Fresh Talent - Working in Scotland Scheme

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The Fresh Talent - Working in Scotland Scheme (FTWiSS) is a programme created by the Scottish Executive to allow non-EEA nationals who have studied in Scotland to live and work in the country for up to 2 years after graduation. After two years, participants must either leave the UK or switch into another work scheme, like the Work Permit programme, or the new Tier 1 (General) programme.

The purpose of the scheme is to deal with problems of population decline and skill shortages in Scotland.

1 Tier 1 (Post Study Work)
2 References
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Tier 1 (Post Study Work)

Fresh Talent and the similar UK-wide International Graduates Scheme are due to be replaced on 30 June 2008^[1] by a new 2-year scheme, Tier 1 (Post Study Work), as part of the UK's roll out of a points-based immigration system. The UK Border Agency describes Tier 1 (Post Study Work) as "a bridge to highly skilled or skilled work. People with Post Study Work leave will be expected to switch into another part of the points system as soon as they are able to do so".^[2].

No specific launch date for the scheme has been announced, other than it will not be before 30 June. Those who already have FTWiSS permission when Post Study Work launches will be able to switch into the new scheme if they wish, for a combined leave under both schemes of a maximum of two years^[3].

In most aspects, Tier 1 (Post Study Work) will be very similar to the schemes it replaces. However, the published points allocations and draft rules for the scheme have revealed some key differences:

Applicants must have obtained their qualification with the immigration status of student or dependant. Those who obtained their qualification with another status, for example Working Holidaymaker or Work Permit holder, or who completed their studies outside the UK, will not be eligible.
The "cash reserve" required from FTWiSS applications to cover initial basic living costs has always been unspecified and flexible, and hence it allowed for applicants with very different costs of living to meet the eligibility criteria. Under Tier 1 (Post Study), an amount for the cash reserve has been specified. Those switching in the UK from student to Tier 1 (Post Study Work) will need to show a cash reserve of at least £800; those applying for entry clearance in their home country will need to show at least £2800.^[4]
The application fee to extend leave in the UK under Tier 1 (Post Study Work) is expected to increase to £400 (from £395 for FTWiSS). Entry clearance applications for the scheme at a British Embassy or High Commission are expected to increase to £205 (£200 for FTWiSS)^[5].
The deadline for applying will continue to be 12 months after successfully completing the course. Under IGS and FTWiSS, this date can be defined several different ways, most generously as the end date of the student leave issued for the relevant course, which is normally 4 months after the formal end date of the course. Under Tier 1 (PSW), the relevant date is likely to be the actual date when formal notification of the result was received.