Within a week of Indian doctors winning a favourable verdict from the House of Lords, to be treated equally with UK and European doctors for employment, the Home Office today published proposals for its new Points Based System (PBS) immigration rules.

The schemes, known as Tier 2 and Tier 5, sweep aside around 30 different routes to the UK, including the old work permit system.

British-based companies will now have to prove they cannot fill skilled posts with a resident worker and must show that the job vacancy has been advertised in the UK.

While the would-be migrants will need a job offer before they even apply for a visa, unless the job is on the shortage occupation list.

To qualify, skilled foreign nationals will have to earn a certain number of points before being allowed to work in Britain. Points are awarded only if a person can prove they will be doing skilled work, speak a good standard of English, and are earning more than 24,000 pounds or have a decent qualification.

Employers will also need a licence from the UK Border Agency to offer jobs to skilled workers.