Like Canada, UK To Begin Points-Based Immigration System From 2021

Anyone seeking to migrate to the United Kingdom will now have to attain a set threshold of points before such plan can materialise, the government has said.

In a statement issued by the Home Office and Priti Patel, secretary of state for the Home Department, the UK government said it is introducing the points-based system in order to attract ”brightest and the best from around the world”..

According to the statement, the new immigration system will commence in January 1, 2021.

Points will be alloted to applicants for having a job offer at the appropriate skill level, knowledge of English and being paid a minimum salary.

Applicants will be awarded five-year skilled worker visas, open to extension, for earning points.

Canada has become a favourite destination for Nigerians looking to migrate after the North America country introduced a points-based immigration system that offers migrants permanent residency.

“The new immigration rules will ensure that businesses can recruit the most highly qualified from across the globe to drive the economy forwards and keep the UK at the frontier of innovation,” the statement read.

“It will also encourage employers to focus on training and investing in the UK workforce, driving productivity and improving opportunities for individuals, especially those impacted by coronavirus.

“They will need to have enough money to pay the application fee (ranging from £610 to £1,408), the healthcare surcharge (usually £624 per year) and be able to support themselves (usually by having at least £1,270 available).”

Applicants will get a decision within a three-week period after completing the application process online.

“This simple, effective and flexible system will ensure employers can recruit the skilled workers they need, whilst also encouraging employers to train and invest in the UK’s workforce,” Patel said.

“We are also opening routes for those who have an exceptional talent or show exceptional promise in the fields of engineering, science, tech or culture.”

Other visa routes that have been opened by the UK government include

• Global Talent visa for people who can show they have exceptional promise in the fields of science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology or arts and culture
• Innovator visa for a person seeking to establish a business in the UK based on an innovative, viable and scalable business idea
• Start-up visa for a person seeking to establish a business in the UK for the first time
• Intra-company Transfer visa, which is for established workers who are being transferred by the business they work for to do a skilled role in the UK