Important Updates
Important Updates
August 20, 2025 | ThailandThailand: New Rules Forthcoming for Board of Investment-Promoted Companies
August 21, 2025 | United StatesFragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™
August 21, 2025 | 🌐United States: Appeals Court Stays Postponement of TPS Terminations for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
August 20, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
August 20, 2025 | SingaporeSingapore: New Salary Benchmarking Table by Sector Now Available
August 20, 2025 | ThailandThailand: New Rules Forthcoming for Board of Investment-Promoted Companies
August 21, 2025 | United StatesFragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™
August 21, 2025 | 🌐United States: Appeals Court Stays Postponement of TPS Terminations for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
August 20, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
August 20, 2025 | SingaporeSingapore: New Salary Benchmarking Table by Sector Now Available
August 20, 2025 | ThailandThailand: New Rules Forthcoming for Board of Investment-Promoted Companies
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Blast-off! Will Overseas Talent Take the UK Space Industry to New Heights?

October 3, 2023

Outer space stars and planets

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

Charlotte-Wills

Charlotte Wills

Partner

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9130

Kelly-Hardman

Kelly Hardman

Director

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9277

Related industries

  • Space and Aerospace

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Charlotte-Wills

Charlotte Wills

Partner

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9130

Kelly-Hardman

Kelly Hardman

Director

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9277

Related industries

  • Space and Aerospace

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Charlotte-Wills

Charlotte Wills

Partner

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9130

Kelly-Hardman

Kelly Hardman

Director

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9277

Related industries

  • Space and Aerospace

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Charlotte Wills, Kelly Hardman, Josh Beynon

Considered to be one of the United Kingdom’s fastest-growing industries, the space sector is making its mark: the global space economy grew 8% to $546 billion in 2022 and is projected to climb another 41% over the next five years. 

Investment opportunities are plentiful, with the UK government’s national space strategy aimed at helping the sector reach £490 billion over the next 10 years. No longer is this just a field for astronauts; a variety of STEM skills continue to be in fierce demand to take the UK’s space ambitions to the next level.

However, this growing industry is seeing a critical skills shortage, with organisations facing challenges with recruitment and retention that, in turn, restrict growth and productivity—especially with mid- and senior-level personnel.

In a new report published this month by the Space Skills Alliance for the UK Space Agency, more than half of organisations reported a skills gap in their workforce, and, of those trying to recruit from overseas, 83% experienced difficulties.

Immigration (and beyond)!

When trying to attract the best and brightest overseas talent, organisations often turn to the UK immigration systems’ sponsored route to enable them to hire, although high costs can often be prohibitive to companies trying to establish themselves in a competitive market.

The unsponsored pathways that exist under the UK system could, however, also be explored as part of recruitment pipelines, often resulting in moves that are quicker, easier and cheaper to manage, as they are specifically designed to attract talented, skilled workers. These pathways are explored in more detail below.

Youth Mobility

The UK’s Youth Mobility visa has recently seen positive enhancements, and from January 2024 will enable a longer duration of stay (shifting from two to three years) for nationals of Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The eligible age range will be widened from 30 to 35 for those applicants. For the first time, applicants from Andorra and potentially Uruguay will join the Youth Mobility category, seeing the list of eligible nationalities continue to grow. 

The similar India Young Professionals Scheme will also see its ballot re-open in 2024.

High Potential

The High Potential Individual visa route (also unsponsored) allows individuals who have graduated from an eligible non-UK university in the past five years to work in the UK on an employed or self-employed basis. Successful applicants will be issued with a two-year work visa, or three years for those that hold a Ph.D. and can then switch into longer-term employment categories where eligibility requirements are met.

Graduate

Successful applications under the Graduate route—which enables people to work in the UK for at least two years after graduating from a UK institution—have continued to grow, giving a pathway to remain in the UK following graduation.

The route is another example of an unsponsored route, meaning the individual does not need a job offer to apply for the visa. The individual can work, switch jobs and develop their career without the need for sponsorship.

Processing times for the routes mentioned above are typically in the three-week range, however, priority services may be available for an additional cost.

European Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

Starting in September 2023, holders of pre-settled status under the EUSS will automatically have that status extended by two years if they have not already converted to settled status. The status was previously considered to not be extendable, so the expansion is positive news for those currently in the UK under the EUSS. 

From 2024, pre-settled status holders who are eligible for settled status may have their status switched automatically where authorities have access to validate their eligibility with government-held information (such as via HMRC). A proactive application is not mandatory, although the scheme does remain open for applications to convert pre-settle status to settled status now and does not attract an application fee.

Global Talent

The Global Talent visa (formerly Tier 1 Exceptional Talent) is a flexible UK visa route aimed at individuals who can show that they have exceptional talent or promise multiple fields including science and engineering.

