Timetable for PBS launch
This page outlines the timetable for the roll out of the new points- based system which begins in 2008.
| Tier | Statement of intent | Applications open |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: General | 7 December 2007 | From 29 February 2008 |
| Tier 1: General (India) | 7 December 2007 | From April 2008 |
| Tier 1: General (worldwide) | 7 December 2007 | From 30 June 2008 |
| Tier 1: Investors | 7 December 2007 | From 30 June 2008 |
| Tier 1: Entrepreneurs | 7 December 2007 | From 30 June 2008 |
| Tier 1: Post-study | 7 December 2007 | From 30 June 2008 |
| Sponsor registration for Tier 1 (General) and intra-company transfers | 22 November 2007 | From 29 February 2008 |
| Sponsor registration for tiers 2, 4, and 5 | 22 November 2007 | From 28 July 2008 |
| Tier 2: skilled workers with a job offer | 6 May 2008 | November 2008 |
| Tier 3: Limited numbers of low skilled workers needed to fill temporary labour shortages | This tier is currently suspended | |
| Tier 4: students | 30 July 2008 | We are consulting education providers about this and will publish more details in October 2008. |
| Tier 5: Youth mobility and temporary workers | 5 May 2008 | November 2008 |
Terms explained
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Points-based system
Our immigration system for managing applications by people who wish to come to the United Kingdom to work, train or study.
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Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker
A category of the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. It applies to people who are looking for highly skilled employment in the United Kingdom, or are self-employed or setting up a business.
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Tier 2 (General) - skilled worker
A category of the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. It applies to skilled people with a job offer who are looking for employment in the United Kingdom, or are self-employed or setting up a business.
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Tier 2 - intra-company transfers
A category of the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. It applies to sponsors who are transferring employees within an organisation to a skilled job under Tier 2.