| Following the Migration Advisory Committee's (MAC) | | | | are eligible for points according to the PBC results. |
| recommendations regarding the Tier 1 and Tier 2 of | | | | Tier 1 Post Study Work |
| the Points Based System (PBS) the Government has | | | | - Graduates of UK medical schools (doctors) are now |
| now approved several policy changes which will be | | | | able to switch to Tier 1 PSW category within 12 |
| implemented on 6 April 2010. | | | | months of completing the Foundation Programme |
| Some of the important changes will include: | | | | rather than graduation to allow them completion of |
| Tier 1 General | | | | speciality/GP training ; |
| - Initial leave to enter/remain is reduced from three to | | | | Tier 2 Work Permit |
| two years, with a three year extension subject to | | | | - Prospective earnings - 25 points are be awarded for |
| evidence that the individual is in highly skilled | | | | earnings above £32,000; |
| employment; | | | | - All non shortage occupations in Tier 2 General |
| - Applicants who are already in the UK under Tier1 | | | | category attract 5 more points than in Tier 2 ICT |
| HSMP will be able to rely on transitional arrangements; | | | | category as a Graduate Trainee and Skilled Transfer |
| - Age – a threshold for the age category is | | | | is for limited period only and migrants are not able to |
| extended to allow points to be claimed for those up to | | | | switch into different immigration category; |
| the age of 39; | | | | - Tier 2 ICT will no longer leads to settlement. |
| - Qualifications – reinstatement of points award for | | | | The UK Government is currently reviewing the |
| a bachelor's degree (30) with reduced points being | | | | overseas earnings multipliers to ensure that they are |
| awarded to a PhD holders (45); | | | | up-to-date, further changes are likely to be introduced |
| - Previous earnings – increase of the minimum | | | | at the later stage. |
| threshold, points to be awarded for earnings above | | | | Furthermore, the UK immigration authorities decided to |
| £25,000; | | | | implement a new category of the ‘Highly Trusted |
| - Additional salary band is introduced with a threshold | | | | Sponsor' under the Points-based System. On 6 April |
| of £150,000 (75 points to be awarded); | | | | 2010 this category will be introduced for Tier 4, |
| - Professional qualifications appearing on the | | | | however, later this year it will be extended to |
| Points-Based Calculator (PBC) on the UKBA website | | | | businesses. |