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UPDATE: New Immigration System 2021
The UKVI has updated its guidance on the Immigration system coming into place in 2021.
The key points to note are:
- New immigration routes will open from autumn 2020 for applications to work, live and study in the UK from 1 January 2021.
- Re-iteration on the process for Skilled Workers. Please see our blog on this
- The global talent scheme will be opened up to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. It will allow highly-skilled scientists and researchers to come to the UK without a job offer.
- Student visa routes will be opened up to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens.
- A new graduate immigration route will be available to international students who have completed a degree in the UK from summer 2021. You’ll be able to work or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to 2 years.
- Short-term work visas in specific sectors (the current ‘Tier 5’) and investor, business development and talent visas (the current ‘Tier 1’) will be opened up to EU citizens.
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and other non-visa nationals will not require a visa to enter the UK when visiting the UK for up to 6 months.
- If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen living in the UK before 31 December 2020, you and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens will use an online service to view their immigration status and to prove their status to others.
- Non-EU citizens will continue to use a physical document to prove their immigration status.
In the midst of the global pandemic, when the whole nation has seen how much a country relies on its ‘low-skilled’ workers, the Home Office felt it necessary to state that care workers, nurses, hospital porters, cleaners, logistics personnel, postal workers etc will not be able to apply for the UK work visa from January 2021.
The update to the guidance on the new immigration system reiterates:
“There will not be an immigration route specifically for those who do not meet the skills or salary threshold for the skilled worker route.”
The only “low-skilled” workers that the government envisages letting in are agricultural labourers.
At UK Visas, we have a team of expert consultants who have significant experience in advising clients on all aspects of immigration law. If you would like bespoke advice or answers to any queries on the points above, please contact a member of the team on 01403 801801 or email [email protected]