In this article, we’re explaining why UK businesses are recruiting from overseas for technology talent in 2023.

As technology continues to become the sun around which all industries revolve, advanced tech skills are more in demand than ever before, as businesses strive to gain an edge.

In the UK there appears to be a lag between technology workers versus the current demand, forcing companies to look internationally for technology talent to work for UK companies. Many companies turn to a skilled worker visa lawyer for advice and help with hiring from abroad within the tech sector.

In this article, we’re going to be looking at why UK businesses are recruiting from overseas for technology talent.

Why Are UK Companies Tapping into International Talent?

With annual investment in the billions of pounds, the UK is a technology powerhouse with around 940,000 people employed within the tech industry - many of whom come from overseas.

Despite tighter restrictions on living and working in the UK for overseas residents, a significant number of overseas workers are taking tech jobs in the UK and, in this section, we’ll look at some of the reasons why:

Demand for Experienced Workers

Despite enjoying one of the largest funding rates in Europe, UK graduates and employees still lack some tech skills which are desired by UK businesses, resulting in them looking further afield to fill vacancies.

A recent survey showed that a staggering 88% of business owners said that they had a lack of confidence in the structures of the UK tech education sector. This, they explained, had a knock-on effect of a lack of confidence in graduates being able to deliver performance for the type of growth needed in a post-pandemic, increasingly digital economy.

Although Brexit made the hiring of European employees a little trickier, there are a number of visas available which allow those from overseas to live and work in the UK for a number of years and, in some cases, permanently.

Growing a Multicultural Workforce

Technology and cheaply available travel continue to bring the world closer. By employing people from overseas, UK companies gain not just new skills but also different ways of looking at things in terms of culture.

In addition to this, businesses benefit from having a multilingual workforce - something which is becoming increasingly important at a time when growing a business internationally is often vital to a company’s survival.

Salary Expectations

It’s a simple fact that most businesses exist to make money - and that the more cash that is shelled out on employee wages means less profit for the company.

In a lot of cases, overseas employees will demand lower salaries than their UK counterparts; meaning that businesses can gain top talent with lower outgoings.

This doesn’t by any means equate to overseas employees being exploited but is simply a case that, often, their salary expectations will be lower for at least the initial part of their employment.

What Restrictions Affect Overseas Workers?

Since the UK’s exit from the European Union in January 2020, there have been changes that affect overseas workers. Some restrictions apply to people wishing to work in the UK or work for a UK business. Those wishing to do so, need to fulfil certain criteria in order to gain a visa. Some of the visas available are:

Senior / specialist worker visa

A senior or specialist worker visa will allow an overseas employee to work in the UK for at least two years and to qualify, the individual must fill the following criteria:

• Be an existing employee of an organisation that’s been approved by the Home Office as a sponsor
• Have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the work you will do in the UK
• Do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
• Be paid at least £42,400 per year

Graduate trainee visa

You may be eligible for a Graduate trainee visa if you can tick the following boxes:

• You are an existing employee of an organisation that’s been approved by the Home Office as a sponsor
• You have worked for your sponsor outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before you apply
• You have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the work you will do in the UK
• You do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
• You are paid at least £23,100 per year

Global expansion visa

If you work for a company overseas and wish to switch to a branch of the company in the UK, a global expansion visa may work for you if:

• You have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer
• You have worked for your employer outside the UK
• You do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
• You are paid the minimum eligible salary required for your job

Educating Equals Employment in the UK

As we’ve highlighted in this article, it is still possible to recruit from overseas following Brexit and many businesses choose to do so. However, it would almost certainly be easier to recruit from within the UK and, many agree that, for this to happen, there will need to be some changes to the tech education structure in the UK to ensure that colleges and universities are producing the kind of candidates that UK tech businesses are looking for right now.

Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained legal professional. Be sure to consult a lawyer/solicitor if you’re seeking advice on skilled worker visas. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.