a presentation by Adrian Farley, Farley & Associates, at University of Sussex, 13th October 2010
- 1. Current Work Schemes for Graduates Within The United Kingdom
By Adrian FarleyFarley & Associates
2. In an attempt to attract educated labour to the United
Kingdom the government have established and expanded a number of
work schemes aimed at simplifying the application process. Under
the points based system.
- Tier 1- (General) replaced HSMP
3. Post Study Work Visa
- In October 2004 the government introduced the Science and
Engineering Graduate Scheme (SEGS)
- Following the success of the scheme the government replaced
SEGS with new International Graduate Scheme on 1st May 2007.
- The International Graduate Scheme has been replaced byPost
Study Workwithin Tier 1 of the governments new 5 Tier Points Based
System. This came into effect on the 30 thJune 2008
- Under the scheme any non-EEA applicants who successfully
completes a recognised UK bachelors degree or higher, can currently
apply for 2 Years leave to remain without employment
restrictions.
- Application Form Tier 1 (Post Study Work) can be obtained from
the home office website, www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.
4. What Points You Need To Score
- You will need a total of 95 points to be able to apply.
- 75 points for your attributes
- 10 points for English Language
- 10 points for Maintenance
5. Attributes
- Qualification - 20 Points. Awarded for a UK recognized
Bachelors or Masters Degree, Post Graduate Certificate In Education
(PGCE) or PhD.
- Institution - 20 Points.Awarded for applicants that study at a
UK recognized Institution or listed body, or holds a sponsor
license under Tier 4 of the points based system. Institutes can be
found on the following web site
www.dcsf.gov.uk/recognisedukdegrees
- Immigration Status - 20 Points. Awarded where individuals had
leave as students, student nurses or dependents.
- Date of Award of Qualification - 15Points. Awarded for
applications made within 12 Months of awarding date.
6. English language
- 10 points for English language. You will automatically score 10
points for English language if you score 75 points for your
attributes.
7. Maintenance (funds)
- 10 points for available maintenance (funds). If you are
applying from within the United Kingdom, the balance must show that
you have had at least800in your account at all times over the
lastthree-monthsprior to application. Dependants require an
additional533to support each dependant as well as the funds needed
for the main applicant.(If dependants have been in the United
Kingdom for less than 12 months maintenance must be 1,600
each).
- If you are applying from outside the United Kingdom, the
balance must show that you have had at least2,800in your account at
all times over the three-month prior to application. (Documentation
cannot be more the 28 days old). Dependants require an
additional1,600to support each dependant as well as the funds
needed for the main applicant.
8.
- Essential documents required to obtain the PSW visa are:-
- Completed Application Form
- 2 Passport size photographs
- Police registration certificate (certain nationalities)
- University Degree (original) &/or letter from University
confirming details of applicant, course undertaken and that
qualification has been awarded.
- Bank statements for the last 3 months (originals)
9.
- In Country applications. 550 by post (Approximately 4-6 weeks
to receive a response). 800 for a one day service, rising to 850
from 1 stNovember 2010.
- Out of Country applications. 344 (Processing times will vary
from country to country).
10. Switching
- Only the following categories are permitted to
- switch In Country into Tier 1(Post Study Work):
- Student Re-Sitting examinations;
- Student writing up a thesis.
- Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (SEGS)
- International Graduates Scheme (IGS)
- Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme (FT: WISS)
- All other categories must apply from overseas.
11. The Advantages Of The Post Study Work Scheme
- Application is individual generated.
- It enables individuals to apply for jobs without the employer
needing to apply for a work permit .
- It enables the individual to obtain relevant experiencewithin
the 24 months.
- Leading to further long term employment opportunities.
Switching into Tier 1 (General) or Tier 2 (Skilled Worker)
- Where you have worked for a Registered Tier 2 Sponsor for more
than 6 months, they can issue a Sponsors certificate without the
need for resident labour checks
12. ? 13. Tier 1 - (General) Replacing Highly Skilled Migrant
Programme
- Individual lead programme that is the flagship of the
governments Points Based System.
- Since 30 thJune 2008 the old Highly Skilled Migrants Programme
was replaced by Tier 1 (General) Migrants visa.
- Since 19 thJuly 2010Applicants are required to score a minimum
of 100 points to qualify.
- In order to qualify applicants must provide original
documentation within the five point scoring categories:
Qualifications, Age, Earnings, English Language &
Maintenance.
