UK’s New Points Based Immigration System : A Boon for Indian Students and Professionals

UK’s constructive attempt to transform its economy, educational policies and employment opportunities has led to the introduction of a new points-based immigration system recently. The new immigration system, being fair and meritorious, augurs well for aspiring Indian students and working professionals as it provides them with a befitting platform to realize their coveted UK dreams. What is notable about the  new ‘points-based immigration system’, which will be in effect from January 1, 2021, is that it stands to benefit promising students and working professionals from non-EU nations.

Let us understand what the points-based system is and what this means for all those Indian students waiting to give wings to their UK dreams, but feeling uncertain at the moment in the wake of  Brexit and the ongoing coronavirus crises.

While UK’s immigration system invariably favored EU nationals, the new points-based system is largely merit-based, providing equal study and work opportunities to meritorious students and skilled professionals from the world over, including India. With a view to treat both EU and non-EU citizens on par, suitable points will be awarded based on skill sets, qualifications, salary, and the type of profession being pursued.

What this effectively means is that while the Tier- 2 visas were capped and mandated a degree with a minimum job offer of $30,000 per annum, the new single global system is more flexible requiring selection factors such as  job offer, English proficiency, A level qualification and an annual salary of $25,600.  As points will be awarded based on specific skills, qualifications, salaries or professions, aspiring work professionals from India  will need to  amass 70 points as qualifying criteria to  enter UK- to make good of their employment opportunities.

While Canada is credited with the introduction of the points-based system or what is popularly referred to as the merit-based system, Australia too promptly adopted the new immigration system. Now by formalizing the merit-based immigration system, UK joins Canada and Australia in switching over from race and country-based immigration to merit-based immigration.

The new points system in UK not only endeavors to attract promising students and highly skilled workers to fuel its economy, and drive its businesses and service industries, but also permits highly skilled scientists and researchers to enter the UK without actual job offers.  This comes as a win-win situation for Indian students and working professionals, as they can leverage the revised salary threshold and showcase their talents in newer and promising areas, apart from specialized and vocational fields.

As the new points system continues to garner overwhelming support and favorable response from business communities and service industries across Britain, this is truly a golden opportunity for aspiring Indian students and working professional to not only demonstrate their academic, research and professional acumen on a global platform but also contribute in a meaningful way to the chronic labor shortage prevailing in the UK.

While Indians have continued to make sterling contributions towards the growth and progress of Britain in the past, the new system intends to provide a unique opportunity to contribute towards Britain’s transitional phase and renewed future vision.

Coming on the heels of Britain’s reinstatement of its two-year post-study work visa for international students in 2019, there cannot be a more favorable time for Indian students to study in the UK  and explore promising post-study employment opportunities.