Since January 2020, when the UK officially declared its withdrawal from the European Union, many things have changed regarding foreigners seeking jobs within the UK’s recruitment market. New immigration and visa systems were introduced to replace the old ones in order to keep track of and manage the inflow of foreign workers into the UK. However, the post-Brexit landscape ushered in new rules and regulations, presenting opportunities and a host of challenges to foreigners willing to work in the UK. This article looks at the main laws, limitations on certain jobs, and issues faced by overseas workers in the UK after Brexit.
New Immigration Rules for Foreign Workers
One of the most basic changes to UK recruitment following Brexit is the new points-based immigration system. It treats workers coming from EU and non-EU countries on an equal platform, thus removing the preferential treatment previously enjoyed by EU nationals. In the new points-based system, for one to get a work visa, a foreign worker must meet the following criteria:
Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor: The job offer should be from an employer approved as a UK sponsor. This ascertains that the responsibility of clearance of foreign workers will rest with the employer and that it also undertakes responsibilities in following immigration rules and requirements.
The offered job should be at the requisite skill level, which is at least RQF level 3, equivalent to A-level qualifications. This consequently means that many low-skilled jobs are no longer open for foreign workers unless they qualify through other schemes.
Salary Threshold: Any foreign worker must be offered at least a minimum annual salary of £ 26,200 or £10.75 per hour to qualify for a work visa. However, this threshold may be lower for specific shortages or younger workers.
English Requirement: Workers must be able to show their proficiency in English to work in the UK. They can show this by taking an approved English language test or having a structured academic qualification taught in English.
Other Factors: Additional points are awarded for shortage occupation, PhD held by the employee, and salary higher than the threshold. An applicant must score a minimum 70 points for visa qualification.
Jobs That Foreign Workers Cannot Take
Where some jobs are now restricted to foreigners due to the points-based immigration system and the tendency of the government for high-skilled roles following Brexit, jobs which foreigners could have less access to include:
Low-skilled Jobs: Under the new regime, foreign workers cannot easily fill low-skilled jobs in service industries, retail, and agriculture. Special schemes operate in shortage sectors, including the seasonal agricultural worker visa, but these are temporary and numerically limited.
Public Sector Employment: The majority of foreign workers, especially those from outside the EU, cannot be employed in the public sector, for instance, in armed forces and national security or police employment, simply because such jobs are reserved for British nationals or permanent residents due to security concerns.
UK Qualification Requirements: Some professional posts in the health care or legal field may require specific UK qualifications or professional body memberships where it could be challenging for a foreign worker to qualify without UK-based education or certification.
Challenges for Foreign Workers after Brexit
The following are considered the post-Brexit recruitment market challenges for foreign workers:
Visa Complexity and Cost: Application procedures for UK work visas are extremely complicated and expensive. The fees to apply for the Skilled Worker visa include a visa application charge of £610 to £1,408, depending on the period of stay and occupation. Apart from that, the applicant has to pay for an Immigration Health Surcharge-£624 per year, which covers entitlements to the NHS.
Fewer Opportunities for Low-Skilled Workers: The new system discussed above is skewed toward skilled workers. This drastically reduces the opportunities available for foreigners who may seek either low-skilled or entry-level jobs. Sectors reliant on foreign labor, such as hospitality and care work, have already been impacted because of this policy.
Language and Cultural Barriers: While most foreign workers can speak good English, for some, this may not easily be fulfilled at the formal level. Besides, cultural barriers relating to job work and the way that employment is handled within the UK may be problematic, particularly for those non-EU workers who are unfamiliar with the British system.
Job Competition: Changes in immigration rules put more competition for foreign workers to fill-in jobs that become available. Having skilled roles at the top of the agenda means that foreigners will have to show some certain qualification or expertise that will make them compete not only with domestic candidates but also with other international applicants.
Creating a Blank UK-Formatted CV Template
Most importantly, when applying for jobs in the UK, it is very important to have a professional-looking UK-standard CV. Below is a sample blank CV template for a foreign worker who would like to enter the UK job market. It should include the following sections: Contact Information: Full name, email address, phone number, and location. Visa status or work eligibility may also be relevant to mention here.
Personal Statement: A brief paragraph about the individual’s background, experience, and career goals.
Work Experience: Description of your employment history; however, you must emphasise your achievements rather than job responsibilities. If you are an overseas worker, it is of utmost importance that you mention the transferable skills related to the UK job market.
Education and Qualifications: Mention the history of your education and other professional qualifications. Foreign workers may need to add in the UK qualification equivalents if the UK authorities have assessed their qualifications.
Skills: Mention your language skills, technical skills and other appropriate competencies for the post you have applied for.
References: This is optional but it would be useful to have at least one referee who will relate to your professional experience.
Conclusion
The job market has changed a lot for foreign workers in the UK with Brexit. The new point-based immigration system favors skilled workers over others and is really restrictive in allowing access to low-skilled employment, creating many barriers for people who wish to come to the country to work. The highly qualified professionals are welcome; however, the process will overwhelm most of them amidst the challenge of knowing where to begin with an application for a visa, meeting salary thresholds, and adjusting to the new regulations. Understanding the new rules and preparing a strong UK-standard CV are only a few of the steps that will help foreign workers break into the UK job market in this new era.