The government has announced a new package of measures as part of its plan to deliver its promised UK Modern Industrial Strategy following the groundbreaking May 2025 Immigration White Paper. The government hopes that by implementing its strategy, the UK will become a world-leading destination for international talent, and that changes to the UK’s migration policy will make it easier for highly skilled entrepreneurs, researchers and ambitious investors to come to the UK. The new announcements clarify the government’s planned policy changes and could also alter the considerations businesses and individuals face when deciding to recruit international talent or whether to relocate to the UK.
What measures have been announced?
The new measures have been created to make the UK more attractive to exceptional talent and to allow businesses to retain this talent more easily. Briefly, the announced measures are:
- reimbursing visa fees in a limited and targeted manner – this will apply to those with skills that will further the government’s technological, research and development goals, including those with skills in the AI, quantum and semiconductor sectors.
- expanding the Global Talent Visa to make it more accessible to top talent – the intention will be to expand the visa to make it simpler and more accessible to those in industry and within the relevant academic or research appointments to obtain their visa.
- Skilled Worker visa route – shortage occupations that are crucial to the delivery of the Strategy are temporarily exempt from the planned increase to the skills threshold for the Skilled Worker visa route. The exempt occupations currently listed on the Temporary Shortage List (TSL) will be reviewed in spring 2026.
- launching a referral route for fast tracking of sponsorship licences – this will apply to high-growth and high-potential firms supported by the Global Talent Taskforce to attract talented individuals to the UK.
- providing new government-funded scholarships – these scholarships will be made available to International Mathematical Olympiad gold medallists and will also include internships with world-leading laboratories and teams.
- doubling the resourcing of the UK’s Global Talent Taskforce – the government intends to bring in specialist private sector head-hunting expertise.
What does this mean for businesses?
For businesses involved in one of the eight Industrial Strategy sectors deemed to have the greatest potential for growth by the government (including the Clean Energy Industries, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services and Life Sciences), these measures mean that they can obtain more international talent in a more efficient and streamlined manner, such as applying for sponsorship licenses through the fast-track route.
The new measures also mean that businesses may wish to work closer with the Global Talent Taskforce, who will assist the government in attracting world-class talent to relocate to the UK, building a wider network of extremely talented individuals who could fit within a business’s development plans.
Although the government has yet to publish an official timetable confirming when the measures will be finalised and take effect, it’s advised that businesses take the pre-emptive step of reviewing whether they may fall within one of the key sectors of the Industrial Strategy. Businesses should also keep these new measures in mind when developing their business plan for the upcoming financial year, especially where the retention of international talent will form a key part of the business strategy. Businesses may also want to consider organising training for its staff on applying for sponsorship licenses and identifying individuals who may be eligible for a Global Talent visa.
In addition, if a business is outside of the UK and is currently conducting groundbreaking research within the focused sectors, this may be the ideal time to consider whether a UK branch may be an essential next step.
Lastly, for those businesses who are crucial to the Strategy’s delivery, but suffer from a shortage of skilled workers not currently listed on the TSL, it’ll be important to keep a close eye on the TSL to see whether roles within your business type will be listed. Then, those businesses can assess whether their business plans could include an increased focus on hiring international talent.
How does this affect individuals?
For individuals deciding on whether to relocate to the UK, and who are in possession of the desired skills in one of the Strategy’s key sectors, the introduction of these new measures is intended to provide a further incentive in choosing to relocate.
For exceptional researchers, entrepreneurs and future leaders, these measures provide new opportunities through the reform of the Global Talent visa. The visa is being expanded to include a wider range of fellowships, including the new Turing AI fellowships, which are providing funding of £25 million a year to build a team and conduct groundbreaking research in AI. The overall aim will be to ensure that for those working in relevant fields, it will be easier to obtain your visa and work in the UK.
There will also be a Global Talent fund of £54 million aiming to bring world-class researchers and their teams to the UK. For those with skills that further the government’s development, research and technological goals, there will be a limited and targeted reimbursement of visa fees, making the UK a more attractive country for relocating to.
The announcement of new government-funded scholarships and internships also provide new opportunities for International Mathematical Olympiad gold winners looking relocate to the UK and to gain experience within world-class laboratories.
To further attract individuals, a new ‘talent pathway’ campaign has been launched by the government, which suggests other visa routes in addition to those mentioned within the new measures. These include:
- the Innovator Founder visa: for individuals setting up a business in the UK that has been approved by an endorsing Innovator Founder body.
- the High Potential Individual visa: for graduates from eligible international universities looking to work in the UK.
How can we help?
If you have any queries on whether your business is included in the Industrial Strategy’s focus areas, please get in touch with our Business Immigration team. We can advise on what these new measures may mean for your development ambitions and business plan, including the recruitment and retainment of exceptional international talent.
If you are an individual considering relocating to the UK and have outstanding queries regarding your eligibility to do so, or you have made the decision to relocate to the UK under the Global Talent or Skilled Worker visa, please get in touch with your query.
