United Kingdom: Budget and Spending Review Report for 2021 Released; Focus on Scale Ups and Creating Dynamic and Open Economy
October 29, 2021
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At a Glance
The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer has provided further information on several proposals for the United Kingdom’s immigration regime in the 2021 Budget and Spending Review Report, which include:
- The creation of a scale-up visa subcategory;
- Reformation of the Global Talent visa category; and
- Maintaining the expanded Department for International Trade Global Entrepreneur Programme.
The proposals are aimed at bringing highly-skilled individuals to the United Kingdom in growing key science and technology sectors.
The situation
The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer has provided further information on several proposed plans for the United Kingdom’s immigration regime in the newly-published 2021 Budget and Spending Review Report.
A closer look
The below table describes some of the specific proposals for the immigration system listed in the Budget Report:
| Proposed Plans | Impact |
| Scale-up visa subcategory. By March 2022, introduce an elite points-based visa which will have a “scale-up” stream allowing those with a job offer from a recognized UK scale-up (which is a later stage of a start-up) to qualify for a fast-track visa. The visa will be open to applicants who: • pass the language proficiency requirement; • have a high-skilled job offer from an eligible business; and • with a salary of at least GBP 33,000. |
The visa would give foreign nationals an opportunity to live and work in the United Kingdom without an employer or family member’s sponsorship. This visa route is aimed at bringing highly-skilled workers to the United Kingdom in the growing financial technology sector. |
| Global Talent Network. Alongside immigration system reforms, the government will launch a Global Talent Network to bring highly skilled people to the United Kingdom in key science and technology sectors. A concierge service will also be made available to support people moving to the United Kingdom. The Global Talent Network will launch in 2022 in the Bay Area and Boston in the United States, and Bengaluru in India. |
This network will work with businesses and research institutions to identify UK skills needs and source talent in overseas campuses, innovation hubs and research institutions to bring to the United Kingdom. This is aimed at bringing highly-skilled individuals to the United Kingdom in the growing key science and technology sectors and push for the country to be a leader in these industries. |
| Department for International Trade. The government will maintain the expanded Department for International Trade (DIT) Global Entrepreneur Programme. This will allow the programme to continue to expand its global footprint to bring an extra 100 innovative, highly skilled entrepreneurs to the United Kingdom each year. |
This is aimed at bringing highly-skilled entrepreneurs to the United Kingdom in the growing technology sector. This will help maintain a high-growth of overseas companies relocating to the United Kingdom.
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Background
The 2021 Budget and Spending Review Report reflects the continuing challenges of the UK government after the economic trials of the COVID-19 pandemic and the end of the Brexit transition period. The report is building upon the proposals set out in the Budget Report in March 2021.
Looking ahead
Any changes to the immigration system would be implemented via a statement of changes to the Immigration Rules. We will report on related developments.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
