United Kingdom Abolishes Current Work Permit Scheme, Implements Points System

Recent changes to the United Kingdom ’s immigration laws will have an impact on employers seeking to obtain work permits for foreign national employees to work in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom ’s employer-sponsored work permit scheme in its current form will be abolished, and the new system will take effect, on November 27, 2008. The new system divides the employment-based immigration landscape into five categories, or tiers, of foreign nationals.

Tier 1 and Tier 2 are likely to be of the most interest to employers seeking to employ highly skilled workers, business persons, and highly educated individuals. Tier 1 remains largely the same as the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme to which many employers have become accustomed. Tier 2, however, represents a major change from prior policy. Tier 2 employers must obtain sponsorship licenses, and their sponsored employees must qualify for an entry clearance based on a points system.