Support migrant centric journalism today and donate
The UK government has published an official statement of changes to UK immigration rules. The majority of changes have been made to the UK Work Visa and Study Visa routes and include:
The opening of the new graduate route on 1 July, 2021
The expansion of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL)
The streamlining of Global Talent Visa access for winners of specific awards
A declaration form for international travel amid the coronavirus pandemic has also been introduced. The statement of changes were published on 4 March, following Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak’s, Budget announcement on 3 March.
New Graduate route to open
On 1 July, applications will be taken for the new Graduate route. This new route is for international students who successfully complete a degree at a UK higher education institution. The route gives international students with a bachelor’s degree or a PhD the option to remain in the UK for a further two or three years.
Bachelor’s degree holders can stay in Britain for a further two years, while PhD degree holders can remain for three. During this time, they will be allowed to look for a job at any skill level.
Applications for the Graduate route must be made within the UK while a student still has a valid Student or Tier 4 Visa. Unfortunately, international students with a Tier 4 or Student Visa that expires before the launch of the Graduate route will not be eligible to apply.
The route will also be excluded from counting towards any future application made for UK indefinite leave to remain. However, it’s understood that Graduate route visa holders will be able to switch to the Skilled Worker Visa route from within the UK under the lower salary requirement available to ‘new entrants.’
This is conditional on applying within two years of holding student status. Meanwhile, dependent family members of international students can also apply for a UK Visa, provided that they are in the UK and were last granted a visa as a dependent family member of the main applicant.
However, ‘new dependant’ applications are prohibited, unless it is a child that is born during the course of a Student or Graduate Visa.
Shortage Occupation List for skilled workers expanded
Following recommendations made by the Migration Advisory Committee, the UK government will expand the Shortage Occupation List on 1 April, 2021 to include:
Healthcare professionals
Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
Pharmacists
Senior care workers
Global Talent Visa changes
From 1 April, the UK Global Talent Visa route will be streamlined and will enable applicants to bypass the endorsement requirement. Instead, applicants will qualify for the visa if they have a received a prestigious prize. A list of eligible prizes will be outlined in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes.
The Global Talent Visa is exclusive to people classified as talented or showing promise in the fields of science, digital technology, the arts and culture and want to work in the UK.
Declaration form for international travel (COVID-19)
The government introduced a declaration form for international travel on 5 March for people looking to travel abroad from England for a legally valid reason. Anyone travelling outside the UK must complete the form stating reasons for travelling prior to departing. Valid legal reasons for travel include:
Education
Medical or compassionate reasons
Volunteering
Weddings, funerals and related events
Work
Workpermit.com can help with Sponsor Licences
If you need help with employing Skilled Workers and help to apply for a Sponsor Licence, including complying with your Sponsor Licence obligations, workpermit.com can help.
For more information and advice on Sponsor licences, please contact us on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com
