Yeay, Nobel to Oscar Winners Will Be Free To Come And Work In The UK

British Home Affair Minister Priti Patel (Wikimedia Commons/Foreign and Commonwealth Office)

JAKARTA - The British government has again announced a program to facilitate the granting of residence and work permits in its region, post-Brexit. This time, winners of an international award will receive priority in applying for work and residency permits in the UK.

Previously, the UK had made it easy for Hong Kong residents who had a British National Overseas (BNO) passport, to live and study or work, to become British citizens.

In its announcement Wednesday 5 May, the UK Interior Ministry said this was in line with a post-Brexit pledge to attract the "best and brightest" to the UK.

Since leaving the European Union, the UK has introduced a new system for work visas based on points that scale, among other things, the type of job offer, qualifications, and English language proficiency.

The UK government says its new system is fair in its treatment of migrants from around the world after Britain's departure ended free movement, critics say it creates a hostile environment that leaves some sectors without workers.

UK Visa Illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/UK Government)

"Starting Wednesday, award winners such as the Nobel Prize, Oscar, and Golden Globes will be able to live and work more easily under the provisions of the 'Global Talent visa route' in effect," the home affairs ministry said in a statement.

That means the system will allow eligible international award-winning applicants to have their application expedited for approval.

"These award winners have reached the pinnacle of their careers and have a lot to offer the UK. This important change will give them the freedom to come and work in the world's leading arts, science, music, and film industries, as we build back better," said British Home Minister Priti Patel.

"This is precisely what our new points-based immigration system is designed for, attracting the best and brightest based on the skills and talents they have, not where they come from," she concluded.