UK Visa Policy: Latest Updates

The UK government has recently introduced new measures relating to visa policies and immigration rules. These measures have been put in place to enhance the country’s national security, improve border control and attract highly skilled migrants to the UK. In this article, we shall explore the latest updates to the UK’s visa policy.

Changes to the Skilled Worker Visa

The UK government has allocated a total of 20,000 visa places for the year 2021/2022 in order to maintain the supply of skills which are critical to sectors such as healthcare, education and engineering. The minimum salary threshold required for skilled workers has also been lowered to ￡25,600 per year. For certain jobs, such as those in healthcare and education, the salary threshold is even lower at ￡20,480 per year. These changes have been designed to make it easier for skilled workers to apply for and obtain a UK visa.

Introduction of the Graduate Route Visa

The Graduate Route visa offers a new immigration route for international students who have successfully completed their studies at a UK university. With this visa, graduates can work or look for work in the UK for up to two years without the need for a sponsor. The hope is that this visa will attract more international students to the UK and encourage them to continue to stay after their studies are complete, thus boosting the country’s economy and workforce.

Pilot Scheme for NHS Workers

A pilot scheme has been introduced by the UK government to enable 20 NHS trusts to recruit overseas healthcare workers. These workers will be granted fast-track visas, reduced visa fees and dedicated support with the visa application process. The scheme is aimed at addressing the current shortages of healthcare workers in the UK, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Changes to the Global Talent Visa

The UK government has made changes to the Global Talent Visa, which has been designed to attract highly skilled migrants to work, research and study in the UK. The visa application process has been streamlined to make it easier for applicants to apply and be granted the visa. The government has also expanded the eligibility criteria for the visa in order to attract more talent to the UK.

Conclusion

The UK government’s recent updates to its visa policy demonstrate a commitment to attracting and retaining highly skilled workers to come and work in the country. With measures such as the Graduate Route Visa and the pilot scheme for NHS workers, the government is working towards strengthening key sectors of the economy and addressing workforce shortages. It remains to be seen how effective these measures will be, but they are certainly a step in the right direction towards achieving a more welcoming and inclusive immigration policy in the UK.