Budget and Spending Review published, 2022 immigration plans explained

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Home Office has published its 2021 Budget and Spending Review, providing more information on its previously announced 2022 immigration plans.

Scale-up route:

• This visa would give foreign nationals the ability to work and live in the U.K. without having to obtain a sponsorship.
• Scale-up visa applications will be open in spring 2022 to applicants who:
  • Pass the relevant language proficiency requirement.
  • Have a high-skilled job offer from an eligible business with a salary of at least 33,000 British pounds.
• Businesses are considered scale-ups if they can prove an annual average revenue or employment growth rate over a three-year period greater than 20% and have a minimum of ten employees at the start of the three-year period.

Global Talent Network:

• The Global Talent Network intends to bring highly skilled workers to the U.K. in key science and technology sectors by working with businesses, overseas campuses, innovation hubs and research institutions across the globe.
• Through the network, a concierge service will be available to foreign nationals needing support when moving to the U.K.
• The network will launch in 2022 in the San Francisco Bay Area and Boston in the U.S. and in Bangalore, India.

Global Entrepreneur Program:

• The government will maintain its expanded Department for International Trade Global Entrepreneur Program.
• The program will continue to grow throughout 2022 and will bring 100 innovative, highly skilled entrepreneurs to the U.K. each year.

BAL Analysis: The immigration routes and plans are intended to improve the U.K. immigration system and help the U.K. compete in the global labor market. BAL will continue to monitor these routes and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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