August 2nd, 2023 at 07:30 am
The UK Relaxes Visa Rules for Foreign Construction Workers
Construction workers, as described below, are now eligible to immigrate to the UK immediately. For international workers in the construction industry who would want to relocate to the UK, the UK has now loosened its immigration laws.
Workers in this particular sector are not impacted despite the UK’s efforts to reduce net migration because they are needed in the country. Additionally, the UK has made it quite simple for businesses in this industry to hire as many workers who would want to relocate there.
UK Relaxes Visa Rules for Foreign Builders
The government’s “shortage occupation list” now includes bricklayers, plasterers, and other construction vocations, making it simpler for foreign builders to immigrate to the UK amid labor shortages partly brought on by Brexit.
Adding bricklayers and masons, roofers, roof tilers and slaters, carpenters and joiners, plasterers, and other construction professionals to the list of industries where visa limits have been loosened by the UK government. Jobs related to fishing have also been included.
This will “assist in the delivery of key national infrastructure and stimulate growth for related industries,” according to the Home Office. The going rate for those employed in a shortage occupation is 80%; however, they are still eligible for a skilled worker visa and pay a lesser application price. Candidates must have an employer-sponsored job offer and meet English language standards.
Construction workers should be put on the shortage occupation list, according to a recommendation made in March by the independent migration advisory council. Along with healthcare roles, the list already includes engineers, web designers, laboratory technicians, and care workers. Due to this, firms can hire foreign workers for senior care workers starting at £14,880 and lab technicians starting at £15,120.
After promising to curb immigration, Rishi Sunak now risks receiving more criticism from Conservative MPs with this decision. Since 2010, conservative governments have made promises to reduce net migration. A record 606,000 people entered the UK overall last year, up 24% from the year before, and the backlog of asylum requests is also at an all-time high.
Construction Industry Labor Shortages
Since EU individuals can no longer enter the UK without visas as previously, the shortage of workers in the UK’s construction industry has gotten worse. During the Covid-19 outbreak, a lot of EU employees traveled back to their native countries.
Build UK CEO Suzannah Nichol stated: “The construction industry must be able to fill vacancies and promptly resolve shortages surrounding certain roles. We thus applaud the announcement that five new professions will be added to the list of shortage occupations, as this will enable the sector to continue providing the infrastructure—such as homes, hospitals, and schools—that we require.
Labor gaps brought about by Brexit and COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic and the combined effects of Brexit are causing a significant scarcity of construction workers in the UK. Brexit, or the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU), effectively eliminated the reciprocal agreement allowing EU residents to work in the UK and vice versa and put an end to freedom of movement between the UK and EU member states.
One of the first sectors to suffer the effects of the revised UK immigration laws is the construction sector. Before Brexit, more than half of the labor force in the construction industry in Britain came from the EU and other nations. According to data from the UK Office of National Statistics (ONS), between April 2017 and April 2020, that number decreased by 54%.
Industry leaders have raised concerns about the crippling effects of immigration laws on a sector that depends on migrant labor. According to Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, “the construction industry has struggled with skills shortages for some years. However, the impact of the pandemic and the UK’s exit from the EU has intensified the issue.” The issue is made worse by the aging workforce in the UK. Apparently, 10–20% of construction workers born in the country are expected to retire in the next five years.
Temporary Visa Program
London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged the government to establish a temporary visa program for construction workers. Thus, to lessen the crushing twin impact of Brexit and the pandemic on the construction industry.
The government needs to broaden its current, narrow perspective on immigration and acknowledge the looming crisis. Thus, ones already engulfing the most important industries. “Training our people to take on jobs in the construction sector is an admirable aim. However, in the meantime, it requires skilled tradespeople on site to manage the short-term crisis and build a strong recovery.” Khan said in an interview.
The UK also introduced temporary visa discounts for truck drivers and poultry workers last year. The government announced its intentions to issue 45,000 seasonal visas to immigrants working in agriculture in 2024 in May.
Getting a Skill
Learning new skills cannot be emphasized enough. In actuality, once you possess a skill, it remains yours forever. Additionally, you can’t predict when you will get a chance to use a skill that is actually in demand. The Global Talent Visa is now employed by Taylor, artists, and others in that sector to relocate to the UK.
There are now so many advancements in this sector. Now it’s those working in the construction sector. Look at the list;
Roofers
Bricklayers
Masons
Tilers
Carpenters
Plasterers
If you fall into this group, start seeking work and submitting applications to organizations that can sponsor you. In the UK, there are a lot of construction firms with sponsorship licenses.
Visit Newsnowgh.com for the most up-to-date information on changes to visa criteria, prospective paths to obtaining legal residency, and others.