A new points-based immigration system was announced by the UK with the objective of drawing the best global talent. With effect from 1 January, 2021, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
Students and professionals will be able to get permanent residence in the UK faster. The new system will offer points for particular skills, specific professions, certain salaries, as well as qualifications and age profiles for workers who are highly skilled and wishing to be permanent residents of the UK. This is good news for Indian students, who seek higher education and are keen to look for work opportunities in the UK.
Similar systems are followed in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand too.
The system will help students make informed career choices, by focussing on courses pertaining to professions where there is a dearth of skills. Not only will this help them bag jobs quicker but also earn satisfactory income while they are waiting to get permanent residency.
The system followed in the US often leaves students in a difficult situation because the time taken to process the green card or permanent residency is a lot, at least five years, and sometimes even double that time. The points system followed in the countries mentioned above, on the other hand, is able to process permanent visas in a year’s time, or even less.
The graduate route, which will come into effect in the summer of next year, will offer international students the option to stay in the UK for two years after completing their studies, to either take up a job or hunt for one.
