Thread: UK: Immigration Points System Goes Live

Immigration Points System Goes Live

Sky News political staff Updated:12:50, Friday February 29, 2008

The Government has launched the first phase of its points-based system for non-EU immigrants.

Non-EU low-skilled workers blockedInitially the system will only apply to highly-skilled workers already in the country who wish to extend their visas.

Low-skilled workers from outside the EU have been barred for the forseeable future.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the new measures were "part of the biggest changes to British immigration policy in a generation".

Changes include a new deal for migrants seeking UK citizenship, a new UK Border Agency and the introduction of ID cards for foreign nationals.

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Ministers also revealed that businesses which want to sponsor and employ migrants must be licensed by the Border and Immigration Agency.

A licence will be required from the autumn, when the second tier of the points-based system is due to come into effect.

However employers can begin applying for licences from today.

The points-based system replaces 80 existing migration routes to the UK.

Additionally those employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants could be jailed for two years under the new measures.

Unscrupulous bosses could also be hit with an unlimited fine in what the Home Office calls the "biggest immigration shake-up in a generation".
http://news.sky.com:80/skynews/article/ ... 65,00.html

UK applies tougher immigration rules
By Andrew Taylor, Employment Correspondent
Published: February 29 2008 10:58 | Last updated: February 29 2008 10:58

Rules requiring employers to make more rigorous checks on foreign workers are unfair on small companies, which will be expected “to act as immigration officersâ€