European Pharmaceutical Review: The Case for Immigration Concessions: Maintaining the UK’s Competitiveness in Science and Technology
March 27, 2025

Countries / Territories
Related contacts
Related industries
Related offices
Related contacts
Related industries
Related offices
Related contacts
Related industries
Related offices
In European Pharmaceutical Review, Partner Rajiv Naik and Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh explore how the UK’s current immigration system may be limiting its ability to attract top global talent in science and technology.
They highlight concerns from the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee around visa costs and qualification requirements potentially affecting the UK’s global competitiveness, noting that, for example, the 2024 Royal Society report found that the country's upfront visa costs are 17 times higher than those of other leading science nations.
Raj and Ana Sofia point to opportunities for the UK to align more closely with international best practices—such as recognising professional experience alongside formal qualifications, offering more competitive visa costs and creating flexible short-term work pathways—to help position the UK as a more accessible and appealing destination for scientific and pharmaceutical professionals.
Read the full article here.
Countries / Territories
Related contacts
Related industries
Related offices
Related contacts
Related industries
Related offices
Related contacts
Related industries
Related offices
Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how new regulations have led Polish companies to adjust their use of work permits.

Media mentions

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the potential implications of the $100,000 H-1B fee for employers, universities and research programs relying on international talent.

Blog post
Partner Natasha Catterson discusses how proposed changes to UK residency and citizenship rules could affect immigration planning and applicant eligibility.

Fragomen news
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised for her work shaping global immigration and workforce mobility.

Awards
Fragomen was recognized by Oasis Legal Services with the Ally in Action Award at their 8th Annual Community Celebration: Liberation Sounds Like Us, which took place on September 12, 2025 in Oakland, California.

Video
Fragomen FC hosts recap major international football transfers and tournaments played this summer.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg highlights how careful planning can help international students navigate US visa changes and avoid disruptions to study and travel.

Media mentions
Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Brazil’s evolving energy sector and the role of compliance in supporting innovation.

Blog post
Manager Adam Hickling, Senior Immigration Consultant Katya Fedorenko and Paralegal Sasindie Ambawatte explore how upcoming changes to the UK's skilled worker visa scheme may affect recruitment and retention in the aviation sector.

Media mentions

Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how new regulations have led Polish companies to adjust their use of work permits.

Media mentions

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the potential implications of the $100,000 H-1B fee for employers, universities and research programs relying on international talent.

Blog post
Partner Natasha Catterson discusses how proposed changes to UK residency and citizenship rules could affect immigration planning and applicant eligibility.

Fragomen news
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised for her work shaping global immigration and workforce mobility.

Awards
Fragomen was recognized by Oasis Legal Services with the Ally in Action Award at their 8th Annual Community Celebration: Liberation Sounds Like Us, which took place on September 12, 2025 in Oakland, California.

Video
Fragomen FC hosts recap major international football transfers and tournaments played this summer.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg highlights how careful planning can help international students navigate US visa changes and avoid disruptions to study and travel.

Media mentions
Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Brazil’s evolving energy sector and the role of compliance in supporting innovation.

Blog post
Manager Adam Hickling, Senior Immigration Consultant Katya Fedorenko and Paralegal Sasindie Ambawatte explore how upcoming changes to the UK's skilled worker visa scheme may affect recruitment and retention in the aviation sector.

Media mentions