The government have announced they will introduce a points-based immigration system to determine who can or cannot get a visa to live and work in the UK.
Pre-Brexit, EU citizens had an automatic right to live and work in the UK, but now they will face the same visa guidelines as those coming here from the rest of the world.
But would you pass the test? You’ll need to collect 70 points from your various qualifications to make it.
Compulsory
Speak English – 10 points – You will need to be able to speak English to pick up your first points.
Job offer – 20 points – If you have a job offer from an approved sponsor then you can get yourself 20 points.
Appropriate skill level – 20 points – The job can’t be unskilled – it needs to be something that not just anyone could do. If your job requires a degree or at least an A-level qualification then you can pick up the points.
If you said no to any of the three compulsory requirements above it is unlikely you will be eligible for a visa.
If you’ve passed, you have 50 points – so you just need 20 more from your options below:
Minimum Salary – 10/20 points – If the job you are applying for pays less than £20,480 a year you will be disqualified from applying for a visa.
If you are lucky enough to have a job offer paying between £20,480 and £23,039 then you will receive zero points but will be able to make up the extra 20 that you need from the shortage occupation and PhD options below.
If the job pays between £23,039 and £25,600, you will get yourself 10 points and if you are offered a job that pays £25,600 or more then you will get the last remaining 20 points you need to get the visa.
Shortage Occupation – 20 points – Some occupations can be designated “shortage occupations” by the Migration Advisory Committee. There is not much detail at the moment on what these occupations are going to be. If you sense that your job is tough to fill then you can have another 20 points and you will most likely be granted a visa.
Science PhD – 20 points – If you have a PhD in science, technology, engineering or mathematics and have a job offer with a salary over £20,480 you have just collected your last remaining points needed for your visa.
PhD – 10 points – If you have a PhD in a subject relevant to the job you are applying for then another 10 points are yours. (So long as you meet the salary criteria)
How did you get on? Would you be able to pick up a UK working visa?
