Changes to employment requirements in work visa routes in 2023

The UK Home Office is making changes to the Skilled Worker visa and other work visa routes. The majority of these changes will take effect on 12 April 2023.

The Home Office publishes changes to the UK Immigration Rules twice a year in March and October. This time, they have announced wide-reaching changes to various UK work visas.

Salary changes

A notable change is the increase in the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa category from £25,600 to £26,200 per year. However, some exemptions apply for certain roles, such as health or education. 

The minimum salary requirement has also been increased for the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker and UK Expansion Worker categories, from £42,400 to £45,800.

Additionally, the calculation of annual salaries is now based on a 37.5-, rather than the previous 39-hour week. This change has an effect on the salaries attached to the UK government’s specific job codes. Some have increased, others have decreased.

It is important for any sponsor not to rely on their past experience with these categories when it comes to calculating the salary they need to pay a sponsored employee. They are well advised to calculate the salary required for new employees starting after 12 April 2023 afresh.

Global Business Mobility

Australian nationals and permanent residents of Australia applying under the Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route are no longer required to show they have worked for their overseas employer for the 12 months immediately preceding their application. 

Youth Mobility Scheme

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows nationals of specific countries to come to the UK for 2 years to live and work.

The maximum age for nationals from New Zealand applying for the Youth Mobility Scheme has been increased from 30 to 35 years, and the length of stay has been increased from 2 to 3 years. Those already in the UK under this visa can apply in the UK for an extension.

Global Talent

The Global Talent visa is available to individuals who are considered to be exceptional in their field.

Endorsement criteria and evidential requirements have been clarified for the route, and the settlement requirements have been updated to allow time spent as a Representative of an Overseas Business to be included as part of the 3- or 5-year continuous residence period. 

Innovator

The Innovator visa allows holders to set up an innovative, viable and scaleable business in the UK. Until now it was required to show that at least £50,000 were available to the UK business. This has been abandoned in favour of the applicant having to show that they have sufficient funds to get their particular business off the ground, so that could be much less (or much more) than £50,000.

It will also be possible for Innovators to work in businesses other than their own, as long as the second job is skilled to at least A-level.

These changes have made the Start-up visa obsolete, so this category will close.

Other minor changes

The Home Office has updated the permitted reasons for absences from employment to include jury service and attending court as a witness.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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