Employers hiring labor outside the United Kingdom must get a sponsor license for performing these activities.
Many businesses think hiring foreign labor is crucial, as personnel shortages are hobbling several sectors. Unsurprisingly, there is growing support for introducing a special hospitality visa program to relieve the pressure; however, this may still take some time off, given that net immigration is at an all-time high.
The UK has instituted an immigration system that treats all applicants equally regardless of their country of origin and has stopped free movement between the UK and the EU. You must meet specific standards and get approval before hiring anyone outside the UK except Irish nationals. Each type of visa has its restrictions.
Applicants for the EU Settlement Scheme must be citizens of the EEA and Switzerland who were residents of the UK as of December 31, 2020, along with their dependents.
Additional Read: Americans No Longer Want To Work In These 10 Jobs
Skilled Workers
To qualify for the skilled worker route, everyone you hire from outside the UK must be able to prove that:
- They speak the required level of English and have an employment offer from a sponsor authorized by the Home Office.
- The position offered requires RQF3 or higher in terms of skill (equivalent to A level)
- At least £25,600 will be paid, or the “going rate” for the job offer.
The applicant may still be eligible to apply if the position pays less than this, but no less than £20,480, by “trading” points for particular qualities against their salary. For instance, if they have a job offer in a profession that is in demand or possess a Ph.D. pertinent to the position. There are differing compensation standards for employees in some health or education jobs and “new entrants” just starting their careers.
The Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations contains more details on which professions demand a certain level of ability and the wages associated with those professions. Companies cannot generally hire from outside the UK for positions paying less than £20,480 or at a skill level below RQF3.
Transfers within a Firm
A worker can apply for the Intra-Company Transfer route if they wish to be transferred from an overseas branch of your company to work for you in the UK. Existing employees who will take on roles that fulfill the required skill and compensation levels must apply.
Employees moving to the UK must:
- Possess a minimum of 12 months of experience working for a company owned or controlled by the UK company they will work for and be sponsored as an intra-company transfer by a Home Office authorized sponsor.
- Be performing a function that requires at least RQF6 in terms of skill level (graduate level equivalent)
- Be compensated with a minimum of £41,500 or the “going rate” for the position, whichever is higher.
Workers moving via intra-company transfer are only given temporary permission to do so. However, they can only remain in the UK for up to five years in any six-year term. Workers may be deployed to the UK more than once.
To stay for up to nine years during any ten years, employees paid over £73,900 do not need to have worked abroad for a full year.
The Intra-Company Graduate Trainee path is open to employees who are relocated to the UK for up to a year as part of a structured graduate training program. The only differences between the requirements and the rules are salary and time spent working abroad.
Additional Read: UK – Vacancies decline monthly but remain significantly above pre-covid levels: Apsco.
Other Options
The introduction to the points-based system for employers document contains a complete list of worker paths. Unsponsored immigration programs include Global Talent. You do not require a license to recruit somebody with an unsponsored visa.
In science, humanities, engineering, the arts, and digital technology, the Worldwide Talent Pathway intends to draw recognized global leaders and bright newcomers. Twenty thousand young people (between 18 and 30) can travel and work in the UK each year thanks to the Youth Mobility Scheme. Whether new joiners are authorized to work in the UK must still be verified.
Dynamic Staffing Services keeps up with the news and writes about it. If you found this article beneficial and want more industry-related news, do subscribe to our monthly newsletter. If you want to hire international skilled workers from India or its subcontinent, contact us immediately at +91-11-40410000 or enquiry@dss-hr.com or visit our website: Dynamic Staffing Services
