Immigration Rules Changes Announced
March 5, 2021
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At a Glance
The UK government has published a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. Key changes include, among others:
- The opening of a New Graduate Route on July 1, 2021;
- An expanded shortage occupation list for Skilled Workers; and
- Streamlined Global Talent visa access for winners of specified awards.
The situation
The UK government has published a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules which builds upon the new immigration system, which was opened on December 1, 2020.
A closer look
Effective July 1, 2021, the Graduate route will become available. Key details of the route include the following:
| CHANGE | DETAILS | IMPACT |
|
New Graduate Route |
|
Previously, no separate graduate permit route existed. The new permit opens a streamlined route to retain talented graduates in the United Kingdom, where eligible applicants previously had to meet restrictive eligibility requirements under standard immigration options. |
The following changes will take effect April 1, 2021:
| CHANGE | DETAILS | IMPACT |
|
Expanded Shortage Occupation List for Skilled Workers |
The UK government will revise the Shortage Occupation List in line with the MAC recommendations, adding approximately 20 occupations including roles related to senior health and social care, electricians and graphic designers, among others. |
Employers will benefit from lower government fees and, in some cases, lower minimum salary levels for newly identified shortage roles. |
|
Streamlined Global Talent Visa access for award winners |
Applicants who have reached the ‘pinnacle of their careers’ and received a prestigious award no longer require endorsement from one of the six endorsing bodies to apply for a Global Talent Visa. Eligible awards are listed in the Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes. This is in line with one of the changes announced in the Budget Report. |
Accomplished individuals will benefit from streamlined access to the United Kingdom. |
|
Reinstatement of certain measures |
|
These updates reinstate previous rules and clarify the position of affected applicants. |
Background
The introduction of the Graduate route was first announced September 2019, and is intended to increase the attractiveness of the United Kingdom as an international study destination, which is experiencing a significant downturn in demand from international students as a result of Brexit. The new route means that international students can now spend significantly longer after the end of their degrees looking for sponsored work in the United Kingdom, and can during this time be employed without employers facing the significant compliance and government fee costs associated with formal work sponsorship.
Looking ahead
The UK government will release detailed guidance on the above and other rules before April 1, 2020. Fragomen will report on relevant developments
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact your Fragomen immigration professional or send an email to [email protected].
