Three things graduate recruiters need to know about UK immigration

As we move ever closer to the end of 2018, employers are starting to consider what they will do to succeed in 2019 and beyond. And, as part of that planning process, companies are currently putting considerable effort into finalising their graduate programmes.

But what do they need to consider? What are the key issues they need to keep in mind – both in terms of people from EU and non-EU countries – to ensure the process is as smooth as possible? With Brexit negotiations still up in the air, is it possible to effectively plan for a future that is so unclear?

We’re here to try and make things a little bit clearer.

Key considerations

1. The next two years WILL bring change

The problem, of course, is that it has not been declared what these changes to UK immigration will actually be. The government has been very clear that freedom of movement from and into the EU will stop, which could result in graduates thinking that seeking employment in the UK is risky. Unfortunately, it is difficult to dispel these fears currently.

2. Irish nationals are not affected by Brexit

There has been a lot of talk about whether there will be a hard border or soft border between The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and while this issue looks set to rumble on for many more months, all graduate recruiters need to know is that Irish nationals will not need to reapply for settled/pre-settled status.

3. Sponsoring a work permit for non-EEA graduates is relatively simple

Although it may sound complex, the process itself is actually quite straightforward. There are numerous concessions afforded to new graduates emerging from universities within the UK which lead to it being simple for employers to offer Tier 2 General sponsorship. For example, when handing a work permit sponsorship to a graduate, an exemption set up by the the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) results in there being no obligation on the part of the employer to justify why employment is being offered to a non-EEA national instead of a worker that is already resident in that country.

More to know

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. When it comes to employing graduates who are not from the UK, there are inevitably going to be certain hurdles to overcome, especially given the current political climate. However, with our help, we can ensure everything is above board and benefits all parties.