The UK's New Immigration System
The 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.
