UK visa
applicants beware
new immigration measures!

16 June 2015

Overseas nationals seeking a UK work visa may be heavily impacted by new immigration measures

David Cameron’s recently announced plans to reduce the amount of migrant labour coming to the UK from outside the EU may denote hard times ahead for non-EU nationals seeking to work in the UK.

Following the release of new immigration data showing that net migration leapt to 318,000 during 2014, the government has decided upon new measures to reduce migration to the UK.

The plans, however, will make it even more difficult to enter the UK from outside the European Union as a skilled, migrant worker.

Cameron has announced that the migrant cap of 20,700 per annum will not be raised, despite the fact that demand for highly skilled Tier 2 workers is increasing.

Each month and depending upon their recruitment needs, UK sponsor organisations apply for a monthly allowance of restricted Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), an essential step in employing a migrant worker. The effects of the ‘cap’ are already being felt among UK businesses, however, seeing the first monthly quota for 2015 heavily oversubscribed and many sponsor companies being altogether refused their essential requests for restricted (CoS).

Further to this decision, the government is planning to reduce the length of time for which a job or profession can remain on the Shortage Occupation list. The list identifies roles for which there is a lack of suitably skilled UK resident workers and normally makes it easier for organisations to fill these roles with overseas workers. This step towards slimming down the amount of listed roles could mean that those industries already experiencing a lack of skilled workers, may struggle to fulfil their recruitment needs all the more in the years to come.

If all of that was not enough, plans are also being made for the introduction of a new skills levy for all organisations wishing to employ migrant employees, the money from which will be channelled into funding apprenticeships for UK nationals in an attempt to encourage home-grown talent. This measure may lead businesses to think twice before deciding to employ an overseas national in the future.

Another potential measure would see those non-EU nationals coming to the UK on a spouse visa barred from working in the country upon arrival.

The future looks bleak for those wishing to come to the UK from overseas, despite many learned professionals and industry leaders imploring the UK government to recognise the advantages or allowing the world’s brightest and most talented workers into the UK.

Only time will tell how far the new measures will affect UK-based businesses and the overseas nationals wishing to work for them.

Please contact us at Smith Stone Walters for more information on how your UK visa application could be affected by the new measures and to ensure that you have the best possible chance of successfully entering and working in the UK.

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