Italy Checklist: Sponsoring Highly Skilled Migrant Visas
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For decades, EU nationals enjoyed unfettered access to live and work in the United Kingdom. But since Brexit, the landscape has dramatically changed, leaving millions of Europeans—and the businesses that employ them—facing an entirely new reality. If you’re an EU citizen looking to relocate to the UK or a business wrestling with global mobility solutions, grasping the post-Brexit rules is crucial. Let’s break down what’s really happening, what challenges you might face, and how you can find a smooth path forward.
Before Brexit, Europe’s single market meant citizens could hop between the UK and mainland Europe for work or study, no questions asked. But those days are over. Since January 2021, EU nationals (excluding Irish citizens, thanks to the Common Travel Area) must navigate the UK’s newly minted points-based immigration system when seeking to enter or remain in the country for work or residency. The shift wasn’t just administrative—it represented a tectonic realignment of migration policy, with significant effects for individuals, families, and companies alike.
As a result, moving between the UK and EU now resembles, in complexity and cost, the process faced by non-EU nationals before Brexit. In 2023, UK government statistics showed a 22% decrease in skilled worker visa applications from EU nationals, underscoring that the new rules are fundamentally reshaping migration patterns.
Navigating the post-Brexit landscape might feel a bit like learning a new language—but understanding the available routes is the key to cracking the code. Here’s the lay of the land:
The Skilled Worker Route: At the heart of the new system is the Skilled Worker visa, which replaced the previous Tier 2 system. EU nationals must now have a job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor, meet minimum skills and salary thresholds (£26,200 or the ‘going rate’ for their job, whichever is higher), and demonstrate English proficiency. In 2023, over 18,000 Skilled Worker visas were granted to EU citizens, reflecting a growing adjustment to the system.
Global Business Mobility: There’s also a series of tailored routes ideal for corporates handling employee relocations. These include Senior or Specialist Worker visas (for intra-company transfers), Graduate Trainee pathways, and the Secondment Worker route. Each has specific requirements like sponsorship, assignment letters, and skill levels—making the process more structured, but also more predictable for planning global mobility.
Graduate & Student Paths: Recent EU graduates from UK universities can stay for up to two years (three for PhDs) under the Graduate Route, providing valuable time to transition into skilled roles or further studies. Students continue to face the same points-based assessment, but the continued popularity speaks to the UK’s lasting appeal.
Family, Ancestry, and Settlement Schemes: Some EU nationals may still be eligible under family visas or, for those resident before January 2021, through the EU Settlement Scheme. The latter closed to new applicants, but those granted “pre-settled” or “settled” status retain vital rights.
Numbers paint a telling picture. According to the Office for National Statistics, net migration from the EU to the UK dropped from 230,000 in 2015 to just 40,000 in 2022. Meanwhile, applications from non-EU countries have overtaken those from the EU for the first time, reflecting a more global and less Eurocentric approach to talent acquisition.
For businesses, this means two things: First, relying solely on EU nationals to fill gaps is no longer as straightforward. Second, companies with strong global mobility infrastructure are better at adapting, ensuring compliance, and minimizing disruption. That’s where innovative solutions like xpath.global are making a difference by offering integrated platforms to manage immigration, relocation, and workforce strategy so employees and employers alike can stay ahead of constant changes.
The sudden policy shift hasn’t come without pain. Both EU citizens and UK employers have voiced concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, extra costs (government fees for skilled worker visas can top £1,400 per person), and longer lead times for onboarding staff. SMEs without in-house immigration teams are especially vulnerable—often grappling with legal uncertainty and recruitment setbacks.
Take the case of a mid-size London tech company that relied heavily on French and German engineers. Pre-Brexit, they’d take a “hire first, paperwork later” approach. Now, according to their HR director, “We allocate 10-12 weeks just for visa processing and legal checks. It changes our business planning entirely.”
This new reality means strategic workforce planning and robust global mobility partnerships are not mere “nice-to-haves”—they’re essential survival tools.
How do leaders and individuals respond? Smart employers are turning to global mobility platforms like xpath.global, which streamline everything from compliance and document management to assignment tracking and vendor network access. This combination of automation, expertise, and localized knowledge helps alleviate the pain points of post-Brexit migration.
For EU nationals, being proactive matters. Gathering documentation early, understanding the specific route that best fits one’s profile, and seeking targeted assistance—these steps can make the process much less daunting. Many find success using tech-driven relocation services available through platforms such as xpath.global, which connect users to trusted immigration lawyers, relocation experts, and housing providers worldwide.
The post-Brexit world demands adaptability. Employers must future-proof their talent pipelines by integrating flexible, compliant, and data-driven mobility strategies. Individuals looking to build careers or lives in the UK must become savvy navigators of the new system, leveraging every tool at their disposal.
If you’re facing these challenges, you’re not alone. The right expertise and technology—such as the combined offering of global intelligence, localized experts, and digital tools provided by xpath.global—can make all the difference in turning complexity into opportunity.
Do EU nationals still need visas to work in the UK?
Yes, except for Irish citizens, all EU nationals need to apply for a visa under the points-based immigration system if relocating to the UK for work after Brexit.
What is the EU Settlement Scheme?
It’s a scheme for EU nationals already living in the UK before 31 December 2020. No new applicants are accepted, but those with pre-settled or settled status retain work/living rights.
How can businesses simplify compliance for relocating EU staff?
By partnering with global mobility solution providers like xpath.global, compliance, documentation, and relocation challenges can be streamlined into a single, efficient process.
Are there any exceptions to the rules?
Irish citizens and certain family members of UK residents may have special rights under separate agreements. Everyone else must follow the new routes.
Where can I get help with post-Brexit relocation?
Joining a global mobility platform such as xpath.global gives access to up-to-date legal information, expert guidance, and tailored relocation support, all in one place.
Ready to transform your mobility program? Explore xpath.global’s solutions.
Italy Checklist: Sponsoring Highly Skilled Migrant Visas
Grab a copy of a guide to international employee relocation
View E-book