From 2021, any firm seeking to hire workers from overseas will need to use a new immigration system. Find out what this will mean for your business.
19 Feb 2020, 6 min read
Today’s government announcement marks a big change in how firms will be able to hire overseas workers (including from the EU) from 1 January 2021. The CBI has long campaigned for the new immigration system to be open and controlled – valuing people’s contribution beyond their salary while retaining public confidence. Several features of the new system demonstrate that business’ voice has been heard.
What will the new system be?
- All employers seeking to hire from overseas must become a licensed ‘sponsor’. This requires employers to meet legal responsibilities set out by the Home Office
- All overseas workers must have
- A job offer
- A-level equivalent skills or above (RQF level 3+)
- Speak English at a required level
- Overseas workers that earn over £25,600 and above the median salary for their sector (occupational threshold) will automatically qualify for a visa
- Overseas workers that earn a minimum of £20,480 or less than the occupational threshold could be eligible for a visa if they have sufficient t
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