The Youth Mobility Scheme allows employers to access younger workers from countries such as India and Iceland for two years. With skills shortages afflicting critical sectors, now might be the time for the government to consider a youth visa agreement with the EU.
The long-running HGV driver crisis and its recent knock-on effects on the UK’s fuel and food supply chains have prompted the government to issue 10,500 temporary visas to fill skill and staff shortages in these sectors.
While we hopefully will have turkeys on our tables for Christmas, it is unlikely that this post-Brexit immigration giveaway will solve longer-term structural problems in the road transport sector and our supply chains. Shortages in this industry are now endemic in many countries, and a combination of poor working conditions together with the memories of huge delays at the UK border in 2020 mean it is unlikely that the promise of a short-term visa will lure many drivers to these shores.
The 30,000 visas available for Seasonal Agricultural Workers, many of whom come from the EU, does not even touch the sides of what this sector needs. And if that wasn’t enough for the government, the hospitality industry has now come out to push for bartenders, chefs and sommeliers to be included in the shortage occupation list.
The debacle throws a spotlight on the government’s failure to plan for this huge adjustment to the labour market. It was clear that the end of free movement would have obvious consequences for sectors with low wages, tight margins, and existing staffing shortages. The outcomes we are seeing, while not entirely predictable, could at least have been foreseen as one of a range of consequences for shutting the UK off from lower skilled workers. While the new immigration system did lower the overall skills threshold for Skilled Worker sponsored visas, it was always going to keep out the very workers that UK employers are crying out for now.
While all this has unfolded, the UK has quietly signed youth mobility agreements with India (May) and Iceland (July). From January 2022, nationals of these countries will join the ranks of existing beneficiaries from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
These Youth Mobility Scheme visas offer those aged 18-30 a one-off visa that enables them to work in any occupation for up to two years (with the notable exception of being a professional sportsperson). India is the one exception in that visa holders must have a degree or three years’ skilled work experience. Visa holders need to leave the UK at the end of the visa unless they can switch into a long-term work visa.
So why not agree youth mobility visas with EU countries to alleviate some of the UK’s current labour market challenges, while at the same time offering the possibility of cultural exchanges that Brexit has cut off?
“Valuable route”
In response to a parliamentary question, the immigration minister Kevin Foster responded this week: “Our Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) agreements provide a valuable route for mutual cultural exchange and are not simply a one-way route for recruiting labour from overseas. We will therefore not add nations to the YMS route unilaterally."
“We are open to negotiating YMS arrangements with other countries and territories, including the EU or nations within it. However, as each YMS is subject to a bilateral, reciprocal agreement which also provides benefit to UK Nationals, with the detail negotiated and agreed between the relevant parties, we are unable to disclose the status of ongoing negotiations with partner countries as they occur.”
There is nothing preventing either the UK or each EU Member State from signing these bilateral agreements. EU countries regularly sign bilateral reciprocal youth mobility visa agreements with third countries, as seen with the revamped Italy/Canada agreement signed last year. This offers greater professional career development work opportunities and the possibility to apply for the 12 month visa twice. The UK/Iceland agreement is the first with a European (albeit only EEA) country which will allow up to 1,000 young Icelanders a year to come to the UK to work for two years.
Youth mobility won’t solve the UK’s current labour shortages. The government won’t want to be seen to be rushing to sign these agreements for fear they could be miscast as a knee-jerk reaction to our current woes. But the sooner they do agree them, the better.
This article was first published by Personnel Today on 4 October 2021 (Subscription Required).
FURTHER INFORMATI0N
For further information on any issues raised in this blog, please contact a member of our Immigration team.
About the author
Nick Rollason heads our immigration team and advises on all areas of UK immigration and nationality law. He has particular expertise in providing strategic advice to businesses on their global immigration needs. He is regularly consulted by the UK immigration authorities on proposed changes to the UK immigration rules and policy.
Latest blogs & news
Suspension of the UK’s Refugee Family Reunion scheme: an afront to the principle of family unity
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (“SSHD”) Yvette Cooper has trained her crosshairs squarely on foreign national families in her recent announcement, declaring the suspension and reform of the refugee family reunion scheme and a review of “the application of Article 8 in the immigration and asylum system.” The suspension came with a statement of changes to the Immigration Rules today at 3pm.
What to do if you receive a civil penalty for illegal working
UKVI can issue a whopping fine of up to £60,000 to a company that is alleged to have employed someone illegally in the UK. The size of the fine is partly determined by whether the breach is a first for the business or not.
