[6] In the wake of Brexit, the British Government introduced a wide, multi-year programme of change, led by the Home Office, to transform the operation of the UK's border and immigration system.
The EVW is also valid for visits to Ireland for up to 90 days once a holder has cleared immigration in the United Kingdom.
Exiting the European Union on 31 January 2020, the United Kingdom moved to end free movement and introduce an Immigration Bill with a different points-based system.
[2][12] This would be the first phase of a wider multi-year programme of change, led by the Home Office, to transform the operation of the British border and immigration system—including sponsorship.
During 2018, many NHS trusts found that applications for certificates of sponsorship for doctors and nurses were refused, leaving them to rely on locum staff.
It is composed of five "tiers" which replaced all the previous work permits and entry schemes, including Scotland's Fresh Talent Initiative.
Instead a separate route under Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) exists in which international graduates who have been officially endorsed by either the Department for International Trade (DIT) or a British higher education institution (HEI) can apply to remain in the UK to pursue their business ventures.
The difference between the thresholds is the amount of time it takes a migrant to be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Skilled worker was introduced on 1 January 2021 to replace the previous Tier 2 General route which had been in place since November 2008.
[33] Tier 2 had itself replaced the provisions for work permit employment, ministers of religion; airport-based operational ground staff, overseas qualified nurse or midwife, seafarers, named researchers, agency employees, and overseas representatives (news media).
Of the general requirements for all of these sub-categories, a major requirement is that individuals are able to come to the UK for a maximum of 12 months (except for the Youth Mobility and International Agreement Schemes where successful applicants will get 24 months) in order to seek temporary and short-term work, after which they will be expected to leave.
The government argued that the existing visa options are sufficient for international students in Scotland, and noted that, "Applying different immigration rules to different parts of the UK would complicate the immigration system, harming its integrity, and cause difficulties for employers with a presence in more than one part of the UK.
"[39] On 11 September 2019, eight years after it was originally cancelled by then Home Secretary Theresa May,[40] the UK government announced its plans to reintroduce the two-year post study work visa as the new “Graduate Route” for international students.
[43][44] In July 2020, the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy revealed that international students who complete a PhD from Summer 2021 can stay in the UK for 3 years after study to live and work with the Graduate Route visa, as opposed to 2 years for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
[45] The UK Home Office also confirmed that dependants of postgraduate international students with a Graduate Route post study work visa from 2021 will retain leave to remain and the right to work in the UK provided they were in the country with them during the international student’s postgraduate studies.
[49] During its introduction, the system was criticised by the then opposition Conservative Party because it lacks an overall cap on the number of people who can qualify under the points criteria.
[49] There have also been concerns that, in failing to provide for the possibility of low-skilled migration from outside of the EEA, the system might cause skills shortages in sectors such as the construction industry in the run-up to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
85 applications by Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for tier 2 certificates of sponsorship were rejected between June and September 2015.
[55] Applicants to Tier 1 (General) are awarded points for attributes including age, previous or prospective salary and qualifications.
[55] Applicants did not need to have a formal job offer made by a licensed UK employer in order to apply under this category.
People with Post Study Work leave are expected to switch into another part of the points system as soon as they are able to do so".
[58] (Never used) Tier 3 was originally designed for low-skilled workers filling specific temporary labour shortages, however it is currently suspended by the UK Government.
[59] The duration of Tier 4 visas varies, taking into account the time needed to conclude studies (but not necessarily attend a graduation ceremony).