Britain will ease high-skilled worker visas to attract global talent. The UK finance minister Rachel Reeves said the move would directly contrast recent U.S. restrictions under President Donald Trump.
Speaking at the opening of fintech company Revolut’s new London headquarters on Monday, Reeves said the government’s aim was to make Britain more welcoming for international talent. “Unlike Trump who had announced his government will make it harder to bring talent to the U.S., we want to make it easier to bring talent,” she told the event.
The comments follow Trump’s announcement last week of sharp increases in the fees associated with the U.S. H-1B visa programme, a route widely used by technology companies and consultancies to employ skilled foreign workers. The change has prompted warnings from business groups about reduced access to global talent in the U.S.
In response, the UK is reviewing its Global Talent visa, introduced in 2020, which currently costs applicants £766 plus a £1,035 health surcharge for each person, including dependants. Reports suggest the government is considering cutting or scrapping these fees altogether.
A “global talent taskforce,” led by businessman Varun Chandra and science minister Patrick Vallance, has been asked to explore changes. The group is also examining how UK tax rules, including inheritance taxes and domicile regulations, affect high-skilled migrants’ decisions.
Industry groups have urged ministers to act quickly. The Startup Coalition, representing high-growth companies, said in a letter to the government that changes to visa rules should target “displaced talent” affected by Trump’s new policies. The group called for expedited processing and targeted support to make Britain the “natural home” for skilled workers seeking opportunities.
However, detail on the scale and timing of reforms remains limited. Reeves did not outline specific legislative steps or a timetable for implementation. The UK government has also pledged to reduce net migration overall, a policy goal that could complicate efforts to expand routes for skilled workers.
Business leaders and universities are expected to closely follow developments. High-skilled migration has become a critical factor for sectors ranging from technology and life sciences to higher education, with visa policy seen as central to competitiveness.
