UK's PBI System Controversial Visa Changes: 8 Effects on Potential Immigrants

Only a few could predict the changes we have seen the UK Visa undergo under the post-Brexit PBI system; even fewer could foresee how immense the effects could be on the economy of the UK and the rest of the world. During the Brexit negotiations, there were several agendas, but Immigration stood out as one of the most crucial. As a result, on January 1, 2021, the UK introduced a new Post-Brexit Points-Based Immigration (PBI) System.

The Post-Brexit Points-Based Immigration System came with many significant changes that still affect the Immigration of EU and non-EU foreigners alike. The freedoms and privileges enjoyed by EU residents, including their right to work and study in the UK without a visa, are revoked under this arrangement.
Now, EU and non-EU nationals must meet the same visa requirements to study and work in the UK. Also, applicants for immigration must score a minimum of 70 points based on a variety of factors, including their education, language skills, employment history, and earnings.

Effects of the UK’s post-Brexit PBI System on Potential EU Immigrants

Effects of UK's PBI System on Potential EU Immigrants

The UK’s post-Brexit Points-Based Immigration system has significant effects on EU potential immigrants and has remarkably seen a massive drop in the number of recorded EU citizen immigrants, according to the Economic Observatory, due to the following reasons below:

End of free movement: EU nationals are no longer afforded the same freedom of movement as they were when the UK was a member of the European Union. This means that EU nationals are subject to the same immigration rules and requirements as non-EU nationals.
Eligibility criteria: Under the new system, potential EU and non-EU immigrants must meet specific eligibility criteria to enter and work in the UK. The eligibility criteria include language proficiency, education level, and job skills. The system assigns points for meeting these criteria, and applicants must achieve specific points to be eligible for a Visa.
Access to lower-skilled jobs: Low-skilled workers may find it more challenging to get a visa under the points-based system, which focuses on highly skilled individuals. This may have an impact on EU nationals seeking lower-skilled employment in the UK.
Salary thresholds: Certain EU residents may require assistance to meet the requirements under the new system, which includes salary thresholds for potential immigrants. This might have an impact on EU nationals seeking lower-paying employment in the UK.
Visa fees: EU citizens subject to the new system will have to pay Visa fees, which could add to their financial burden when trying to enter the UK.

Effects of the UK’s post-Brexit Points-Based Immigration (PBI) System on Potential non-EU Immigrants

Effects of UK's PBI System on Potential non-EU Immigrants

According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, non-EU immigrants saw an astronomical rise from an average of 309,000 quarterly in June 2020 to over 700,000 quarterly in June 2022. Here are some reasons why the number of non-EU immigrants in the UK has risen since its introduction.

Flexibility: Non-EU immigrants can enter the UK using the adaptable Points-Based System for various reasons, including working or studying. As a result, more non-EU immigrants can now satisfy the requirements and enter the UK.
Demand for skilled workers: The UK has a high demand for skilled workers in various industries, such as technology, healthcare, and finance. The Points-Based System allows employers to sponsor non-EU workers with the necessary skills to fill these job vacancies.
Implementation of New and Revised Visa Types: To draw highly qualified professionals and talented students to work and study in the UK, the new immigration system provides new types of Visas and changes the requirements of some of the existing ones.

New and Revised Visa Types

Skilled Worker Visa: This visa is the most popular option for individuals looking to work in the UK; it replaced the Tier 2 (General) Visa and required applicants to receive 70 points out of a possible 100 in a points-based scoring system that takes into account their education, salary, and English language proficiency. Your best chance of obtaining all the required skill levels to obtain this Visa is through RKY Careers. Rky Career also offers an alternative to the Skilled Worker Visa, which includes innovator and global talent Visas in addition to polishing your professional application deliverables, such as your CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile.
Intra-Company Transfer Visa: This is for employees being transferred to a UK branch of their current employer. There are two categories: long-term and short-term.
Health and Care Visa: This is for health and care professionals, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics. Applicants must score 70 points and meet specific requirements related to their profession.
Graduate Visa: This Visa allows international students who have completed a degree at a UK university to work or look for employment in the country for two years.
Start-up Visa: This is for entrepreneurs who want to start a business in the UK for the first time. Applicants must have an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea and be endorsed by a UK-approved endorsing body. Send us a message via any of our Social media accounts or the RKY Careers website to get started.
Innovator Visa: This Visa is for experienced businesspeople who want to establish a business in the UK. Applicants must have at least £50,000 in investment funds and be endorsed by a UK-approved endorsing body. We are available at RKY Careers to guide you through this process through our partner companies. Send us a message now to get started.
Global Talent Visa: This visa is intended for people identified as leaders or future leaders in one of the disciplines of science, engineering, humanities, medical, digital technology, arts, or culture. Applicants must receive endorsements from an organisation recognised in the UK. RKY Careers offers skill development courses to hone your abilities in your desired field or profession and support individuals transitioning into new career paths in the UK and all over the world. RKY Careers courses include the following:
Frontier Worker Permit: This permit allows EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who work in the UK but live elsewhere to continue working in the UK after Brexit.

RKY Careers believe this is a rare opportunity for non-EU nationals to join the hundreds of thousands who are moving to the UK by taking advantage of any of our services to show off their skill sets to potential employers, enrol in and receive certification from our skill development programmes, or take advantage of our career advisory services that will put you far ahead of your professional peers. For further information on the UK Visa Types and how to get your Visa, visit the UK Government’s official website.