Job site Indeed has revealed that Britain’s post-Brexit immigration system has made the country more appealing to foreign workers when compared to the European Union. Since the immigration overhaul in 2021, there has been a significant increase in interest in British job postings from international candidates.
According to Indeed, views of UK job listings on their website from people outside of Britain have risen by 142% since early 2021. This surge is higher than any point since 2017. The British Government implemented a new point-based immigration system in January 2021, making it easier for individuals from outside the EU to work in the UK.
The new system evaluates people based on various criteria, such as language proficiency and job offers. Additional points can be acquired by having a PhD, earning a high salary, or working in sectors with labor shortages. To qualify for a visa, individuals need to reach a score of 70.
Indeed reported that over 5 out of every 100 views on their website’s UK job listings now come from foreigners, compared to around 3 out of every 100 prior to the pandemic. The types of jobs that overseas workers are interested in have also shifted. Higher-skilled roles, such as software development, are now more appealing to non-European workers, as opposed to the lower-skilled roles that were previously filled by European workers.
Since the implementation of the new immigration policies, the British Government has expanded the list of shortage occupations. This has made it easier for software developers, care workers, and even ballet dancers to immigrate to the UK. However, the largest increase in interest has been observed in social workers and home carers. More than 9 out of every 100 views on job postings in these fields are from overseas workers, compared to about 2 out of every 100 before the pandemic. Notably, individuals from Nigeria, India, and South Africa have shown strong interest in these roles.
Conversely, interest in jobs within the EU from overseas workers has remained stagnant at around 3 out of every 100 views. Despite the post-pandemic rebound, the EU is still struggling to establish itself as a top destination for foreign job seekers. In 2022, net immigration to Britain reached a record high of 606,000 people, primarily driven by arrivals from outside the EU.