UK to end automatic settlement for skilled workers

As part of the UK government's commitment to reviewing the immigration system, last summer a consultation was launched proposing reforms to employment-related settlement, Tier 5 of the points based system and overseas domestic worker routes.

The UK's Immigration Minister, Damian Green, gave the government's response to this consultation.

The proposed changes will mean that migrant workers coming to the UK on a Tier 2 (skilled worker) visa will no longer be able to settle in the UK based on the amount of time they have spent in the UK.

A new minimum pay threshold will also mean that only the brightest and best workers, who strengthen the UK economy, will be able to apply to stay in the UK permanently.

The new rules will break the link between coming to the UK to work and staying forever. Exceptionally talented people, investors and entrepreneurs will continue to have the option to stay in the UK.

Skilled temporary workers who want to apply for settlement will have to earn at least £35,000, or the going rate for their job, whichever is higher.

Migrants doing jobs which are in demand and scientists and researchers in PhD-level roles will be exempt from the £35,000 salary threshold.

Temporary leave will be capped at six years to reinforce the temporary nature of Tier 2 of the points based system.

As part of these proposals, the government also intends to: Continue to provide a direct route to settlement for investors, entrepreneurs and exceptionally talented migrants under Tier 1.

Continue to provide a route to settlement for the best Tier 2 migrants, if they meet a minimum salary threshold of £35,000.

Allow those who enter as PhD-level scientists and researchers to qualify for settlement without having to meet the £35,000 minimum salary threshold.

Exempt all workers in demand occupation jobs (currently including specialist nurses, teachers and social workers) from the minimum settlement salary threshold of £35,000.

Allow Tier 2 migrants to extend their temporary permission to stay in the UK up to maximum of six years, and introduce a requirement that Tier 2 migrants who leave the UK will need to wait for 12 months before they may apply to re-enter the UK under Tier 2.