If you are contemplating moving to the UK in 2021 for work, one of the first items to check is whether you will be able to secure employment. The UK immigration system requires that foreign workers have a sufficient level of qualifications and are being offered an appropriate salary in order to be able to secure a sponsored role in the UK. The immigration system has recently undergone a considerable amount of change as a result of the UK’s departure from the EU. The existing Tier 2 work visa route, as of January 2021, when the UK comes to the end of the current transition arrangement with the EU, is being replaced by the Skilled Worker route. This will apply not only to citizens of countries outside of the EU, but it will also apply to those within the EU. In this article, we will explain how EU and non-EU citizens can qualify for a skilled sponsored role in the UK in 2021.
The New Skilled Worker Route For 2021
The guidance on the new Skilled Worker route states, “From January 2021, the job you’re offered will need to be at a required skill level of RQF3 or above (equivalent to A level). You’ll also need to be able to speak English and be paid the relevant salary threshold by your sponsor. This will either be the general salary threshold of £25,600 or the going rate for your job, whichever is higher”.
Like the existing system, applicants for the new Skilled Worker route will need to be sponsored by a licensed employer. At present, there are just over 32,000 sponsor license holders in the UK, each of whom have permission to take on sponsored workers from outside of the UK.
Unlike the existing Tier 2 system, applicants with RQF level 3 qualifications (the equivalent of A-Level in the UK) will be able to apply for a work visa. At present, applicants need to have a degree or higher to apply. Another change to the new 2021 system is that applicants will need to score sufficient points. Points (of which a minimum of 70 are required) are awarded for having:
- a job offer from an approved UK sponsor – 20 points
- a job which is at the appropriate skill level – 20 points
- sufficient English language skills – 10 points
You must score all of the points above in order to be considered. Beyond these mandatory points, up to 20 points are available depending on the salary being offered. Points are also available if:
- you are a Ph.D. in a subject relevant to the job – 10 points
- you are a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job – 20 points
- your job in a shortage occupation (as designated by the MAC) – 20 points
- you are a new entrant to the labour market (as designated by the MAC) – 20 points
Do I Have The Necessary Qualifications To Apply For A Job In The UK?
If you do not have a qualification at RQF 3 or higher, you will not be able to apply for a job in the UK as a foreign worker. The Home Office has now restricted access to roles requiring lower skills. To check which qualification level applies to your occupation, have a look at the Shortage Occupation List. This lists a wide range of occupations (with their associated SOC code), and the skill level required (including PhD, RQF6, RQF4, and RQF3). A sample of each of these is as follows:
PhD level roles include:
- 2111 Chemical scientists
- 2112 Biological scientists and biochemists
- 2113 Physical scientists
- 2114 Social and humanities scientists
RQF6 level roles include:
- 1115 Chief executives and senior officials
- 1121 Production managers and directors in manufacturing
- 1122 Production managers and directors in construction
- 1123 Production managers and directors in mining and energy
RQF4 level roles include:
- 1211 Managers and proprietors in agriculture and horticulture
- 1213 Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services
- 1241 Health care practice managers
- 1242 Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
And RQF3 level roles include:
- 7220 Customer service managers and supervisors
- 1162 Managers and directors in storage and warehousing
- 1190 Managers and directors in retail and wholesale
- 1221 Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors
How Do I Know If My Qualifications Are Equivalent To RQF Level 3 Or Above?
The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is a UK standard for categorising qualifications based on the size of the award and the level of challenge or difficulty. If you are unsure of the equivalent UK qualification for one you hold from another country, you can apply to the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC) for an assessment.
For those in the EU, the RQF is similar to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). RQF level 3 is equivalent to EQF level 4, RQF level 4 and 5 are equivalent to EQF level 5, RQF level 6 and EQF level 6 are the same, and PhDs are EQF level 8.
Final Words
With the lowering of the salary threshold, the removal of the need to complete a resident labour market test (a lengthy check employers currently need to complete to verify no settled worker is available to do a particular job), and the elimination of caps on how many work visas which can be issued, it is likely that securing a Skilled Worker visa in the UK in 2021 will be less difficult than it currently is. If you need to discuss your plans and eligibility, speak to an immigration Solicitor who will be able to guide you through the process. We wish you all the best in securing a job in the UK in 2021.
