Written by Adam McCulloch, published 4 March. Read the article here
In an analysis of the budget announced yesterday, Personnel Today report the UK government is set to introduce an ‘elite points-based visa’.
Jonathan Beech Managing Director
With its stated aim of helping the UK “attract and retain the most highly skilled, globally mobile talent” in science and technology, yesterday’s budget included a pledge to introduce by March 2022 a visa containing a “scale-up” stream. This will enable people with a job offer from a recognised UK scale-up to qualify for a fast track visa.
The elite visa is aimed at fast growth tech sectors and boosting entrepreneurialism, leading some immigration experts to assert that other sectors also need skilled workers as they seek to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Personnel Today sought out Migrate UK’s managing director Jonathan Beech for his comments.
Jonathan said the elite visa seemed similar to those that existed under the UK’s former immigration system.
“On my first take it appears that no endorsement or sponsorship means this scheme could be a style of visa similar to the old ‘Tier 1 General’ or ‘Highly Skilled Migrant Programme,’ whereby specialists need to score points in designated areas for example, age, English language, work experience, qualifications, earnings and maintenance.”
“The difference of course this time is that this will be for specific jobs only. If it does go ahead, the scheme would need to outline the job codes it will cover. Workers would be expected to be independent so they can swap and move employers to match their talents.”
Among other immigration system measures included in the budget were plans to reform the global talent visa, which would allow holders of international prizes and winners of scholarships and programmes for early promise to automatically qualify. A global business mobility visa would be launched by spring 2022 for overseas businesses to establish a presence or transfer staff to the UK and the immigration sponsorship system would be modernised to make it easier to use with a delivery plan being announced this summer.
If you are interested in any of the new visa categories contact Migrate UK 01235 841 568 or email info@migrate-uk.com
