The United Kingdom’s government has imposed “radical reforms” on the immigration system to reduce migration and restore controls at the borders.
Through a statement, the government of the UK said that the new measures will reshape the immigration system towards those who contribute most to the UK’s economy, with higher skills standards for graduates and workers, VisaGuide.World reports.
New requirements on employers to boost domestic training will end the reliance on international recruitment, restoring order to a failed system that saw net migration quadruple between 2019 and 2023.
Among the new changes through the Restoring Control over the Immigration System polices include:
- Reversing the trend of hiring more foreign workers instead of focusing on local skills and training.
- New labour market evidence groups will be established in order to use the best available data, in order to understand the labour market and the role that different policies should play, instead of relying on migration.
- Departments will work together with industry groups as part of this approach.
“Skilled Must Mean Skilled”
The government said that it would be lifting the level for skilled workers to RQF 6 (Graduate level) and above, adding that salary thresholds will also increase.
According to the government, the salary list, which offers people discounts from salary thresholds, will be lifted.
Access to the points-based immigration system will be limited to occupations where there have been long term shortages, on a time limited basis, where MAC has advised it is justified, where there is a workforce strategy in place, and where employers seeking to recruit from abroad are committed to playing their part in increasing recruitment from the domestic workforce,.
Authorities in Britain have announced that they will end recruitment for social care visas. According to the statement from the UK’s government, the UK will close social care visas to new applications from foreign countries.
In addition, the requirements for recruiting international students for all sponsoring institutions will also be tightened.
The UK will also “make it clear” through legislation that it is the government and Parliament that decides who should have the right to stay in the UK.
Authorities in the UK will also ensure that the very highly skilled have the opportunity to travel to the UK and offer them new opportunities to stay in this country.
In cases of abuse, tighter visa controls, restrictions, or requirements will be applied.