Upcoming Changes to UK Immigration Rules

The UK Home Office announced forthcoming changes to the UK’s Immigration Rules, which will take effect on April 6, 2022. These changes mainly involve amending the naming of existing immigration routes and launching a new work visa category to simplify the Immigration Rules and provide clarity to businesses and workers.

  • Senior or Specialist Worker (replaces the Intra-Company Transfer route): for senior managers or specialist employees who are being assigned to a UK business linked to their employer overseas. The requirements will be like the Intra-Company Transfer route however the minimum salary threshold will be £42,400 instead of the previous £41,500.
  • Graduate Trainee (replaces the Intra-Company Transfer Graduate Trainee Route): for workers on a graduate training course leading to a senior management or specialist position.
  • UK Expansion Worker (replaces the Sole Representative provisions in the Representative of an Overseas Business route): for senior managers or specialist employees who are being assigned to the UK to undertake work related to a business’s expansion to the UK.
  • Service Supplier (Replaces the contractual service supplier and independent professional provisions in the Temporary Work-International Agreement route): for contractual service suppliers’ employer by an overseas service provider and self-employer independent professionals based overseas that need to undertake an assignment in the UK to provide services covered by one of the UK’s international trade commitments.
  • Secondment Worker (new route): for workers being seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment by their employer overseas.
Erickson Insights

Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.