Points-based visa system revealed

EU and non-EU citizens will be treated equally, and must accumulate 70 points to qualify to work in the UK. Points are awarded for speaking English (10 points), having a job offer (20 points), skills, qualifications and working in a sector where there is a shortage of workers.

The salary threshold for ‘skilled’ workers will drop from £30,000 to £25,600, and will fall to £20,480 for ‘specific shortage occupations’, such as ballet dancing, nursing and civil engineering. There will be no cap on skilled workers.

A level-standard rather than a university degree will be the required education threshold.

The definition of ‘skilled’ will change, removing certain types of agricultural labour and customer service work and adding categories in plastering, carpentry and childminding.

A fast-track scheme will operate for highly skilled workers, for example, scientists and mathematicians, to come to the UK without a job offer.

However, there will be no visa route for low-skilled workers. Announcing the changes, the Home Office noted that an estimated 70% of the existing EU workforce do not meet the requirements of the skilled worker route.

Student visa routes will also be points-based, with visa applicants required to show they have an offer, they can speak English and they can support themselves financially.

In response to shortages of workers in agriculture last year, with fields of fruit left unpicked, the Seasonal Workers Pilot has been expanded to allow farmers to hire up to 10,000 workers in 2020 rather than the current 2,500.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: ‘We will attract the brightest and the best from around the globe, boosting the economy and our communities, and unleash this country’s full potential.’

However, several industry spokespeople, including from the National Farmers Union and the Royal College of Nursing, have raised concerns that the new system will create serious problems.

Tim Roache, General Secretary of the GMB, said the changes could ‘put whole sectors―such as social care and food, not to mention the NHS―at risk.’

Law Society deputy vice president Stephanie Boyce commented:  ‘The introduction of the new points-based system will bring about the most significant changes to the UK’s immigration system seen in decades. Huge numbers of organisations and people will need to engage with the immigration system to recruit international talent. The Law Society has consistently called on the government to ensure there is sufficient time to properly transition to the new system and businesses are supported appropriately. Any future immigration system must operate fairly and consistently for applicants of all nationalities and apply proportionately to businesses of all sizes across the UK.’