Talented people are central to the economic growth of nations, but with skills shortages biting hard, immigration has become an essential part of recruitment for businesses across the UK and Ireland. Northern Ireland is no exception.
In the current climate, entrepreneurs and employers have found that access to talent from overseas has not only filled labour gaps, but also enriched businesses. Diversity of skills is matched only by diversity of perspectives and ideas, driving innovation and business development.
Our own analysis has shown that there is a growing appetite for bringing in overseas talent. Across all districts in Northern Ireland, there has been a significant increase in the number of companies with sponsorship licences in the last 12 months.
With businesses increasingly looking at overseas talent, the visit of the Chair of the UK Migration Advisory Commission, Professor Brian Bell, to our Business Briefing on Immigration on Thursday 21 September could not have come at a better time. As interest grows, so do the barriers.
Currently, it costs employers around £15,000 to bring a family of five to the UK to work on a skilled work visa. But this is set to rise to more than £20,000 in the coming months.
Despite the increased costs, the potential returns for businesses could outweigh this initial investment. An influx of fresh talent to fill vacancies in the software, hospitality and healthcare sectors could be just what is needed to boost the economy and meet the expectations business leaders have for Northern Ireland.
The promotion of overseas talent represents a remarkable opportunity to broaden the skills pool and help businesses overcome the significant skills challenges that are currently hampering growth prospects.
While recruiting people from around the world can be the right decision for employers, it is important that businesses are diligent and compliant by carrying out right-to-work checks on a case-by-case basis.
Illegal working remains a challenge for the government and the Home Office regularly requests information from employers regarding potential illegal working.
The Recruiting Right UK online platform, developed by our global mobility team, is a secure and straightforward guide to robust right to work checks and will reduce the risk of exposure to civil penalties for illegal working.
As the largest international law firm on the island of Ireland, we know that immigration can play a key role in Northern Ireland’s international economic growth by addressing critical skills shortages and adding diversity to our business landscape. The costs and compliance requirements involved may seem daunting, but the potential benefits far outweigh the initial investment and can contribute to a more prosperous Northern Ireland.
