The Secretary of state for Home Office Preti Patel has announced a new highly skilled visa route which will come into effect sometime in 2021. The new highly skilled visa within the points-based system will be an unsponsored route and will run alongside the employer-led system. This will give an opportunity to a smaller number of the most highly skilled workers to come to the UK without a job offer.

This route will not open on 1 January 2021. The UK immigration department is exploring proposals for this additional route with stakeholders over the coming year.

We currently know that this route will be capped and will be carefully monitored during the implementation phase. We are expecting further details in due course, so watch this space.

Fill out the UK Visa assessment form to find out if you are eligible.