Introduction

In light of Brexit, the United Kingdom has introduced a new points-based system for work visas, including the highly anticipated UK Skilled Worker Visa. This visa is designed to help employers recruit skilled workers from overseas to fill vacancies in the UK job market. This article will discuss the new system and what it means for employers and workers.

Overview of the UK Skilled Worker Visa

The UK Skilled Worker Visa is a points-based system that replaces the previous Tier 2 (General) Visa. Under the new system, applicants must accumulate a total of 70 points. Points can be earned in a number of ways, including having a job offer from an approved sponsor, meeting a minimum salary requirement, and meeting a minimum level of English language proficiency.

Benefits for Employers

The UK Skilled Worker Visa benefits employers by allowing them to hire highly skilled workers from overseas who may not have been eligible under the previous visa system. Employers can sponsor workers with a job offer, allowing them to fill labour shortages in their industry. The new system also simplifies the application process by reducing the administrative burden on employers and removing the need for the Resident Labour Market Test, which required employers to advertise the job to UK workers before offering it to a non-EU worker.

One downside for employers is that the minimum salary requirement for the new visa is higher than under previous systems, which may limit the number of workers they can recruit.

Benefits for Workers

The UK Skilled Worker Visa benefits workers by giving them the opportunity to work in the UK with a greater degree of certainty and permanence. The new system offers more flexibility for workers because they can switch jobs more easily without the need for a new visa. Additionally, workers can apply for settled status after five years of continuous residency, which gives them permanent leave to remain in the UK.

However, the cost of obtaining a work visa under the new system may be higher than under the previous system, and workers may have to meet higher language proficiency requirements.

Concerns and Criticisms

While the new system has many potential benefits, there are also concerns and criticisms. One concern is that the minimum salary requirement may make it more difficult for small businesses to sponsor workers. Additionally, there are criticisms that the focus on higher salaries neglects certain sectors, such as social care, which may have shortages of skilled workers but are unable to offer high salaries.

Some critics have also noted that the new system may discourage low-skilled workers from coming to the UK, which could have negative consequences for industries such as agriculture that rely on seasonal workers.

Conclusion

The introduction of the UK Skilled Worker Visa is a significant change to the UK's approach to immigration and work visas. While there are benefits for both employers and workers, there are also legitimate concerns and criticisms of the new system. It remains to be seen how the system will affect the UK's economy and job market in the long-term.