Australians to access UK work visas more easily

Skilled Australians will be able to secure less complicated work visas more quickly in the UK from the end of 2020.

Australians will find it easier to access work visas to the UK.

Skilled Australians will be able to secure less complicated work visas more quickly in the United Kingdom from the end of 2020 according to a UK government White Paper on Immigration released overnight.

Australians, as well as other non-European Union workers, will no longer be subject to capped numbers to work in the UK when the White Paper is implemented in December 2020.

The current requirement of being “highly skilled” to be allowed to work in the UK will be downgraded to “skilled’’. Skilled workers will have to secure a job offer before they arrive and have a minimum qualification of A-Level or above, which is equivalent to the Higher School Certificate.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We will not impose a cap on the numbers of skilled workers, to ensure the brightest and best who wish to come to the UK may do so, and employers have access to the skills that add most value to the UK economy.’’

The British government has not yet defined what ”skilled’’ means, but there is debate within the Cabinet to lower a suggested minimum annual salary of £30,000 (AUD$52,000) so that nurses and agricultural workers can easily migrate to the country.

Mr Javid said: “It’s important to listen to business and find the right threshold … we will consult further on whether it is £30,000 or thereabouts.”

Up until now Australians wanting to work in the UK have faced many barriers, including a monthly quota.

In the White Paper Australia has been classified as a “low risk country’’ and so Australian applicants will be more readily accepted. The paper says work visas will be processed within two to three weeks, a dramatic improvement on current visa waiting times that sometimes extend beyond six months.

Australians will also be able to access lower skilled jobs while they are in the UK, meaning they will not have to leave the country and make return journeys. But low skilled workers can only work for a year in the UK before having to leave for 12 months before reapplying for a further year.

The White Paper also reinforces a budget announcement that Australians will be able to use the e-gates at British airports, minimising the time at immigration.

The White Paper says: ‘’At present, we have a dual system of admitting only highly skilled workers from outside the EU, and workers of all skill levels from the EU. We will replace this with a single route which gives access to highly skilled and skilled workers from all countries. Those coming to the UK on this route will need an employer to sponsor them. We propose to allow individuals who meet the requirements to bring dependants, extend their stay and switch to other routes, and in some cases, settle permanently.’’