Great Britain has set procedures in place that enable people from all over the world to visit and work in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and enjoy everything that the country to offer. But there are limits to the amount of people that can enter, and depending on where you’re from, it can be easier or harder to gain access to the UK, particularly for those looking to work.
Living and Working in the UK
There are a few different ways that you can come to live and work in the UK. There are lots of different categories that migrants fall into. These include everything from people who are seeking aslyum to students looking to study. There are different laws and policies for each aspect of immigration. For example, a person looking for asylum that may have fled their countries due to war or oppression is a delicate issue, but the UK has international obligations to provide refuge in some cases.
Economic Migration
People from all over the world come to the UK to study and work. This can be great for the UK economy, but the current government has placed a limit on how many people are allowed into the country in order to ensure that UK residents have the opportunity to get the jobs that are available. This is considered very important as the British unemployment rate is currently very high. With the European economy in times of trouble, the number of people applying for migration to the UK has grown significantly. The European rules for economic migration, which includes students, broadly divide migrants into two groups.
People who are migrating from the EU – for example Italy or Germany – are free to enter the UK and compete for jobs in the UK. They are not subject to immigration controls because the UK is a part of the European free market, and this works both ways, meaning that people in the UK can live and work in countries in the EU.
Migration from non EU countries
People seeking to enter the UK from outside the European Union – for example Australia or the United States – have to apply to be awarded with points. This system also applies for international students.
These poinst are awarded based on how much work experience the applicant has as well looking at their educational merits. It will mean that a highly-skilled applicant such as a doctor will be much more likely to be accepted than a lower skilled worker with fewer qualifications.
How can I find out more?
Immigration can be puzzling to the best of us, but rest assured, there are a great number of websites available with plenty of information that can help improve your understanding of the law and procedures in place. There are also immigration solicitors available who are a great help for people. They can ensure that you understand everything from the toughest situations to the simpler scenarios.
Vicky works alongside http://www.thaliwalbridge.co.uk/ an immigration law firm in Leicester. She has an interest in writing tutorials that make complicated law topics understandable to all.
