Highly skilled Kenyans without degree-level qualifications will from Monday access work permits for employment in Britain under new immigration rules that followed the UK agreeing a deal to exit the European Union.
Britain’s new points-based immigration system, which took effect on Friday, has lowered the requirement for job applicants to a minimum skill level of A-level or equivalent from degree-level that applies in the EU bloc system.
The UK, which voted to exit the EU in 2016, agreed a new trade deal with other European countries on December 24, triggering new rules on work, residency and trade. The relaxed visa rules will enable Kenyan professionals in fields such as IT, accountancy, plumbing and electrical works to compete with other migrants.
Britain projects a huge climb in job vacancies after the new post-Brexit immigration system ended free movement of labour between it and the EU following the departure from the bloc earlier this year. The government says it will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally and will aim to attract people who can contribute to the British economy.
James Duddridge, the UK minister for Africa, told the Business Daily “people who have lived and have done a bit of work” in the UK, worked for companies with links to British firms and “have cultural appreciation of the UK society” stand to score more points under the work visa rules.
This will give an edge to Kenyans working for British multinationals such as Diageo, a majority shareholder in East African Breweries Limited #ticker:EABL, Standard Chartered Bank #ticker:SCBK, British American Tobacco #ticker:BAT, GlaxoSmithKline, Tullow Oil, and De La Rue.
“It brings much greater clarity about what is required and …this is absolutely brilliant for Africa,” Mr Duddridge said in an interview. “That’s good news for Africans wanting to come to Britain.”
The UK has in recent years come under criticism for its stringent work permit and visa approval rules for Africans. Successful visa applications for business take up to four weeks on average to be processed, mostly in South Africa, with the majority of the applications being rejected.
“It’s too difficult for people to come to the UK but applications and acceptances are growing higher. We are doing better on visas (although)… we are not doing good enough,” Mr Duddridge said.
The new UK work permit rules treat all foreigners equally unlike the previous work visa policy which had “free movement rights” clause for citizens of the EU bloc member countries.
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