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Navigating the UK’s Point-Based Immigration System

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The UK’s point-based immigration system, introduced to streamline entry routes into the country, focuses on specific criteria such as skills, qualifications, salaries, and job offers. This system applies to work visas, health and care workers, and students, allowing individuals to understand their eligibility and how to maximise their chances of success. Here’s an overview of how this system works across different visa categories and some strategies for applicants to meet the necessary points.

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Work Visas: Skilled Workers

The Skilled Worker visa is designed for individuals who have been offered a job in the UK that cannot be filled by someone already in the UK. To qualify, applicants must score a minimum of 70 points, which are awarded for having a job offer from an approved sponsor (20 points), job at an appropriate skill level (20 points), English language proficiency (10 points), and adequate salary (20 points).

The salary threshold generally must be the higher of either £25,600 or the “going rate” for the job role, though there are tradeable points for certain conditions such as shortage occupations, PhD qualifications relevant to the job, and new entrants at the start of their career.

There are a number of expert immigration law firms who can advise on this.

Key Strategies for Skilled Workers

Secure a job offer from an approved sponsor: This is non-negotiable, so focus on employers who are on the UK’s approved sponsor list.

Meet the English language requirement: Prepare for and pass an approved English language test unless you’re exempt.

Aim for higher qualifications: If your salary offer is lower than required, having a PhD in a STEM subject related to the job can compensate.

Health and Care Worker Visa

This category is a part of the Skilled Worker visa, tailored for medical professionals coming to work in the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care. The criteria are similar to the Skilled Worker visa, but with a lower salary requirement for specific job codes in healthcare. Applicants also benefit from reduced visa application fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Key Strategies for Health and Care Workers

Ensure your job code matches: Double-check that your role is on the list of eligible health occupations.

Utilise professional qualifications: For some roles, additional qualifications can help meet the skill level and salary thresholds.

Student Visa

The Student visa category applies to those coming to the UK for post-16 education. Applicants need to score 70 points, which are granted for having an offer from an approved educational institution (50 points), speaking English at the required level (10 points), and having enough money to support themselves and pay for their course (10 points).

Key Strategies for Students

Choose your institution wisely: Ensure your chosen institution has a track record of compliance with the immigration rules.

Demonstrate financial stability: You’ll need to show you can cover your course fees and living costs for at least one year.

With the right approach and attention to detail, navigating the UK’s point-based immigration system can be a smooth process leading to new opportunities in the UK.

What is the importance of event security?

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Special-Event-Security

If you are hosting a major event, the importance of having effective security in place cannot be overestimated.

The tragic events of terror attacks such at music events such as the Manchester Arena attack in 2017 and the Bataclan Theatre attack in 2015 have highlighted the vital role of having a qualified security presence but preventing a major scale attack is just one small part of event security.

For event organisers, taking all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of all attending is a legal obligation, just one of the reasons that using the services of a professional and trusted security firm is crucial.

What will an event security firm do?

Risk Assessment

The first step in developing an effective security plan is identifying all the potential safety and security risks that may pose an issue during your event.

Using a professional security firm is crucial here, as their trained eye and experience of planning security for many such events in the past means they will notice vulnerabilities that may otherwise have been overlooked.

A risk assessment should not only consider standard factors such as the number of attendees and the size of the venue, but also event specific factors such as the atmosphere that is likely to surround the event.

For example, a football match between two rivals may have the same number of attendees as a concert at the same venue, but the highly charged nature of the event means that the security requirements will be completely different.

Crowd Control

Crowd control is a major part of the day-to-day activities conducted by event security staff, controlling access, resolving any potential conflicts, and overseeing evacuation in case of emergency.

The type of crowd control required will very much depend on the nature of the event itself and the approach of security staff should vary accordingly, being both approachable and friendly as well as a visible and effective deterrent to potential troublemakers.

Emergency Planning

With all the careful planning and professional security staff in the world, it is impossible to completely eliminate the chances of a crisis situation occurring during your event.

To avoid disaster, it is absolutely paramount that an effective and comprehensive planning strategy is in place should an emergency situation arise.

Crisis situations that will requires specific attention during emergency planning will include fires, medical emergencies, power outages, and terror attacks, although emergencies come in a wide variety of different shapes and sizes it is crucial that you use a security firm who are able to adapt to whatever situation arises during the event.

The safety of the public will always be the priority of your security staff who should make evacuation the main priority in most emergencies and a major part of crisis planning will involve ensuring that evacuation routes are clearly marked, free of obstruction, and can cope with the number of people in attendance.

Key Personnel

If you are hosting a large-scale event, the majority of those in attendance will be ticket holders, however, there will also likely be some other parties in attendance that require additional security measures to be put in place.

These may include:

VIPs

Given their high-profile status, VIPs are much more likely to be the target of unwanted attention than standard attendees.

You will want the entrance and exit of your VIP guests to be as smooth and uneventful as possible and only the extensive planning and careful actions of a professional team of security staff can make this possible.

Vendors

Many events have a large number of vendors in attendance, selling food, drink, souvenirs, and

It is crucial that these individuals feel safe and secure when working at your event and you may need security in place specific to their needs.

It is likely that vendors will need early access to your event venue to set up, so ensuring that security staff are on location to check identifications and conduct security searches to facilitate this safely is vital.

Why Choose Prime Secure?

Prime Secure are the UK’s leading event security firm, providing security systems and personnel to customers across the nation for over 25 years.

Our highly trained SIA licensed security officers are experts in ensuring that events of all kinds are safe and secure for all in attendance, providing a visible reassurance to guests and an effective deterrent to criminals and potential troublemakers.

When you choose Prime to provide security for your event, we will use all our expertise to identify the main threats and put proven solutions in place to resolve them, as well as managing access, dealing with inquiries, and taking charge should an emergency situation arise.

For more information, or to arrange a free survey of your site, contact our expert team today on 0345 88 88 333, or via email at info@primesecure.co.uk.