The UK government’s skilled worker visa scheme has expanded to include a diverse array of roles, some of which may surprise many. According to research by Robert McNeil, a researcher at the University of Oxford’s Centre on Migration, Policy and Society, job categories like canine beauticians, DJs, and Pilates instructors are among the many positions now eligible for work visas. This revelation comes as the UK prepares to publish a white paper aimed at curbing overall migration, with significant implications for the country’s labor market and immigration policy.
Between 2021 and March 2024, the UK issued 334 skilled worker visas for positions under the category of “animal care service occupations.” These included roles such as dog groomers, dog walkers, kennel assistants, and veterinary nursing assistants. Additionally, 167 visas were granted for fitness and wellness-related jobs, including Pilates and yoga instructors, as well as lifestyle coaches.
The list of eligible occupations for skilled worker visas also includes unexpected roles such as costume interpreters (who engage with visitors at historical sites while dressed in period attire) and air travel assistants, covering a wide range of roles from cabin crew to baggage handlers. Other surprising entries include cemetery managers, homeopaths, and cycling instructors, highlighting the diverse nature of what constitutes a “middle-skilled” occupation in post-Brexit Britain.
This expansion of eligible roles comes in response to changes in UK immigration policy following Brexit. McNeil points out that the government’s decision to lower the threshold for “middle-skilled” jobs has allowed a broader range of occupations to qualify for work visas. Prior to Brexit, only graduate-level roles were eligible under the skilled worker visa program. The current definition of “middle-skilled” jobs has thus proven to be far more inclusive, encompassing a variety of occupations not traditionally viewed as skilled in the conventional sense, such as those in animal care and fitness industries.
The UK government’s decision to expand the list of eligible occupations contrasts with its broader goal of reducing net migration, which hit a record high of 906,000 in 2023. Politicians, including Labour leader Keir Starmer, have criticized the Conservative government for its perceived failure to control immigration numbers. As part of Labour’s forthcoming immigration policy, Starmer’s party has promised to tighten visa rules, particularly for low-skilled workers, while maintaining visa pathways for high-skilled professionals in fields like artificial intelligence and life sciences.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has emphasized Labour’s focus on ensuring that visa routes remain open for highly skilled workers, particularly in emerging sectors such as AI, while aiming to reduce overall legal immigration numbers. Home Office sources have clarified that although the list of eligible occupations for skilled worker visas is broad, securing a visa still requires employer sponsorship and meeting a minimum salary threshold of £38,700, or a lower threshold for younger applicants or those in certain higher education roles.
In conclusion, the expansion of eligible occupations for skilled worker visas in the UK reflects both the evolving nature of the labor market and the broader post-Brexit immigration policy adjustments. As the government moves forward with efforts to curb migration, the question remains as to how the country will balance the need for workers in a variety of industries with the pressure to manage overall immigration levels.
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