In the past the UK immigration system was criticized by many prospective immigrants for being too confusing which made selecting the appropriate visa for a specific candidate a very difficult task. This was a system which discouraged many potential immigrants, particularly in the higher skilled bracket. With the recent restructuring that has been gradually introduced since 2008, the new tier system is much easier to understand and therefore acquiring an immigration visa for the United Kingdom is now relatively straightforward.
The first level of UK immigration visas is aimed at attracting the “brightest and best” candidates for immigration into the UK, as described by the Home Office. These visas are available to people of exceptional talent who must pass an assessment to qualify, including investors, entrepreneurs, and other highly skilled workers. Unlike with other tiers, candidates do not need a licensed sponsor and can apply for permanent settlement from within or outside the UK.
The second level of immigration visas is for applicants that wish to come to work in the UK on a work permit in medium to high skill level positions. The difference between this level and the first level is that candidates must have a certificate of sponsorship from an English employer to qualify. Successful applicants will have passed a points based assessment based on their prospective earnings and the demand for their particular skill set amongst others.
The third tier applies to candidates wishing to immigrate into the UK to perform temporary low skilled work. Just like the tier 2 visas, tier 3 applicants must have a company sponsoring them that is able to prove the attempted employment of domestic labor before attempting to recruit applicants from outside the European Union. Unlike the first two tiers, tier 3 visas do not constitute a direct route to permanent settlement within the UK.
The fourth level of visas targets foreign students and the encouragement of coming to the UK to study at university or college level. While this tier also requires the applicant to have sponsorship, the sponsorship needed can be offered by the educational institute to which the candidate will attend. Successful applicants will be able to change their specific courses within the same establishment without having to reapply for a visa.
The final level of UK immigration visas applies to applicants that wish to temporarily work in the UK in various disciplines such as employment in creative or sporting roles, voluntary work, religious work, and youth mobility schemes amongst others. This type of visa will not allow the applicant to apply for permanent residence in the UK and once the term of the visa is up, they must return home.
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