UK govt to stop businesses recruiting migrants: Minimum salary to switch from PSW to Skilled Worker Visa is £30,960

LONDON Feb 3: As per the new Immigration Rules published on 13 March 2024, the general salary threshold for Skilled Worker Visa has increased to £38,700. This change took effect from 4 April 2024. However, if someone is switching from Post Study Work Visa then they can be classed as a ‘new entrant’ employee and can be paid less than the minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa holder, which is £30,960 for them to receive a Sponsorship visa.

Being new entrants they have 20% discount.

If any of the following applies they are considered as new entrants (as rider their total period on the Certificate of Sponsorship including the time spent on PSW should be less that 4 years). This means they can’t have more than 4 years on the initial COS including the PSW period.

* The applicant must be under 26 years old on the date they apply
* The applicant must be working towards a recognized qualification in a UK-regulated profession
*The applicant must be working towards full registration or chartered status in their job
*The applicant must be a recent UK graduate or about to graduate
*The applicant must have been in the UK on a student visa in the last two years

Graduate visas and Post-Study Work visas are more or less the same thing. Post-Study Work visas were removed in 2012 and have been replaced by Graduate visas. They have a very similar premise, allowing foreign students to remain in the UK to work or look for work after graduating.

When you can be paid less
You might still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa if your job is eligible but your salary is less than the standard salary requirement of £38,700 or your job’s standard ‘going rate’.

You can be paid between 70% and 90% of the standard going rate for your job if your salary is at least £30,960 per year and you meet one of the following criteria:

you’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
you have a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job (if you have a relevant PhD level qualification in any other subject your salary must be at least £26,100)
you have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
There are different salary rules if you work in some healthcare or education jobs or you’re extending your visa or updating your visa.

UK government has vowed to stop businesses recruiting foreign workers instead of training people already in the UK

The UK government has vowed to stop businesses recruiting foreign workers instead of training people already in the UK. Speaking to Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticised the current “relaxed free market approach”, which she says has led net migration to quadruple over the past four years.

“A big driver… has been that overseas recruitment has shot up in a series of areas where training has fallen,” she said.

“This has led to a relaxed free market approach for businesses to just be able to recruit from overseas instead of training in the UK.”

She said there “has to be more requirements” that force firms to show they are making recruitment efforts domestically.

Ms Cooper said the government is “drawing up further measures” that will particularly target industries such as IT, construction, and engineering where “for far too long we have been recruiting from abroad”.

The new Border Security Asylum and Immigration Bill – revealed last week – will link the immigration system to bodies like Skills England and others that are involved in workforce planning, Ms Cooper said.

She said the government will keep the skilled migrant worker salary threshold at £38,700 and it has removed the 20% wage discount for non-EU foreign workers brought in by the Conservatives in 2019.

UK Firms Struggle to Hire Migrant Workers Amidst Stringent Immigration Policies

Numerous businesses in the UK are experiencing challenges when attempting to recruit migrant workers as a result of increasingly stringent immigration policies. The complexity and high costs associated with sponsoring visas have deterred many smaller firms from hiring non-EU workers, even when there is a need for foreign talent to fill job vacancies. This has led to significant skill shortages across various sectors.

Smaller companies, in particular, are disproportionately affected by the onerous and expensive immigration process, making it more difficult for them to employ migrant workers compared to larger corporations. The existing UK immigration system is widely viewed as burdensome, exacerbating the challenge of attracting overseas talent to fill critical roles.

Moreover, local firms often show a preference for candidates with local qualifications and experience, which puts international students at a disadvantage. The COVID-19 pandemic has further compounded the challenges faced by recent graduates, as many companies have reduced hiring efforts due to economic difficulties.

In order to tackle these obstacles, international students are encouraged to adopt a proactive approach when building their careers abroad. Some effective strategies include:

Thoroughly researching the UK job market to understand which sectors match their skills, and staying updated on employment trends, as well as the minimum salary required for visa sponsorship eligibility.

Carefully reviewing job descriptions for sponsorship information and checking if the company offers visa sponsorship or a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Creating a comprehensive LinkedIn profile highlighting educational background, work experience, and professional expertise, and connecting with industry professionals to stay informed about job opportunities.

Tailoring CVs and cover letters for each job application, emphasizing educational accomplishments, relevant work experience, and unique skills.

Attending networking events, career fairs, and industry gatherings to connect with professionals in their field.

Joining student associations or ethnic-based groups for networking opportunities and support.

Utilizing universities’ career resources, such as job fairs, workshops, and counseling sessions.

Developing soft transferable skills through extracurricular activities or part-time jobs.

Seeking volunteer opportunities or internships within the industry to gain hands-on experience and boost resumes.

Maintaining a positive attitude throughout the job search, learning from constructive feedback, and persevering through rejections.