Introduction

The UK government has recently announced a new set of policies that will make it easier for companies to bring skilled workers from outside the EU into the country. This move is aimed at helping businesses access the talent they need to remain competitive in a global economy, particularly in the face of Brexit. In this article, we will go over the key features of this new visa policy and how it will benefit both businesses and workers looking to make the UK their new home.

The New Skilled Worker Visa

The new skilled worker visa is the most important part of the new policy. It replaces the old Tier 2 visa that had been in place for years. The new visa will make it easier for employers to bring in skilled workers from outside the EU, while also providing better protections for workers. Some of the key features of the new visa include:

A lower salary threshold for skilled workers, down from ￡30,000 to ￡25,600.

The removal of the resident labour market test, which made it more difficult for employers to bring in workers from outside the EU.

A new fast-track process for highly skilled workers, who will be able to obtain a visa in as little as two weeks.

Global Talent Visa

The government is also expanding its Global Talent visa program, which is aimed at highly skilled workers in specific fields such as academia, science, and technology. The program will be expanded to allow for more highly skilled workers to enter the country, while also making it easier for businesses to sponsor them. Some of the key features of the expanded program include:

A new fast-track process for highly skilled workers, who will be able to obtain a visa in as little as two weeks.

A reduced requirement for workers to have been awarded a prestigious prize or to have been published in a leading academic journal.

New Opportunities for Startups

The new policy also includes a number of measures aimed at helping startups attract skilled workers. Some of the key features of the policy include:

A new visa category for innovative startups, which will enable them to recruit skilled workers from outside the EU more easily.

An expanded Graduate Entrepreneur visa, which will enable international students to stay in the UK for up to three years after graduating to start their own businesses.

Conclusion

The UK government's new visa policy is great news for businesses and workers alike. It will make it easier for companies to access the talent they need to succeed in a global economy, while also providing better protections for workers. The removal of the resident labour market test and the lower salary threshold will make it easier for businesses to bring in skilled workers, while the new fast-track process will ensure that highly skilled workers can obtain visas quickly and easily. The expanded Global Talent visa program and the new opportunities for startups are also extremely promising developments, and should help to ensure that the UK remains a leading destination for skilled workers from around the world.