All applicants must obtain endorsement from one of six approved endorsing bodies recognised by the Home Office, so although the process is lengthy compared to others above, the route is specifically designed to attract leading STEM talent to the areas most in need in the UK.

What’s on the horizon?

Whilst the UK’s immigration system is fair, objective and relatively quick for business, the sponsored system often has a high price tag that is unattractive for growing, ambitious sectors such as the UK’s space industry.

Alongside some of the aforementioned routes, the government can continue to look at improvements and flexibility within the immigration system to ensure that employers continue to invest in the UK market and are not unduly detracted.

These factors should be considered as part of a future space workforce action plan to ensure the UK government is doing all it can to turn “Global Britain” into “Galactic Britain.”

Need to know more?

For further information on the UK immigration system or managing recruitment in the UK space sector, please contact Partner Charlotte Wills at [email protected]. For questions related to the space sector in Scotland, please contact Senior Manager Kelly Hardman at [email protected].

This blog was published on 2 October 2023, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

Charlotte-Wills

Charlotte Wills

Partner

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9130

Kelly-Hardman

Kelly Hardman

Director

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9277

Related industries

  • Space and Aerospace

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Charlotte-Wills

Charlotte Wills

Partner

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9130

Kelly-Hardman

Kelly Hardman

Director

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9277

Related industries

  • Space and Aerospace

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Charlotte-Wills

Charlotte Wills

Partner

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9130

Kelly-Hardman

Kelly Hardman

Director

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9277

Related industries

  • Space and Aerospace

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™

The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America™ honors numerous Fragomen attorneys for excellence in immigration law, including Partner Sarah K. Peterson, who received the distinguished “Lawyer of the Year” award.

Learn more

Video

Greek Citizenship by Descent: Are You Eligible?

In this video, Senior Manager Ben Morgan offers a comprehensive overview of Greek citizenship by descent—a key pathway for individuals with Greek ancestry to obtain citizenship.

Learn more

Blog post

Start Smart: Visa Pathways for Educational Opportunities in Thailand

Partner Aim-on Larpisal and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist outline key visa options available to international students seeking to study in Thailand, emphasizing strategic planning for a smooth application process.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Charles Johanes contributes to Global Mobility Lawyer’s Guide to Global Immigration

Partner Charles Johanes contributed insights to the Australia section of a global immigration and mobility guide.

Learn more

Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers

Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Learn more

Blog post

From Ground Staff to Game Day: UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes in 2025 and the Impact on the Hidden Workforce in Sports Sector

Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Learn more

Blog post

Talent & Policy: Navigating Career Beginnings and Hiring Challenges in Singapore

Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Learn more

Blog post

Global Mobility Support and Visa Services: Fragomen’s Outbound Solutions from Germany

Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Learn more

Blog post

Lifting the Curtain: Saudi Arabia Demands Full Disclosure of Real Company Owners

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Learn more

Video

Fragomen's Posted Worker Compliance Solutions

In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Learn more

Blog post

From Facilitation to Surveillance: How Digitalization Will Impact Your European Compliance Program

Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: What the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration Reforms Mean for Employers

Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™

The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America™ honors numerous Fragomen attorneys for excellence in immigration law, including Partner Sarah K. Peterson, who received the distinguished “Lawyer of the Year” award.

Learn more

Video

Greek Citizenship by Descent: Are You Eligible?

In this video, Senior Manager Ben Morgan offers a comprehensive overview of Greek citizenship by descent—a key pathway for individuals with Greek ancestry to obtain citizenship.

Learn more

Blog post

Start Smart: Visa Pathways for Educational Opportunities in Thailand

Partner Aim-on Larpisal and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist outline key visa options available to international students seeking to study in Thailand, emphasizing strategic planning for a smooth application process.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Charles Johanes contributes to Global Mobility Lawyer’s Guide to Global Immigration

Partner Charles Johanes contributed insights to the Australia section of a global immigration and mobility guide.

Learn more

Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers

Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Learn more

Blog post

From Ground Staff to Game Day: UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes in 2025 and the Impact on the Hidden Workforce in Sports Sector

Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Learn more

Blog post

Talent & Policy: Navigating Career Beginnings and Hiring Challenges in Singapore

Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Learn more

Blog post

Global Mobility Support and Visa Services: Fragomen’s Outbound Solutions from Germany

Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Learn more

Blog post

Lifting the Curtain: Saudi Arabia Demands Full Disclosure of Real Company Owners

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Learn more

Video

Fragomen's Posted Worker Compliance Solutions

In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Learn more

Blog post

From Facilitation to Surveillance: How Digitalization Will Impact Your European Compliance Program

Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: What the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration Reforms Mean for Employers

Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.