UK Immigration System Overview
The UK immigration system has experienced numerous changes in recent years, particularly since the 2016 Brexit referendum. One of the most notable changes was the replacement of the Tier 1 (General) visa scheme with the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) route, which tended to focus on attracting high-skilled migrants with a specific skill set. As part of the ongoing changes, the UK government announced last year in its Policy Statement on the UK points-based immigration system some changes to the current visa system, including:
Despite the changes, the two primary routes used for seeking employment to the UK are dependent on the level of skills of the applicant. The Tier 2 (General) visa is for highly skilled employees on a minimum salary of £30,000 pa, whereas the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa is for short-term skilled employees being transferred temporarily to a UK branch of the company from abroad. Dive deeper into the subject by visiting this external resource we’ve selected for you. health care assistant visa uk https://www.immtell.com/personal-immigration/uk-work-visas/general-sponsored-visas/uk-health-and-care-worker-visa/, uncover extra and worthwhile data to enhance your study and understanding of the subject.
Future Opportunities
Currently, international students studying in the UK can enroll in graduate recruitment schemes, which allow graduates to spend up to two years working in the UK after completing their degree. This period is widely seen as a ‘bridge’ from education into the workforce. The new Graduate route announced by the government provides a two-year extension of the existing post-study route for international students completing degrees in the UK, signalling a move to attract skilled international workers, particularly from developing countries.
Another significant opportunity lies within the broad range of roles defined by the SOC codes that are permitted for sponsorship, particularly within in-demand sectors such as IT, digital, finance and healthcare. As the UK government is eyeing a major investment in infrastructure as part of its post-COVID recovery plan, it is anticipated that more construction and engineering roles defined by the SOC codes will become available. This could result in the requirement for more skilled migrant workers in this sector, particularly within civil engineering, architectural, and quantity surveyor roles. The Irish border also provides a unique opportunity for Northern Ireland businesses to recruit from the Irish Republic and vice versa; as such opportunities should be exploited by businesses in both jurisdictions.
Challenges
One of the challenges is the future of the Tier 2 (General) visa route, as no official government guidelines have yet been released on the issue. The new immigration system focuses on standard job titles, which could pose problems for specific industries that require specific skills and experience but do not necessarily conform to standard SOC job titles.
Another challenge is the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the labour market, as lockdown measures continue to affect the UK economy. The pandemic has resulted in many businesses struggling to retain and employ migrant workers, as the impact of COVID-19 on the UK has culminated in staffing gaps in essential sectors like healthcare. It is highly likely that the pandemic will cause a substantial reduction in net migration figures. This may have long-lasting impacts on the UK economy, particularly in sectors like hospitality, healthcare, social care, and construction, which have benefitted significantly from the availability of skilled migrant workers.
The Impact on Employers
The current immigration system places significant responsibility on employers, who must sponsor and provide necessary documentation and pay migrant workers the required salary. It is essential to ensure that migrant workers receive protection from exploitation and unfair treatment, alongside the protection of the rights of British or local workers.
Moreover, it is up to employers to decide whether and how best to recruit, retain and train migrant workers, even with the changes to the system. In contrast, workers should focus on understanding the requirements necessary for employment in the UK and areas in which they can improve their skill sets to be in a better position to apply for roles eligible for sponsorship. Gain further knowledge about the topic covered in this article by checking out the suggested external site. There, you’ll find additional details and a different approach to the topic. health care assistant visa uk https://www.immtell.com/personal-immigration/uk-work-visas/general-sponsored-visas/uk-health-and-care-worker-visa/!
Conclusion
Despite the ongoing changes to the UK immigration system, skilled migrants still have opportunities to move to the UK for employment. However, with such changes come new challenges for both employers and workers. While increasingly standardised job titles are designed to offer clarity, they could also leave some specific skills requirements uncovered. Finally, with COVID-19’s stark impact on the UK economy, a reduction in net migration figures may adversely affect some essential sectors relying on skilled migrant workers.
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