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

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.