How changes to our immigration system affect your application to work here
This page explains how applications to come to work in the United Kingdom will be affected by our new points-based system. We are introducing the points-based system in stages. As we do so, our current work categories will close and be replaced with new ones.
The tables below tell you:
- when we expect the current categories to close;
- under which new category of the points-based system you may be able to apply instead; and
- when we expect to introduce that new category. (In most cases when we close one category and open the new one, we will do it overnight to ensure minimum disruption to applicants.)
Some categories are still under review or will not be replaced by the points-based system. Details of these categories are at the bottom of this page.
If you are a highly skilled worker, investor, entrepreneur or graduate of a United Kingdom university
| Former category for applying to work in the United Kingdom | When does the category close? | Appropriate new category of the points-based system | When can I apply to the new category? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIGHLY SKILLED WORKERS | |||
| Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) | 29 June 2008 | Highly skilled worker (Tier 1 General) | 30 June 2008 |
| Self-employed lawyers | 29 June 2008 | Highly skilled worker (Tier 1 General) | 30 June 2008 |
| Writers, composers and artists | 29 June 2008 | Highly skilled worker (Tier 1 General) | 30 June 2008 |
| INVESTORS | |||
| Investors | 29 June 2008 | Tier 1 Investor | 30 June 2008 |
| ENTREPRENEURS | |||
| Business persons | 29 June 2008 | Tier 1 Entrepreneur | 30 June 2008 |
| Innovators | 29 June 2008 | Tier 1 Entrepreneur | 30 June 2008 |
| GRADUATES OF UNITED KINGDOM UNIVERSITIES | |||
| Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme | 29 June 2008 | Tier 1 Post-study work | 30 June 2008 |
| International Graduates Scheme | 29 June 2008 | Tier 1 Post-study work | 30 June 2008 |
If you are a sponsored skilled worker with a job offer
| Former category for applying to work in the United Kingdom | When does the category close? | Appropriate new category of the points-based system |
When can I apply to the new category? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPONSORED SKILLED WORKERS | |||
|
Most work permits but not:
|
November 2008 | Sponsored worker (Tier 2 General) | November 2008 |
| Overseas qualified nurses and midwives (with a job offer) | November 2008 | Sponsored worker (Tier 2 General) | November 2008 |
| Representatives of overseas media organisations | November 2008 | Sponsored worker (Tier 2 General) | November 2008 |
| airport ground crew | November 2008 | Sponsored worker (Tier 2 General) | November 2008 |
| some seafarers including those working on vessels on one-port voyages | November 2008 | Sponsored worker (Tier 2 General) | November 2008 |
| MINISTERS OF RELIGION | |||
| Ministers of religion | November 2008 |
Sponsored worker (Tier 2 Ministers |
November 2008 |
| SPORTS PEOPLE | |||
| elite sports people or coaches at the highest level | November 2008 | Sponsored worker (Tier 2 Sports people) | November 2008 |
If you are a sponsored temporary worker or wish to use arrangements for young people
| Former category for applying to work in the United Kingdom | When does the category close? | Appropriate new category of the points-based system | When can I apply to the new category? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPONSORED TEMPORARY WORKERS | |||
| China graduate work experience scheme | November 2008 | Temporary workers (Tier 5) | November 2008 |
|
sports people or entertainers for jobs of less than 12 months but not:
|
November 2008 | Temporary workers (Tier 5 Creative or sporting) | November 2008 |
| Training and work experience scheme, including medical training initiatives | November 2008 | Temporary workers (Tier 5 Government authorised exchange) - requirements will differ from those of the training and work experience scheme | November 2008 |
| Overseas government employees | November 2008 | Temporary workers (Tier 5 International agreement) | November 2008 |
| General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) | November 2008 | Temporary workers (Tier 5 International agreement) | November 2008 |
|
domestic workers in diplomatic household but not: domestic workers in a private household (see categories still open, below) |
November 2008 | Temporary workers (Tier 5 International agreement) | November 2008 |
| Missionaries, members of religious orders and other religious workers in non-pastoral roles that do not involve preaching to a congregation | November 2008 | Temporary workers (Tier 5 Religious workers) | November 2008 |
| Voluntary workers | November 2008 | Temporary workers (Tier 5 Charity workers) | November 2008 |
| YOUTH MOBILITY SCHEME | |||
| Working holidaymaker scheme | November 2008 | Youth mobility scheme (Tier 5) - but only if your country participates in it | November 2008 |
| Au pairs | November 2008 | Youth mobility scheme (Tier 5) - but only if your country participates in it | November 2008 |
| Gap year | November 2008 | Youth mobility scheme (Tier 5) - but only if your country participates in it | November 2008 |
| Japan: youth exchange scheme | November 2008 | Youth mobility scheme (Tier 5) - if Japan participates in it | November 2008 |
Categories still open but under review
The following categories are still open but are under review:
- sole representatives of overseas firms - may change in the future;
- domestic workers (private household) - may change in the future;
- film crew on location - will come into new visitor category in due course;
- some sports people coming for a specific event - will come into new visitor category in due course;
- some entertainers coming to perform at a specific event - will come into new visitor category in due course;
- overseas qualified doctors taking the professional and linguistic assessments board (PLAB) test - will come into new visitor category in due course; and
- clinical attachments and dental observer posts - will come into new visitor category in due course.
EEA categories
The following categories of European Economic Area (EEA) worker remain open and are not part of the points-based system:
- worker registration scheme;
- Bulgarian and Romanian nationals;
- seasonal agricultural workers scheme - only open to Bulgarians and Romanians; and
- sectors based scheme - only open to Bulgarians and Romanians.
No permit needed
Postgraduate doctors and dentists (foundation programme following graduation from United Kingdom university only) need no permit.
