Details released regarding Tier 5
Thursday, May 8th, 2008The Border Agency has released, on 6th May details of how Tier 5 of the New Points Based System will work, through a Statement of Intent.
Tier 5 will cover so-called “mobility workers”. The tier will be implemented during Autumn of 2008, and will
- China graduate work experience programme;
- EU Leonardo da Vinci Programme;
- exchange teachers and language assistants;
- General Agreement of Trades in Services (GATS);
- International Association for the Exchange of Students of Technical Experience (IAESTE);
- International Fire Fighter Fellowship Programme;
- medical training initiative;
- non-pastoral religious workers;
- overseas domestic workers (in diplomatic households);
- overseas government employees;
- Rudolf Steiner;
- Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES);
- Vander Elst;
- visiting religious workers;
- voluntary workers;
- some work permits in the creative and sporting sector.
The temporary workers category of Tier 5 will be made up of five sub-categories. All these categories are short-term entry categories and applicants will be expected to leave the United Kingdom when their permission to stay ends.
Creative and sporting
This sub-category allows applicants to come to the United Kingdom as a sportsperson, an entertainers or a creative artist for up to 12 months.
Charity workers
This sub-category allows applicants to come to the United Kingdom as voluntary workers for a charity. They can only apply under this category if they intend to do unpaid fieldwork, directly related to the purpose of the organisation.
Religious workers
This sub-category allows individuals to come to the United Kingdom as a religious worker. They cannot apply under this category if they will be involved in preaching or pastoral work while in the United Kingdom.
Government authorised exchange
This sub-category allows individuals to come to the United Kingdom through an approved scheme aimed at sharing knowledge, experience and best practice. This scheme cannot be used to fill job vacancies or provide a route to the United Kingdom for unskilled workers.
International agreement
This sub-category allows individuals to the come to the United Kingdom to provide a service that is covered under international law. The work covered by this category includes GATS, other bilateral agreements, employees of overseas governments and international organisations, and the provision for private servants in diplomatic households.
All of these options will be temporary (normal upper limit of 12 months), and switching into other categories will not be permitted.
