The demand for skilled workers continues to rise both globally and in the UK, driven by key industries that rely heavily on foreign talent. This article will explore the future of UK skilled worker immigration, addressing contemporary trends, post-Brexit shifts, the impact of technological advancements, changing employer demands, potential policy reforms, and best practices that practitioners can implement.
Overview of the current state
On 4 April 2024, the government’s changes to the Immigration Rules took effect in their new ‘five-point plan’ to reform UK immigration. Regarding the Skilled Worker visa, the yearly earnings threshold was increased from £26,200 to £38,700, with the individual going rate for each job also increasing. Additionally, the Shortage Occupation List was replaced by the Immigration Salary List (and made shorter). The ISL sets out the list of occupations that benefit from a reduced general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
Recent Shifts and Changing Employer Demands
There have been significant shifts in the Immigration Rules post-Brexit implementation, including an increase in the number of Skilled Worker visas being granted, rising by 9% in the past year. Additionally, the number of sponsor licence applications increased by 44% in the year ending August 2024 (with Skilled Worker sponsor licences accounting for 85% of the numbers). Demand clearly remains strong with about 2,000 new licenses appearing each month.
One of the most recent transformative shifts has been the rise of flexible working. The rules for Skilled Workers have reformed significantly over the past few years and have adapted to permit a more flexible format. Skilled Workers are now permitted to undertake supplementary work up to 20 hours a week in any eligible job type with another employer (provided the worker is still working for their sponsor). The Home Office also updated the sponsor guidance recognising hybrid working and no longer requiring sponsors to inform them if a sponsored worker is moving to a hybrid working pattern.
Impact of Technological Advancements
Technological advancements are significantly influencing immigration, and in particular, the Skilled Worker route. The immigration landscape is becoming more streamlined in numerous ways with the aim of making the process more efficient.
The Home Office is currently in the process of replacing Biometrics Residence Permits (BRPs) with the eVisa. An eVisa is digital evidence of an individual’s immigration status. From 1 January 2025, all BRP holders will need an eVisa as the BRPs will no longer be valid. There have been some initial teething problems with the switchover, however, there is dedicated Home Office free advice and support to those who require assistance. Another example is AORA Immigration, which provides lawyers and HR teams with AI-driven automation of Skilled Worker visa evaluation, eligibility, document drafting and application forms. Technological advancements such as these have the ability to revolutionise UK immigration, saving practitioners time and resources.
Data is collected from both the sponsor and job applicant in the form of smart questionnaires. Once completed, a full Skilled Worker visa eligibility assessment is conducted by the software, providing a written report once concluded. The software then automatically prepares and completes the certificates of sponsorship and visa applications. It usually takes 90 minutes to 2 hours for practitioners to manually complete the visa applications, as opposed to 15 minutes through AORA’s automation software.
Practitioners will need to adapt to technological advancements as they are now central to immigration processes and are beginning to be reflected through pricing pressures. Understanding how to adapt will allow practitioners to better support clients, avoid errors and advance visa preparation processes. Very large global mobility consultants are, it appears, seeking to implement fully automated processing.
Potential Reforms
It appears that UK immigration will continue to be a crucial focal point for the new government. The UK relies on foreign workers to fill roles that domestic workers either do not have the skills or expertise to fill or simply do not want to fill. It is essential that the government addresses immigration carefully, ensuring that decisions do not restrict employers from meeting workplace demands while also encouraging work and innovation.
Best Practices for Practitioners
As Skilled Worker immigration becomes more complex and competitive, practitioners must adapt to the evolving system by staying on top of law changes and leveraging technology to its fullest extent to streamline processes. Technological advancements alone provide a competitive edge as they can enhance the accuracy and speed of immigration preparation processes.
Lastly…
How prepared is your organisation to navigate the evolving Skilled Worker immigration route and leverage technological advancements to support your own business or your clients effectively?
