Brexit: New skills-based immigration system announced
The UK Government has issued a White Paper on the future of the immigration system in the UK.
The new system will apply to all overseas nationals (except those from Ireland) entering the UK after 31 December 2020, and will be introduced in a phased process before the end of this implementation period.
Proposed changes to the existing immigration rules are:
- expansion of the Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa route
- removal of the cap on the number of overseas nationals coming to the UK for work
- removal of the requirement to meet the Resident Labour Market Test for Tier 2 (General)
- lowering of the role skill level for sponsorship from RQF6 (PhD/Masters/Degree) to RQF3 (A Level)
- the ability for nationals from some "low risk" countries to apply for work visas within the UK.
EU nationals will no longer be able to enter the UK for work without a visa from 1 January 2021. Those already resident in the UK, or who enter before 31 December 2020, will continue to be subject to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Further information
Further details abut the new system, as well as the full document and an executive summary, are available on the GOV.UK website.
Related links
- Brexit In depth homepage - Statements and updates relating to the Brexit process.
Posted in: Brexit