In its Spring budget migration announcements, the Home Office has revealed plans to adjust the rules for business visitor visas for UK Immigration. Additionally, the construction industry will see changes with the inclusion of construction workers on the Shortage Occupation List. The Ukraine Visa Scheme will also offer other languages for its users.
The modifications, expected in autumn 2023, will expand the range of short-term business operations that can be conducted for periods of up to six months. The government will review permissible paid engagements and account for a larger variety of actions associated with discussions with trading partners. Furthermore, non-visa national business travellers from the EU or the US will also be subject to adjustments.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is set to conclude its examination of the list of shortage occupations later this year. Recently, an interim study on the hospitality and construction industries was released, revealing that 6% and 7% of all employment is in the construction and hotel industries, respectively. Currently, self-employment accounts for 30% of all construction jobs. However, self-employed individuals are ineligible for the skilled worker visa option.
Before the summer parliamentary break, the Government proposed adding five job titles in the construction industry to the list of shortage occupations. This would allow employers to pay employees in these positions 20% less than the required minimum wage for sponsorship, which is £20,960 instead of £26,200. Second, the eligible roles are bricklayers and masons, roofers, roof tilers and slaters, carpenters and joiners, plasters and dryliners. Additionally, construction and building trades not elsewhere classified.
However, the application fee remains £479, or £719 if extending a visa from within the UK. Employers will still be subject to the Immigration Skills Charge. This is up to £1,000 pa. Fluency in English is also a requirement.
The Illegal Migration Bill, which involves building detention facilities in the UK and making substantial payments to the Rwandan government, may appear expensive. However, if removals do not take place, assistance expenses might never materialize. As the backlog steadily shrinks, the Home Office may save money on hotel expenses.
It remains to be seen whether the addition of these positions to the Shortage Occupation List will result in an increase in the number of construction workers choosing to apply for Skilled Worker visas. Evellyn Geemon at Taylor Hampton Solicitors explains that many may still struggle with the English language requirement, but modifications to the business visitor visa requirement may be more welcoming. She goes on to comment that “The autumn statement of revisions to immigration laws will provide more clarity”. For more information contact Evellyn on 02074275970.
