UK to Increase Immigration Skills Charge and Reform Work Visa Routes

The government says the policy changes will strengthen the domestic labor market.

The U.K. government has announced a significant increase in the Immigration Skills Charge and a series of reforms to work visa routes as part of efforts to prioritize local employment.

The new measures will require employers hiring overseas workers to pay higher fees, which officials say will fund domestic skills training.

Business groups, however, warn the changes could raise recruitment costs and limit access to global talent.