From 1 January 2021, free movement between the EU and UK will end and the new point-based system will come into effect. Under this system, points are assigned for specific skills, qualifications, salaries and shortage occupations. Visas are then awarded to those who gain enough points.
Further, employers all over the UK are expected to reflect this new system in their hiring process.
Skilled African workers
To migrate to the UK from 1 January 2021, any African coming to the UK to work will need to demonstrate that;
They have a job offer from a Home Office approved sponsor
The job offer is at the required skill level – RQF 3 or above (A level and equivalent)
They speak English
In addition;
if they earn more than the required minimum salary threshold they are eligible to make an application
if they earn less than the required minimum salary threshold, but no less than £20,480, they may still be eligible if they can demonstrate that they have a job offer in a specific shortage occupation or a PhD relevant to the job
Identifying whether a job meets the required skill level
All jobs have a corresponding Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. You can use the to identify the relevant SOC code for your job. https://onsdigital.github.io/dp-classification-tools/standard-occupational-classification/ONS_SOC_occupation_coding_tool.html
Characteristics Tradeable Points
Offer of job by approved sponsor No 20
Job at appropriate skill level No 20
Speaks English at required level No 10
Salary of £20,480 to £23,039 Yes 0
Salary of £23,040 to £25,599 Yes 10
Salary of £25,600 or above Yes 20
Job in a shortage occupation as designated by the Advisory Committee Yes 20
Education qualification: PhD in a subject relevant to the job Yes 10
Education qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job Yes 20
A total of 70 points is needed to be able to apply to work in the UK
So if you’re looking to migrate to the UK to work, now is the best time to start preparing, getting all the necessary paperwork in order, like your professionals certificates and licenses, identifying what sectors your skills fall under, and what is required by employers in the UK, which employers high the most from outside the country and so on. This will get you prepared for Jan 1 2021 when the system comes into effect and you can be among the first to apply.
See more details here.
I was going to ask this too. What happens if you lose the job while in the UK? Does that invalidate your visa or something?
This is a good move by the Boris government, he is living upto his promises. But what visa class will this new system fall under? Will the migration be permanent like the Canadian point-based PR program?
To better understand how the system works for skilled workers, imagine you’re a graphics designer wishing to migrate to the UK under the new system;
General salary threshold: £25,600
Job offer 20
RQF 3 or above 20
English language 10
Salary 0
Shortage occupation 20
Total Points 70
So having a job offer gives you 20 points, the job being in the level of RQF 3 or above gives you another 20 points, speaking English gives you 10 points, salary gives you no point, being in a sector with a shortage gives you another 20 and that adds up to a total of 70 points which it the least needed to make the visa application.