet specific eligibility criteria and pass a points-based assessment. In Skilled Worker visa applications, points are awarded for factors including sponsorship by an approved employer, salary requirements, English language ability and meeting financial requirements.
You must reach the required points threshold for your visa category for your application to be successful. The number of points required varies depending on the UK immigration route.
UK Points Based Visa System
The UK visa points-based system consists of the following:
- UK Work Visa: This includes the Skilled Worker visa route for overseas workers with a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence. It replaced the previous Tier 2 (General) visa category. Other work routes, including Global Business Mobility visas, ministers of religion and international sportsperson routes, are also available.
- Tier 3 Visa: This category was originally designed for low-skilled workers filling temporary labour shortages but was never implemented and no visas were issued under this route. The Tier 3 visa category no longer exists.
- Student Visa: Previously known as the Tier 4 visa, this category is for overseas students who wish to study in the UK. Applicants must have an offer from a UK educational institution that holds a valid sponsor licence before applying.
- Temporary Work Visa: The Temporary Work routes allow overseas workers to come to the UK for specific temporary activities. These include Creative Worker, Charity Worker, Religious Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, Seasonal Worker and Youth Mobility Scheme routes.
Other UK visas
The UK points-based visa system covers many work, study and business-related immigration routes. However, some visa categories, including visitor visas, family visas and certain business visas, operate outside the points-based system.
- UK Visitor Visas: This section has the information you need to enter the UK as a visitor, whether for business, tourism or other permitted activities.
- UK Family Visas: Whether you want to bring your family to the UK or join a family member already living there, this section covers the main UK visa options for families.
- UK Business Visas: This section covers a number of long-term business immigration routes that fall outside the UK points-based visa system.
Further information, help, and advice
Workpermit.com's team of specialists has over thirty years of experience in international visa services and has helped thousands of people to study and work in the UK.
We work in conjunction with OISC registered advisers who can assist with UK sponsor licence applications and visa applications to UK Visas and Immigration at the Home Office.
For more information and advice on UK immigration law and UK visa applications please contact us on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com