Latest Updates From The Home Office

Priority Visa Services 

Yesterday, 30 November, we extended our priority visa services so they are now available to EU nationals holding a biometric passport from an EU country (including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland), and who are submitting applications via the UK Immigration: ID Check app in the following routes: Skilled worker, Health and Care worker, and Student.

Further information on getting a faster decision using priority visa services can be found on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa-settlement.

Skilled Worker Eligibility Checker Tool

Yesterday, 30 November, the Home Office launched a new Skilled Worker Eligibility Checker (SWEC) tool. This interactive tool will enable applicants and employers to immediately see if vacancies are eligible for a Skilled Worker visa. 

The tool can be found on gov.uk: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/skilled-worker-points-calculator and can also be found in the attached partner pack.

PBS Anniversary

Today, 1 December, marks the one-year anniversary since our points-based immigration system’s Skilled Worker route launched.

The Skilled Worker route accounts for 61% of work-related visas granted, and saw the largest increase in visa numbers, up 45,866 or 57%.

This has meant that over the last year, the UK has welcomed thousands of skilled workers including scientists, plumbers, architects, butchers, doctors, creative workers and bricklayers.

We will be issuing a Home Office press statement on the skilled worker route to mark the anniversary and will also be using this opportunity to promote the points-based immigration system via a series of posts on our Home Office LinkedIn account. The assets we will be posting can be found in the attached partner pack.

The skilled worker anniversary is an ideal opportunity to communicate to your stakeholders about the international recruitment opportunities available through the points-based immigration system, along with promoting the new Skilled Worker Eligibility Checker tool, which will be a valuable tool for both employers and applicants.

With changes taking place to UK immigration routes, we recently refreshed our points-based immigration system introduction for employers to ensure employers are aware of how they can recruit talented individuals from around the world. The guide provides an overview of our points-based immigration system work routes and sets out the steps employers should take to access the system.

We continue to encourage employers to first consider domestic recruitment options within the UK, and this guide provides examples of programmes available to employers who are considering hiring employees, offering work experience or upskilling their existing staff.

We will be communicating these updates with employers through our own channels, and we encourage you to share them within your organisation and with your own stakeholders.