The Immigration White Paper: what it means for business

Earlier this month, the government published its long-anticipated Immigration White Paper. While certain rumoured changes - including the scrapping of the graduate visa and introduction of a net migration cap - were not introduced and will be welcomed by businesses, the White Paper has introduced a sweep of proposals which will make it more difficult for businesses to recruit workers from overseas.

What has been announced?

The White Paper sets out how the government plans to reform different areas of legal and illegal migration. A subset of these proposals include changes which will impact businesses' ability to recruit and sponsor workers and students from overseas. The full copy of the White Paper can be found here.

Examples of key changes include:

Work reforms

• Skilled Worker Visa thresholds are being increased.
• The skills threshold will rise from RQF 3 (equivalent to an A Level) to RQF 6 (degree-level).
• The Immigration Salary List will be abolished.
• A new Temporary S