Since January 2021, the UK video games industry must operate under a points-based immigration system that requires international hires to secure 70 points based on job offers, skill levels, and English proficiency.
See it on page 3UK game studios must become licensed sponsors to hire international staff, including EU citizens who arrived after December 2020, which involves administrative oversight and potential immigration skills charges.
See it on page 6Applicants can earn additional points toward the 70-point threshold through higher salary levels, roles in shortage occupations, or relevant academic qualifications like STEM PhDs.
See it on page 3Specialized visa pathways exist alongside the Skilled Worker route, including the Global Talent visa for exceptional individuals, the Graduate visa for international students, and routes for innovators and intra-company transfers.
See it on page 4Business travel to the EU, EEA, and Switzerland is now restricted to 90 days within any 180-day period for meetings, with stricter requirements applied to specific professional services.
See it on page 5The government is actively refining the immigration framework, with planned reforms for 2022 and 2023 intended to simplify sponsor applications and license management.
See it on page 7The UK’s new immigration system, effective since January 2021, represents a fundamental shift in how the video games industry manages international talent following the end of free movement between the UK and the European Union. The primary purpose of this framework is to transition to a points-based system that prioritizes specific skill levels, salary thresholds, and job offers, while encouraging domestic investment in training and workforce development.
Under the current rules, applicants must secure 70 points to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, with mandatory requirements including a job offer from an approved sponsor, an appropriate skill level, and English language proficiency. Additional points are available for salary levels, roles in shortage occupations, and relevant academic qualifications, such as PhDs in STEM subjects. Beyond the standard Skilled Worker route, the system incorporates various specialized pathways, including the Global Talent visa for exceptional individuals, the Graduate visa for international students, and specific routes for innovators and intra-company transfers.
Businesses operating within the UK video games sector must navigate the complexities of becoming licensed sponsors to hire international staff, including EU citizens who arrived after December 2020. This process involves administrative oversight, potential immigration skills charges based on company size and contract duration, and adherence to evolving government roadmaps aimed at streamlining sponsorship management. Furthermore, the system introduces new regulations for business travel to the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, where visa-free travel is generally limited to 90 days within a 180-day period for meetings, with more stringent requirements for specific professional services. The government continues to refine these processes, with planned reforms for 2022 and 2023 intended to simplify license management and sponsor applications.
