Immigrants to take test to work in Britain

London, Apr 19 (UNI) Immigrants from outside the EU, which include Indians, will have to pass a points test to work in Britain from the start of next year.

Figures released today will confirm that immigrants are swelling the population by 185,000 each year - four times the rate Labour inherited in 1997.

The new system will not apply to asylum seekers or anyone arriving in Britain to live with a family member, such as a husband or wife they married while abroad.

Immigration Minister Liam Byrne travelled half-way across the world to unveil the timetable for the system, which is inspired by Australia's points-based test.

Migrants will be ranked in five categories, from highly-skilled - such as doctors and engineers - to students.

A different number of points will be needed to gain entry in each of the categories, with credits awarded for qualifications, earnings and other skills.

Mr Byrne, speaking from Sydney yesterday said highly-skilled migrants would face the test from New Year. They will be followed by skilled migrants - such as nurses - next autumn. The full regime will be up and running in early 2009. Mr Byrne said,''Migration has to support Britain's national interests. The new system will be simpler, clearer and easier to enforce. Crucially, it will give us the best way of letting in only those people who have something to offer to Britain.'' Tier One of the new points system, which includes doctors, scientists and entrepreneurs, need a 75 points score. The condition is that they will be allowed to live here for two years.

Tier Two: skilled workers with a job offer, teachers, nurses, engineers, need 50 points. They will be allowed to stay in UK for the length of their contract with the employer.

Tier Three: low skilled in 'shortage areas', like hospitality and construction etc where no points are required. But the maximum stay is for a year and they may be required to hold open return tickets.

Tier Four: students ''no points'' allowed to stay only for the duration of the course.

Tier Five: youth mobility and temporary workers, including gap year students, aupairs, musicians on tour ''no points'' are allowed to stay in this country for maximum two years only.

UNI