Tier System

Tier System

A points-based system used to guide immigration to the UK, which was developed by the Home Office and implemented in 2008. The Tier System replaced the work permit system, and requires employers who recruit and employ migrants from outside the EEA and Switzerland to hold a sponsorship licence and issue certificates of sponsorship to migrants they wish to employ.
Tier System
Tier 1—Highly skilled individuals to contribute to growth and productivity;
Tier 2—Skilled workers with a job offer to fill gaps in the UK labour force;
Tier 3—Low skilled workers needed to fill specific temporary labour shortages (indefinitely suspended);
Tier 4—Students;
Tier 5—Youth mobility and temporary workers.