A major new statement of changes to the UK Immigration Rules published on March 16 launches new business routes to alleviate Covid’s economic consequences. Namely, the Government’s post-Covid ‘Plan for Growth’ strategy was announced with the introduction of the five Global Business Mobility routes, the High Potential Individual (HPI) route and the Scale-up route.
The HPI route is a new elite points-based route to attract ‘the brightest and best' to the UK.
Comes into force: on 30 May 2022
Requirements for applicants
Applicants in this route must have been awarded within the last 5 years either a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree from one of the top global universities outside the UK.
Requirements for universities
The university ranking will be published in the Home Office’s ‘Global Universities List'. The list will be compiled annually and consist of eligible non-UK institutions included in the list of the top 50 universities in at least two of the following ranking systems:
Language requirement
English level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), in common with the Skilled Worker route.
Visa duration
The visa will be granted for 2 years for individuals with a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s or Master’s level degree; or for 3 years for individuals with a qualification equivalent to a UK PhD.
Dependents
Successful applicants will be able to bring dependent family members (spouses/partners and children under 18), as in other work routes.
The Scale-up route is a new route that will allow individuals with a sponsored job offer from an authorised UK scale-up company to qualify for a ‘fast-track visa'.
Comes into force: on 22 August 2022
Requirements for companies looking to sponsor under this route
A company will need to demonstrate they have an annualised growth of at least 20% for the previous 3-year period in terms of turnover and staffing and a minimum of 10 employees at the start of the 3-year period.
The details on what exactly the registration process will entail for companies will be introduced by the UK government later.
Requirements for job offers
The would-be employee’s required skills have to fall into the threshold of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) of Level 6 or equivalent (graduate level). It is higher than the current threshold for the Skilled Worker visa requirements which is set to at RQF of level 3 and above. The applicants must also be paid at least £33,000 per year or the going rate for the particular occupation.
Language requirement
English level B1 on on the CEFR, in common with the Skilled Worker route
Visa duration
Applicants will initially be granted a visa for 2 years — the first 6 months of which they must work for the sponsor. After that, their immigration status will no longer be tied to that employer. Visa extension for a period of up to 3 years is possible.
The visa category leads to ILR (indefinite leave to remain) after 5 years.
Dependents
Successful applicants will be able to bring dependent family members (spouses/partners and children under 18), as in other work routes.
The Global Business Mobility routes are a number of new sponsored routes for businesses that are seeking to either establish a presence in the UK, transfer overseas staff to the UK, or come to the UK for a specific business purpose.
There are five new individual routes (five sub-categories) planned: Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, and Secondment Worker. Four of the routes will replace existing visa categories (mainly rebranding) and the remaining individual category will create a new provision for secondments.
Come into force: on 11 April 2022
Key elements
Senior or Specialist Worker. This visa sub-category will replace the Intra-Company Transfer route. The Senior or Specialist Worker visa will be appropriate for senior managers or specialist employees who are being assigned to a UK business which is linked by common ownership to the overseas employing company.
Graduate Trainee. This visa sub-category will replace the Intra-Company Graduate Trainee route. The Graduate Trainee visa will be for workers on a graduate training course which leads to a senior management or specialist position and who are required to undertake a work placement in the UK.
UK Expansion Worker. This visa sub-category will replace the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business route (however it will remain open for Media Representatives and those already on Sole Rep visas extending or applying for ILR). The UK Expansion Worker visa will be for specialist or senior employees who are being assigned to the UK to assist with the overseas business’s expansion to the UK.
Service Supplier. This visa sub-category will replace contractual service providers and independent professional persons in the Temporary Worker — International Agreement route. The Service Supplier visa will be for overseas workers coming to the UK to provide a service that is in line with a UK trade commitment.
Secondment Worker. This new route will be for workers who are being seconded to the UK as part of a high value contract or investment by their employer overseas.
