Who will be welcomed to Britain

Tier 1 Highly skilled
Entrepreneurs or scientists. Do not need job offer, will have unrestricted access to job market, can bring their family with them and may be able to settle in Britain after 2 years. Pass mark of 75 points needed, with 30 points for a degree, up to 50 points for a PhD; 5 points for previous earnings of £16, 000 to £18,000 a year up to 45 points for £40,000 plus ; 20 points for being under 27, up to 5 points for under 31. Those coming to set up in business, as innovators or who have substantial funds will not have to pass the points test. This will also cover skilled overseas students who choose to work in UK at end of studies.

Tier 2 Skilled with job offer
Home Office-approved employers can offer jobs to medium and highly skilled migrants in identified "shortage occupations" or jobs that cannot be filled by the UK or EU labour market. Immigrants can bring their families but cannot settle for at least five years. A points test with a 50-point pass mark for migrants in non-shortage occupations will be based on qualifications with 15 points for PhD, prospective earnings and for corporate overseas transfers. Jobs in Scotland and other labour shortage regions get more points.

Tier 3 Low skills
Migration from outside the EU in this category, which covers agriculture and hospitality industries, is being phased out. The only routes allowed will be quota-based, company-led and time-limited, and only from non-EU countries that have a returns agreement. Migrants will not be able to bring families or apply to settle. Qualifying low-skilled jobs will be set by a new skills advisory body, which will allocate quotas for jobs. Ministers are considering compulsory remittances and open return tickets to ensure return after 12 months. English will be compulsory for health and hospitality jobs.

Tier 4 Students
Overseas students will have to prove they are bona fide and learning with a recognised organisation under a new system of accreditation being drawn up. They will be allowed in Britain for the period of the course plus "a reasonable additional period of time to wind up their affairs and attend graduation". They will not be allowed to apply for settlement but will be able to bring in family if they are older than 16. Can also work part-time.

Tier 5 Youth and temporary
Covers gap year students, au pairs, pastoral religious workers, volunteers, sportspeople in competition and musicians and entertainers on tour. The new working holidaymaker scheme will allow entry for two years but overall numbers will be capped. Only open to those aged 18 to 30 from countries with a reciprocal arrangement with Britain. Other temporary workers to be allowed in for up to two years. All barred from bringing their family or switching to another scheme.