UK to impose stricter immigration rules

THE United Kingdom (UK) will be imposing stricter immigration rules come October.

Jamaicans and other non-European Union nationals seeking long-term entry will have to prove that the job skills they have to offer are in short supply in the UK.

According to the Home Office, employers will have to prove that no British workers are able to fill a vacancy without offering a job to an immigrant worker outside Europe.

The measures are part of the second stage of the new points-based immigration system.

Under the new guidelines, workers entering the country from outside the European economic area will have to accrue the required number of points and show evidence of a job offer before they can enter Britain.

The first phase of the new system which was put in place in February, applies to highly skilled workers residing in the country who wish to extend their stay.

The second stage to be announced next week will focus on identifying gaps in the labour market.

A similar scheme covering temporary workers, young people and students will be rolled out later this year.

Details of the points requirement for entertainers, sportsmen and women on short term contracts will also be laid out later this week.

The proposed scheme will replace a number of routes to working in the UK including the old work permit system and awarding student visas.

A home office spokesperson said the objective of the new system is to manage migration in the national interest.