The points-based system - comparisons with previous immigration work routes
This page compares the points-based system's tiers and categories with the previous immigration routes for workers.
Highly skilled workers, investors, entrepreneurs and recent graduates
Skilled workers
|
Previous route |
Appropriate category of the points-based system |
|---|---|
|
Most long-term work permits , including for entertainers, but not for:
|
|
| Long-term work permits for elite sportspeople or coaches at the highest level | Tier 2 (Sportsperson) |
| Overseas qualified nurses and midwives | |
| Airline ground crew | |
| Some seafarers, including those working on vessels on one-port voyages | |
| Ministers of religion, missionaries, members of religious orders - those in non-pastoral roles coming to the United Kingdom for more than two years, or those in pastoral roles that includes preaching to a congregation |
Skilled temporary workers
|
Previous route |
Appropriate category of the points-based system or other route |
|---|---|
|
Work permits for sportspeople or entertainers to do some jobs of less than 12 months, but not to come to the Olympics or other specific event |
Tier 5 (Temporary worker - creative and sporting) |
| Work permits for sportspeople coming to the Olympics or other specific event | Sports visitor |
| Work permits for entertainers coming to perform at a specific event | Entertainer visitor |
| Training and work experience scheme | Tier 5 (Temporary worker - government authorised exchange) - if you are sponsored by a United Kingdom government department |
| China graduate work experience scheme | Tier 5 (Temporary worker - government authorised exchange) - if you are sponsored by by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills |
| Overseas government employees | Tier 5 (Temporary worker - international agreement) |
| General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) | Tier 5 (Temporary worker - international agreement) |
|
Private servants in diplomatic households, but not domestic workers in private households (see other categories below) |
|
| Ministers of religion, missionaries, members of religious orders - those in non-pastoral roles coming to the United Kingdom for two years or less | Tier 5 (Temporary worker - religious worker) |
| Voluntary workers | Tier 5 (Temporary worker - charity worker) |
| Film crew on location | Business visitor |
| Overseas qualified doctors taking the professional and linguistic assessments board (PLAB) test | Business visitor |
| Clinical attachments and dental observer posts | Business visitor |
Young people
|
Previous route |
Appropriate category of the points-based system |
|---|---|
|
Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme) - if your country participates in it |
|
|
Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme) - if your country participates in it |
|
|
Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme) - if your country participates in it |
|
| Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme) |
Other categories
The following categories outside the points-based system are still open but are under review:
News & updates
- Tier 5 (temporary worker) - government authorised exchange - additional guidance
- Overseas government employees switching into Tier 5 (temporary worker) - international agreements
- Points-based system: approved English language tests for Tier 1 and Tier 2
- Government-approved shortage occupation list for Tier 2 of the points-based system