Employing migrant workers in Northern Ireland

Advantages of employing migrant workers

Guide

A new immigration system applies to people arriving in the UK from 1 January 2021. EU citizens moving to the UK to work will need to get a visa in advance. Employers need a sponsor licence to hire most workers from outside the UK.

Please note: this requirement excludes Irish citizens and those who already have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

See employing EU citizens in the UK.

Migrant workers can make a positive contribution to business performance and productivity. They can also bring culturally unique and complementary skills and knowledge to your business.

Some of the advantages of employing migrant workers in your business include:

  • Filling skills gaps - fulfiling existing contracts and taking on more work through new skills and talent.
  • Knowledge sharing - increasing access to international knowledge and supporting the upskilling of co-workers.
  • Expansion into new markets - strengthening contacts in international markets and local networks through new language skills and cultural awareness.
  • Enrichment from different cultures - creating a more diverse workforce with varied experience and ways of working.