Highly-skilled Indians who want to work in Britain can now apply for their visas under the new UK points-based system (PBS).

Software engineer

One of the first successful applicants was Rajesh Sharma, (right) a software engineer at IBM.  Mr Sharma has lived in Britain before and considers the UK a "very good place for the highly skilled to work".

Armed with degrees in mechanical engineering and business administration he has worked both in London and York and says he is "open-minded about where I will settle".

Mr Sharma said that he found the application process and the self-assessment calculator systematic and easy to follow.  He is arriving in Britain later in June.

Points awarded

Points are awarded for things like qualifications, previous earnings, age, English language skills, ability to pay one’s way and UK experience.

It is divided into 5 tiers and replaces the old Highly Skilled Migrants Programme.  The new system is being introduced bit by bit.

Tier 1 started in India, and will be followed by the rest of the world later this summer.

Welcoming

Welcoming the new system, Richard Stagg, British High Commissioner in Delhi, said that “the new system allows those wanting to work in Britain to calculate, before they make their application, whether their points add up to entry as a highly skilled worker.

“It is also a quicker and more straightforward process. What was a two-stage application process now has only one - and the initial visa will be granted for three years not two."  

Good for those coming to Britain

He added that PBS is "good for those wanting to work in Britain and good for the UK economy".

A new on-line calculator means people can find out quickly how many points they need to work in the UK.  The whole process takes about 10 minutes.

The other Tiers will work as follows: 

• Tier 2, targeting skilled workers with a job offer and Tier 5, for temporary workers will both come online later in 2008
• Tier 4, for students follows in early 2009 
• Tier 3, which covers low skilled migration routes, will only be used if shortages are identified that cannot be filled from the UK or European labour force.

Biometric data

In India people now have to provide fingerscans and a digital photograph – called biometric data in the trade - as part of the visa application process and you can have a look at the YouTube video on the right which advises applicants on the steps involved.

You can also view several other videos on YouTube which take you through various stages of the application process.

Read how we're working closely with the UK Border Agency and other partners to help manage migration to the UK.