Govt unveils new immigration rules
LONDON (AFP) — A new points-based immigration system designed to regulate the number of skilled immigrants coming to work in Britain will be introduced this year, the Home Office announced Tuesday.
Under the new guidelines workers entering the country from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) will have to accrue the required number of points and show evidence of a job offer before they can enter Britain.
Points will be awarded according to the applicant's qualifications, salary prospects and age.
"Our new points system means that British jobseekers get the first crack of the whip and that only the skilled migrants we actually need will be able to come," said Border and Immigration minister Liam Byrne.
"By moving points up or down, we can make sure the numbers we allow in to the UK are in line with the needs of business and the country as a whole," he added.
The first stage of the new system was already put in place from February, applying to highly-skilled workers residing in the country and who wish to extend their stay.
The second stage announced Tuesday will apply to skilled workers from this autumn.
Firms will have to prove they cannot find a British worker to do the job, while a potential skilled immigrant will have to speak good English and earn over 24,000 pounds a year or be well qualified.
A similar scheme covering temporary workers, young people and students will be rolled out later this year.
According to the Home Office 65,000 skilled workers entered Britain from outside the EEA in the 12 months to last September, but that under the new points-based scheme that figure would have fallen to 57,000.
