The United Kingdom is facing a shortage of professionals in various sectors. This has attracted not only university students but also people seeking employment, regardless of their academic qualifications. Many are seeking financial advancement, the possibility of building wealth, and a better life for themselves and their families.
Brexit significantly changed the migration landscape. As many Europeans chose to leave the country, numerous job opportunities arose. This led the government to relax the rules for work visas.
Ms. Livia Suassuna, a Brazilian lawyer specializing in immigration law at the MartinsCosta Immigration office, emphasizes: “Many non-Europeans have chosen the UK for studies, especially due to lower costs compared to studying in other countries like the USA, and because the government introduced the ‘Graduate Visa.’ This visa allows individuals to work in the country for two years after completing an undergraduate or postgraduate course in the UK, and it allows them to bring their dependents with the right to work and use the public healthcare system,” emphasizes Ms. Livia.
This dynamic has increased the number of students and, consequently, immigrants of all nationalities, even with the UK outside the European Union. Furthermore, the British job market offers a wide range of opportunities.
Comparative data from 2019 to 2022:
Source: Entry clearance visa applications and outcomes
Click:
According to the data:
• The ‘Worker Visa’ showed a 161% increase, rising from 63,000 in 2019 to 166,000 in 2022.
• The ‘Temporary Worker’ (voluntary work visa) saw an increase of 72%, with numbers going from 40,000 in 2019 to 70,000 in 2022.
• The ‘Investor, Business & Development’ visa (for investors and business development) increased from 2,780 in 2019 to 3,843 in 2022.
Ms. Livia also highlights the resilience of Brazilians: “Despite some language barriers, Brazilians are determined and adapt quickly, envisioning a better quality of life.”
Currently, companies like Amazon, BairesDev, Google, Meta, Natixis, Bayer, Nokia, Syngenta, and Benteler are the main employers. Many of them finance visa costs and assist employees in moving to the UK. Opportunities are abundant, especially for those with experience and higher education, as well as proficiency in English.
Livia also points out the sectors most in need of labor: healthcare (nurses and caregivers) and technology/sciences, followed by the industry and civil engineering – with demand for specialists in highways, oil and gas, sanitation, and structural engineering.
“The British government has encouraged hiring in these sectors, offering benefits to employees and their dependents, including access to public education and healthcare. Additionally, spouses and dependents also have expanded work rights,” concludes the immigration law specialist.
