More than three and a half years after UK voted to leave, they finally left the European Union after 47 years of membership. The Government published a policy statement setting out details of its planned new immigration system, due to take effect from 1 January 2021 almost as if it were a celebration of their exit. 

The statement seemed to have been the government’s greatest attempt of border control and an attempt to bring the overall migration numbers down. However, being released less than a month after BREXIT, it came as a surprise, and there has been much criticism on the new UK visa system. Many Industry leaders, including the healthcare sector, and politicians have criticized the government, saying the new system could make it difficult for the UK to attract needed workers.  

The proposals represent remarkably little change to the systems which have been around for almost 12 years. Under this new system, both EU and non-EU skilled workers will be awarded points based on relevant criteria, such as meeting the salary threshold, specific skills and their ability to speak English. Only the applicants with 70 points will be granted a visa.   


Effective data

In a statement the government said: "These new arrangements will take effect from January 1st 2021, once freedom of movement with the European Union (EU) has ended. It will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally and aims to attract people who can contribute to the UK’s economy.


What are the key changes?

The changes are designed to cut the number of low-skilled migrants entering UK from the beginning of next year but aim to make it easier for higher-skilled workers to get UK visas.


The proposed new system will apply to different routes as follows:

The skills threshold for Tier 2 will be reduced to include 'medium skilled' occupations known as Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 (equivalent to A-level), down from level 6 (equivalent to degree level) 

The salary threshold for skilled migrants will be lowered for those coming to the UK with a job offer from £25,600 to £30,000 and there may be concessions for those earning no less than £20,480 as long as they still meet certain requirements (e.g. if they have a relevant PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job) or their occupation is short of staff. This could mean lower earners such as nurses, chefs and Secondary education teaching professionals, etc. might still be able to apply for a visa, provided that a shortage of occupation remain on the approved list. 

 Employers will no longer be required to advertise positions to the resident labour market. 

There will be no numerical cap on the number of work visas issued per year. 

 There will no longer be a route for low-skilled foreign workers


Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa route, another point based system, was changed and replaced by a new Global Talent category. As the new Global Talent visa is very similar to the previous Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent), it is safe to say that applicants who meet the points in the eligibility criteria for the previous visa should also be able to meet the criteria for the new visa. 

Apart from a change of name, and a move to a non-points-based system, the route will function in a broadly similar way to its predecessor, the Tier 1 Exceptional Visa. The key changes to this route are:  

There will be no limit to how many foreign nationals being accepted under the Global Talent Route, whereas under Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent), applications are capped at 2,000 per year.  

The redesigned route now offers expedited settlement (3 years compared to the previous 5) for those granted endorsement under the Exceptional Promise route, except if the endorsement was under the Tech Nation route.


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