http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...it-immigration
looks like the end of the road for many non Europeans coming to work here.. biggest surprise for me is the end of the Tier 1 General route, where skilled people didn't need a work permit to come to the UK, some were found to be working selling fast food
employers will be able to bring only 20,700 people from outside the EU to work in skilled professions under Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system. A further 1,000 visas will be made available to people of 'exceptional talent', to ensure that Britain remains open to the brightest and the best.
prospective workers will need to have a graduate-level job offer, speak an intermediate level of English and meet specific salary and employment requirements. Those earning a salary of £150,000 or more will not be subject to the limit.
Tier 1 of the points-based system will be restricted to all but entrepreneurs, investors and people of exceptional talent as the old Tier 1 (General) category has been completely abolished due to widespread evidence of abuse.
new rules for settlement and asylum will also come into effect today.
The changes to the settlement criteria include:
* a clearer criminality requirement for all applicants;
* a new income requirement, and reform of the English language requirement, for those on work routes.
Skilled and highly skilled migrants must now pass the Life in the UK Test if they want to demonstrate that they have met the knowledge of language and life (KOL) requirement for settlement in the UK.
