Immigration to the UK has always been a matter of concern for study abroad aspirants and professionals looking for greener pastures abroad. As the UK severed ties from the rest of the EU on 31 December 2020, the apprehension grew even more. However, the government came up with a revised points-based system to enable EU and non-EU nationals to apply for the relevant visas to live and work in the country. Here are the facts that you need to understand about the new system that requires a minimum of 70 points for visa eligibility.
ALL ABOUT THE SKILLED WORKER IMMIGRATION ROUTE
Obtaining employer sponsorship as a Skilled Worker is the primary route to work in the UK. An applicant needs to get points based on several factors such as skills, qualifications, prospective income, etc., to qualify in the Skilled Worker category. Another factor that favours your chances is a shortage of appropriately qualified UK resident applicants for the specific job role. Under the new scheme, you will have to get 70 points to apply in the category. You can get an extra 20 points with a valid job offer from an approved sponsor.
OCCUPATION CATEGORIES FOR SKILLED WORKER VISAS
The new immigration system defines relevant occupation categories for the applicants to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa. Essentially, a job at a Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 (A-Level qualifications) or more is considered eligible. The government has a list of occupations you can explore on the official sites. The good news is that several technical occupations that did not qualify for the previous Tier 2 (General) visa may be eligible under this route.
EMPLOYER ROLE FOR A VALID UK JOB OFFER
An employer in the UK can hire a professional under the Skilled Worker visa route if they have a Home Office sponsor licence. They must have it before your application is made so that the procedure moves seamlessly. The process is complicated, so the employer must be committed to following through. They must also understand the sponsor duties and compliance requirements because breaching them can lead to penalties and revocation of the sponsor licence. It can also have an impact on the validity of the applicant’s visa.
FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OF SPONSORING EMPLOYER
Government fees for sponsoring employers under the new route are the same as for the old Tier 2 (General) visa scheme. Currently, it stands at £620 for a three-year visa and 1,220 for a five-year visa. However, it may vary depending on factors such as the applicant’s nationality and job role shortage. The Immigration Health Surcharge has witnessed an increase, standing at £624 per year for adults and £470 per year for children below 18 years of age. Employers will have to pay Immigration Skills Levy, a yearly fee imposed on businesses sponsoring migrant workers. It is £364 per year for small businesses and £1,000 per year for others.
SKILLED WORKER VISA THROUGH COMPANY TRANSFERS
The new system has a provision for Intra-company Transfers (ICT) in some circumstances, such as for employees working with multinational businesses with international offices. The applicant must have been working with the company for at least 12 months (9 months for a graduate intra-company trainee) before being transferred. The UK role of the applicant should be at NQF 6 level, while the minimum salary threshold stands at £41,500 (£23,000 for a graduate intra-company trainee). The eligibility requirements are higher than the Skilled Worker route, but the applicant need not prove English Language ability.
THE GRADUATE ROUTE FOR STUDENTS
The best part of the new immigration system of the UK comes for international students. The Graduate route will allow them to stay back in the country for two years after the completion of a graduate degree. The period is three years for international students completing a Ph.D. from a UK university. The route will be available from 1 July 2021. Apart from the Graduate route, people considered as leaders in their field can work in the UK under the Global Talent route. This route also applies to potential leaders in research or academia, digital technology, or arts and culture.
THE IMPACT ON EU AND NON-EU CITIZENS
The new system is non-disparate towards EU and non-EU citizens. It means that EU citizens planning to move to the UK will require permission to live and work here, just as non-EU citizens had to apply for a work visa here. EU citizens already living in the country with settled or pre-settled status need not apply for further work permission. The same holds for non-EU citizens with indefinite leave to remain. Likewise, Irish citizens automatically have the right and need not get a visa under the new route.
The new immigration system is all set to bring new opportunities for qualified students, professionals, and domain leaders who want to make a mark in the UK’s business landscape. Check these routes and see which one works for you!
If you are considering studying abroad why don’t you discuss your prospects and opportunities with experts at Lurnable’s dedicated study abroad counselling division LurnPathways?
