Key Takeaways
• On May 29, 2025, the MAC confirmed UK immigration system works well for IT and engineering sectors.
• No immediate visa changes; Skilled Worker and Global Talent visas remain available and unchanged.
• Engineering apprenticeships dropped from 26,970 (2021/22) to 18,520 (2024/25), skills shortages persist.
The United Kingdom 🇬🇧 has just received a major update on how its immigration system supports hiring in the IT and engineering sectors. On May 29, 2025, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its long-awaited review, finding that the current UK immigration system is working well for these fields. This news comes after months of political debate and industry concern about possible changes to visa rules and recruitment practices.
Who is affected?
Employers in IT and engineering, skilled migrants looking to work in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, and policymakers focused on balancing economic needs with migration targets are all watching closely. The MAC’s review, commissioned by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in August 2024, was designed to answer a simple but important question: Does the UK immigration system need urgent changes to help or control recruitment in these high-demand sectors?
What did the MAC find?
The headline is clear: No major immigration issues require urgent policy fixes in IT and engineering right now. The government has accepted these findings, and there are no immediate changes to visa rules or sponsorship requirements for these sectors.
Let’s break down what this means, why it matters, and what comes next for employers, migrants, and the UK economy.
The MAC’s Review: What Happened and Why
The Migration Advisory Committee is an independent group that advises the government on immigration policy. In August 2024, the Home Secretary asked the MAC to look closely at how the UK immigration system is used to recruit IT and engineering professionals. This was part of a wider government plan to review sectors that rely heavily on international workers.
The MAC spent months gathering evidence from:
- Industry bodies like TechUK and the Royal Academy of Engineering
- Employers across the country
- Government departments and workforce planning groups, including Skills England
The goal was to see if the current system is helping or hurting the ability to fill important jobs, and whether any urgent changes are needed.
Key Findings: No Urgent Problems, but Skills Shortages Remain
The MAC’s main conclusion is that the UK immigration system is not a major barrier for IT and engineering recruitment. The system is working as intended, and there is no need for quick policy changes.
Key points from the report:
- No Immediate Policy Changes: The government will not change visa eligibility or sponsorship rules for IT and engineering jobs right now.
- Visa Routes Remain the Same: The main ways for skilled workers to come to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧—the Skilled Worker visa and the Global Talent visa—are still available and unchanged.
- No Return of Resident Labour Market Test: The government will not bring back the old rule that forced employers to advertise jobs to local workers before hiring from abroad. This rule was removed in January 2021.
- Low Uptake of Global Talent Visa: Fewer than 1,000 endorsements per year were given for IT and engineering under the Global Talent route between 2020 and 2023. Most engineering endorsements (87%) went to people working in universities, while only 4% of IT endorsements were for academic roles.
- Falling Apprenticeships: The number of engineering apprenticeships in England dropped from 26,970 in 2021/22 to 18,520 in 2024/25.
- Ongoing Skills Shortages: Many employers say it is still hard to find local candidates with the right technical experience, especially in fast-changing fields like digital technology and artificial intelligence.
How the UK Immigration System Works for IT and Engineering
For employers and migrants, the process of hiring or moving to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 for IT and engineering jobs follows these steps:
- Identify Vacancy: The employer decides they need to hire an IT or engineering professional.
- Check Eligibility: The job must meet skill and salary requirements for the Skilled Worker or Global Talent visa.
- Sponsorship: For the Skilled Worker route, the employer must be a licensed sponsor. Information about becoming a sponsor is available on the official government website.
- Recruitment: There is no need to advertise the job to local workers first, but employers should keep good records of their recruitment efforts.
- Visa Application: The candidate applies for the right visa. For the Global Talent route, they need an endorsement from a recognized body (like Tech Nation for IT or the Royal Academy of Engineering for engineering). The Skilled Worker visa application form and Global Talent visa application form are available online.
- Onboarding: Once the visa is approved, the migrant can start work.
No new barriers or requirements have been introduced as a result of the MAC review. The process remains the same as before.
What This Means for Employers
Employers in IT and engineering can continue to recruit international talent using the existing visa routes. There are no new restrictions, but the government will keep a close eye on how these sectors use the immigration system.
Practical tips for employers:
- Keep Good Records: Even though there is no resident labour market test, employers should document their recruitment efforts in case of future checks.
- Stay Engaged: Industry bodies like TechUK and the Royal Academy of Engineering are involved in ongoing consultations. Employers should participate in these discussions to share their needs and concerns.
- Monitor Policy Updates: While no changes are planned now, the government may adjust policies in the future based on workforce trends and political pressures.
What This Means for Migrants
For skilled workers hoping to move to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 in IT or engineering, the main visa routes remain open and unchanged. The Skilled Worker visa is the most common path, while the Global Talent visa is available for top experts with a strong track record.
Key points for migrants:
- No New Barriers: The MAC review did not introduce any new requirements or restrictions.
- Visa Options: The Skilled Worker visa requires a job offer from a licensed sponsor, while the Global Talent visa requires an endorsement from a recognized body.
- Application Process: All forms and guidance are available on the official government website.
The Government’s Balancing Act
The Labour government, led by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, faces pressure to reduce overall migration while also supporting economic growth. The MAC’s report helps the government show that it is listening to both sides:
- Reducing Migration: The government wants to train more local workers and rely less on overseas talent in the long run.
