UK offers work permit to non-graduate Kenyans

Kenyans without degree-level qualifications will from January 2021 be allowed to apply for work permits in Britain under post-Brexit immigration rules.

According to Britain’s Home Office, the new move will “provide greater flexibility and ensure UK business has access to a wide pool of skilled workers”.

“An applicant’s job must be at the minimum skill level of A-level or equivalent, rather than degree level under the current system,” said the British home office.

Britain’s new points-based immigration system has lowered the requirement for job applicants to the minimum skill level of A-level or equivalent from degree-level under the 27-member EU bloc system.

The relaxed visa rules will enable Kenyan professionals in fields such as IT, accountancy, plumbing, and electrical works enabling them to compete with job-seekers from the European Union and other regions.

Britain has also lowered the minimum general salary threshold for skilled migrants by 26.67 percent to £22,000 (Sh2.97 million) per year, or £1,833 (Sh247, 628) a month, from £30,000 per year currently.

This follows a January 2020 proposal by Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), an independent entity that advises the British government, which had recommended £25,600 (Sh3.46 million) minimum annual pay for migrant skilled laborers.

“Under the new system, those wishing to live and work in the UK must gain 70 points – and points are awarded for criteria such as having a job offer, holding a Ph.D. relevant to the job, speaking English and earning more than £22,000 per year,” says an advisory by Britain’s Home Office.

“There are also additional points for those with job offers in ‘shortage occupations’.”

The relaxed visa rules will also benefit Kenyan students who will now be allowed more time after completing studies in UK universities.

Under what Britain’s Home Office calls “Graduate route”, which opens in Summer 2021, Kenyan students, just like other international ones, will be allowed more time to stay in the UK to look for jobs than the four months under the EU rules.

International students completing undergraduate or master’s degrees will be able to stay in Britain for two years and those completing a Ph.D. three years.

“Leaving the European Union means the UK will be open to the brightest and best from around the world – and Kenya is very much a part of that,” British High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott said in a statement on Monday.

“I’m particularly pleased that the new Graduate Route will be opening in summer 2021, allowing Kenya and UK’s fantastic and talented minds to work even more closely together.”