14. Stage 1, Point Scheme Qualifications Points are awarded as
follows: PHD 45 Points UK Equivalent Masters Degree 35 Points UK
Equivalent Bachelors Degree30 Points Original Academic certificates
are required. Age 29 years or under 20 Points 30-34 years 10 Points
35-39 years 5 Points 40 and over0 Points Original birth certificate
or Passport required. 15. Earnings Over a continuous 12 month
period within the last 15 months. Under 25,0000 Points
25,000-29,999 5Points 30,000-34,999 15 Points 35,000-39,999 20
Points 40,000-49,999 25 Points 50,000-54,999 30 Points
55,000-64,999 35 Points 65,000-74,99940 Points 75,000-149,99945
Points 150,000 or above75 Points . 16. Evidence
- You will require two independent forms of evidence to attract
points in this category. These can beoriginalpayslips or an
employers letter for the 12-month period claimed (This must match
the gross salary for the period on the payslips), a
P60,originalbank statements for same period
17. UK Experience
- An additional 5 points may be earned through UK
experience.
- Either through UK earningsthat attract points under the
scheme
- UK academic or professional qualification that attract points
under the scheme
18. Competency in English Language (points Scored 10)
- Individuals will have to satisfy one of the following
criteria:
- Have passed a test in English equivalent to level C1 of Council
of Europes Common European Framework for Language Learning. (See
Appendix A).
- Come from a majority English speaking country. Countries
currently accepted as such areAntigua & Barbuda, Australia, The
Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana,
Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent
& the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, USA
- Have successfully completed a 3 year Degree course taught in
English that has been verified as equivalent to a UK Degree level
by UK NARIC
- Graduated in the United Kingdom at Degree level or above
19. Maintenance-(points Scored 10)
- If you are applying from within the United Kingdom, the balance
must show that you have had at least800in your account at all times
over the last three-months prior to application. Dependants require
an additional533to support each dependant as well as the funds
needed for the main applicant.(If dependants have been in the
United Kingdom for less than 12 months maintenance must be 1,600
each).
- If you are applying from outside the United Kingdom, the
balance must show that you have had at least2,800in your account at
all times over the three-month prior to application. (Documentation
cannot be more the 7 days old). Dependants require an
additional1,600to support each dependant as well as the funds
needed for the main applicant.
20. Interim Quota SystemFrom 19 thJuly 2010 the Government has
introduced an interim quota system until 31 stMarch 2011 for Tier 1
(General) applications made overseas. As a result your application
may take longer than normal if the limit is reached in the month
when you make your application: If your application meets all the
requirements and the limit has not been reached for the month when
you applied, they will issue you a visa in the usual way.If your
application meets all the requirements but the limit for that month
would be exceeded if they issued you a visa, they will defer your
application to the next month when the limit allocation reopens.If
your application does not meet the requirements, they will process
it as normal even if the limit has been exceeded. 21. You can also
use the points calculator on www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk 22.
- Original Degree certificates
- Original Payslips/Letter from employers confirming
earnings
- Original Bank Statements for last 12 months
- University letter confirming the degree was taught inEnglish or
recognised language test
- Evidence of the relevant level of funds at your disposal for
last 3 months
23.
- Allows flexibility of employment, no restriction of work type
of work.
- Attractive to potential employees in that you are responsible
for your own visa.
- Leads to settlement within the United Kingdom.
- Providing the original documentation required to attract
points.
- Maintaining sufficient earnings to remain within the
programme.
24. Switching In-Country
- If you are in theUK and you want to switch into Tier 1
(General), you must currently have permission to stay here in one
of the following immigration categories:
- Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
- Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme
- International Graduates Scheme (or Science and Engineering
Graduates Scheme)
- Postgraduate doctor or dentist
- Student (under the Immigration Rules in force until March
2009)
- Student re-sitting an examination
- Student writing up a thesis
- Writer, composer or artist
- any other Tier 1 category
- dependent partnerof a Tier 4 migrant
25. Application Fees
- In Country Application- Current costs 840 by post, rising to
850 from 1 stNovember 2010. Processing times are currently 6 weeks
One day applications cost 1095, rising to 1,150 from 1 stNovember
2010
- Out of Country Applications- Currently 750 (Processing times
will vary from country to country)
26. ? 27. OISC registered Farley & Associates UK Immigration
Specialists