- Supporting Business: At the same time, it recognizes that many employers still need skilled migrants to fill important roles, especially in fast-growing sectors like IT and engineering.
No immediate changes have been announced, but the government will keep reviewing the situation and may adjust policies if domestic training programs succeed.
Industry and Stakeholder Perspectives
Employers:
Many employers in IT and engineering say they struggle to find enough local candidates with the right skills. They warn that making it harder to hire from abroad could slow down growth, especially in areas like digital technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced engineering.
Industry Bodies:
Groups like TechUK and the Royal Academy of Engineering have been active in consultations, sharing data and concerns with the MAC. They support a balanced approach that keeps the door open for international talent while also investing in local training.
MAC’s Position:
The Migration Advisory Committee stresses that the current system is not a major barrier to recruitment, but skills shortages will continue unless there is more investment in domestic training and education.
Government:
The government is trying to find the right balance between reducing migration and making sure businesses have the workers they need.
Background: How We Got Here
Before Brexit:
Employers could easily hire workers from across Europe thanks to freedom of movement. This made it simple to fill IT and engineering jobs with skilled people from other EU countries.
After Brexit:
The United Kingdom 🇬🇧 introduced a points-based immigration system and removed the resident labour market test in January 2021. This new system requires most skilled workers to have a job offer and meet certain skill and salary levels.
Recent Years:
High levels of net migration, especially in skilled sectors, have led to political debate and public concern. The government has responded by reviewing how different sectors use the immigration system.
2024–2025:
The MAC was asked to review IT and engineering as part of a wider effort to align immigration policy with workforce planning.
Numbers That Matter
- Global Talent Visa Endorsements (2020–2023):
- IT (Tech Nation): Fewer than 1,000 per year
- Engineering (Royal Academy of Engineering): Fewer than 1,000 per year
- 87% of engineering endorsements went to academia; only 4% of IT endorsements were for academic roles
- Engineering Apprenticeships in England:
- 2021/22: 26,970
- 2024/25: 18,520
- Employer Experience: Most IT employers say it is hard to find local candidates with the right technical experience
What’s Next? Future Outlook
Annual Reviews:
The MAC will continue to review how much IT and engineering rely on international recruitment every year. This means the situation could change if domestic training improves or if political priorities shift.
Possible Future Changes:
If the government’s plans to boost local training succeed, there could be new restrictions on hiring from abroad in the future. For now, though, the system stays the same.
Ongoing Consultations:
Employers and industry groups will have more chances to share their views with the MAC and the government. This ongoing engagement is important for shaping future policy.
Broader Sector Reviews:
IT and engineering are just the first sectors to be reviewed. The government may look at other high-migration sectors next.
Practical Guidance for Employers and Migrants
For Employers:
- Check Eligibility: Make sure job roles meet the skill and salary requirements for the Skilled Worker or Global Talent visa.
- Become a Licensed Sponsor: If not already, apply to become a licensed sponsor using the official government process.
- Document Recruitment Efforts: Keep clear records of how you tried to fill roles locally, even though it’s not required by law.
- Stay Informed: Watch for updates from the MAC, industry bodies, and government publications.
For Migrants:
- Explore Visa Options: Review the Skilled Worker visa and Global Talent visa requirements.
- Prepare Documents: Gather all necessary paperwork, including job offers, endorsements, and proof of skills.
- Monitor Policy Changes: Stay updated on any new announcements from the government or the MAC.
Where to Find More Information
- Migration Advisory Committee (MAC):
Official MAC website
Address: 2nd Floor Peel, Home Office Building, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF, United Kingdom
General Enquiries: 020 7035 6999 - Government Publications:
Professionals in IT and Engineering Review Visa Application Forms:
Skilled Worker visa application
Global Talent visa applicationIndustry Bodies:
TechUK, Royal Academy of Engineering
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the MAC’s careful review and the government’s response show a commitment to evidence-based policy. The current UK immigration system is seen as fit for purpose in IT and engineering, but the situation will be reviewed regularly as part of a broader plan to balance migration and domestic skills.
Actionable Takeaways
- Employers: No immediate changes—keep using the current system, but stay alert for future reviews.
- Migrants: Main visa routes are open and unchanged—prepare strong applications and monitor for updates.
- All Stakeholders: Participate in consultations and provide feedback to help shape future policy.
The MAC’s 2025 review brings stability for now, but ongoing monitoring and engagement will be key as the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 continues to balance economic needs with migration goals.
Learn Today
Migration Advisory Committee → Independent UK group advising government on immigration policy for workforce planning and sector needs.
Skilled Worker visa → UK visa for skilled migrants with a job offer from a licensed sponsor meeting requirements.
Global Talent visa → Visas for recognized leaders or potential experts in specific fields without job offer requirement.
Resident Labour Market Test → Old UK rule requiring employers to advertise jobs locally before hiring foreign workers, removed in 2021.
Sponsorship → Employer authorization allowing hiring of foreign skilled workers under UK immigration visa schemes.
This Article in a Nutshell
The UK’s Migration Advisory Committee found no urgent immigration policy changes needed for IT and engineering. Skilled Worker and Global Talent visas remain stable despite skills shortages and apprenticeship declines. Employers must keep records while the government balances reducing migration with economic growth opportunities.
— By VisaVerge.com