Why more Americans are seeking British citizenship in 2025
As political and economic uncertainties continue to shape the global landscape, a growing number of Americans are setting their sights on the United Kingdom, not just for travel or business, but for a new life altogether.
The UK Government’s plan for AI and the UK immigration White Paper
At the start of the year, the Prime Minister outlined the UK Government's vision for making the UK a global leader in AI innovation in its response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan. But does the UK really have a competitive offering for AI talent?
EU nationals – top tips for applying for your Student visa this summer
For EU nationals looking to start university in the UK this year, we’ve set out some key issues to consider before applying for your Student visa.
Tech Nation Wins Tender to Continue as Endorsing Body for Global Talent Visa
Tech Nation has confirmed on its website that it has successfully been awarded the status of endorsing body for the UK’s Global Talent visa in digital technology for the next three years. This provides much-welcomed certainty for the Global Talent route which, in my view, is the jewel in the UK’s visa crown.
A back-up for those with US immigration difficulties – common issues when transferring staff to the UK
In a flurry of executive orders, the uncertainty created by the US administration’s approach to immigration has left many US businesses seeking options to retain high-valued migrant staff, especially after failed lotteries and quota issues. Invariably the UK figures prominently in the thinking of many businesses as a potential destination for staff who are at a dead-end from a US immigration perspective – either as a permanent or temporary relocation.
Linking skills with visas: why the UK must not repeat Australia’s mistakes
In our last blog on this topic, we looked at the Government’s announcement that it would publish a White Paper which will set out its plans to link the ability to sponsor migrant workers to training “people here in our country.” The White Paper is now imminent.
New extension scheme but there’s still no route to settlement for Ukrainian nationals in the UK
In response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces in February 2022, the UK government introduced various immigration routes for Ukrainian nationals seeking safety in the UK. However, recent updates to the Immigration Rules regarding the Long Residence route have made clear that time spent in the UK under the Ukraine Schemes no longer counts toward the 10-year qualifying period required for settlement.
Going nuclear - new immigration ideas needed for new energy
As the UK embarks on the construction of new energy infrastructure, most notably new nuclear power stations, industry insiders will be well aware of the stark challenges that face these projects.
Brexit: Five years on – A nation adrift
On Friday 31st January 2020 the UK officially left Europe via the Withdrawal Agreement. Five years on and it is difficult to look at the challenges the UK faces and not question whether it has been very problematic for the UK’s economy. Please indulge me to reflect on the last five years.
Timetable for full rollout of UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme
The announcement on the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme finally shed light on when it will be expanded to the remaining 83 other countries.
UK Immigration: a year in review and 2025 forecast unveiled
We are familiar with change in immigration but even for us, 2024 has been a monumental year.
Linking skills with visas? Just make sure the Immigration Skills Charge does what it says on the tin
In his speech last week, Sir Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, announced plans to publish a White Paper which will link the ability to sponsor migrant workers to training “people here in our country”.
It used to be so straightforward – sponsor licence application refusals dramatically increase
When someone sets out a process and gives your instructions, you kind of expect when you follow the instructions to achieve the desired outcome, like assembling some flatpack furniture.
Unlocking potential: fresh ideas to attract fresh talent on the Global Talent visa
Nearly 10 months have passed since the Home Office put the contract to take over from Tech Nation as the Global Talent digital technology endorsing body out for tender, and we have been waiting for a meaningful update. We suspect that the old adage no news is good news probably doesn’t apply here.
International adoption: Growing families across borders – how to navigate bringing your child home to the UK
21 October to 27 October 2024 marks National Adoption Week in the UK, the aim of which is to recognise and highlight the importance of adoption and, also, to encourage more people to consider adoption as a way to build their family.
International surrogacy – key immigration considerations
Growing your family through international surrogacy comprises many legal and logistical aspects. Managing these, at what can be a very busy and emotional time, can be extremely challenging.
Timetable confirmed for full rollout of UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme
Today’s announcement on the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme finally sheds light when it will be expanded to the remaining 83 other countries.
100 Years of EU Immigration in the UK
Immigration has long been a part of Britain’s history, however the concept of documenting and restricting certain migrants is relatively new - having first been introduced at the turn of the 20th Century.
We welcome views and opinions about the issues raised in this blog. Should you require specific advice in relation to personal circumstances, please use the form on the contact page.
You may also be interested in:
Blog
(In)definitely maybe – when indefinite doesn’t quite mean indefinite
Robert Houchill
Share insightLinkedIn X Facebook Email to a friend Print