LinkChinese UK News

BBC reports that new point-based system will start from 2008, according to Immigration minister Liam Byrne.

In a visit to Australia, which uses similar point-based immigration system, Liam Byrne announced the timetable of implymentationof the new point-based five-tier migration system. The first tier, for Highly-skilled workers such as scientists and entrepreneurs, will be launched at the beginning of 2008.

Later in the year, the tiers of Skilled workers, Low skilled workers, and Temporary workers will follow.

The tier for international students will be launched at the beginning of 2009. Under the new system, international students will have to find sponsorship from government-recognised educational insitituions. Home Office’s Border & Migration Agency recently announced the launch of International Graduate Scheme (IGS), allowing non-EEA graduates to work in the UK for up to 12 months after completion of their study in the UK.

With the exception of Highly-skilled workers, migrants in all working categories will have to have the sponsorship from UK employers. This, according to the government, will ensure compliance with the immigration rules.

(more…)

 

Home Office’s Border & Immigration Agency announced on 16 April 2007 the immediate addition of Teacher in Scotland into the National Shortage Occupation List for Work Permit. This includes all posts in Scotland covering compulsory schooling.

Removed out of the National Shortage List are Senior Physiotherapists, Salaried General Dental Practitioners, Salaried Assistant Dentists, and Salaried Vocational Dental Practitioners. This will take effect on 29 May 2007.

Link to the announcement on Working in the UK website.

 

A new scheme for the non-EEA country graduates to work in the UK for one year, International Graduate Scheme (IGS) will be launched on 1 May 2007, announced by Border & Immigration Agency of the restructed Home Office. IGS will replace the existing SEGS (Science & Engineering Graduate Scheme), allowing graduates of non-EEA nationals to work in the UK for one year after their graduation. Unlike SEGS, IGS can be applied graduates of all disciplines. Applicants must have successfully completed and obtained a degree, Master degree, PhD, or postgraudate certificate or diploma on or after 1 May 2007. If they want to reamin in the UK beyond 12 months period upon completion of their study, they can switch into an appropriate immigraton category. This change is part of the reform which moves towards a five-tie point-based system.

For those who graduated before 1 May 2007, they can apply using the IGS form, but will be considered under the SEGS critieria. IGS form can be downloaded from Working in the UK website from 1 May 2007.

(more…)

 

The young Chinese community reacted in disbelief and frustration to the new Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) rule announced by the Home Office. Since the announcement in 13th March, hundreds and thousands ofmessages flooded the LinkChinese UK online message board. Some were confused and puzzled, most were surprised, many felt angry and betrayed. The new rule most of people felt resentful is the immediate implementation of the switch from 4 year to 5 year ILR qualifying period for employment-related migrants.

(more…)

 

The Government launched a 16 week consultation of its new immigration bill. The consultation paper, named Making Migration Work for Britain, has been designed to target employers, educational institutions, prospective migrants and the public to gain their views on how the new five-tiered, point system should work. It is expected the prosposals and timetable for implementation will be announced in the Spring of 2006.

(more…)

 

The Fresh Talent: Working in Scotlan scheme has been launched since 22 June 2005. This scheme (FT:WISS) is part of Scottish Executive’s Fresh Talent Initiative to encourage people to consider living and working in Scotland and retain indigenous people who wish to begin, or to further, their career in Scotland.

UK Home Office annouced the lanuch of FT:WISS on its Working in the UK website. An in-country application form FLR(FT:WISS) is also available to download from the same website.

(more…)