Scottish employers looking to grow their teams can benefit significantly from accessing international talent. Skilled workers from overseas can bring fresh thinking, specialist knowledge, and valuable experience that can give businesses a real competitive edge.
For sectors facing persistent skills shortages, looking globally can open doors to highly qualified candidates ready to contribute from day one. And for organisations already employing international staff, ensuring they can retain that talent is equally important to maintaining team stability and protecting the investment made in recruitment and development.
But for many employers, the prospect of navigating the UK immigration system can feel daunting. The process can be complex and time-consuming, with sponsor licence requirements, ongoing compliance responsibilities, and visa applications that can take weeks or months to complete. Immigration rules change frequently too, making it difficult for busy employers to stay up to date.
Research shows that only a small percentage of Scottish organisations currently hold sponsor licences, meaning many businesses that could benefit from hiring international workers may never have considered it as an option.
That’s where Scotland’s Migration Service comes in
Scotland’s Migration Service is a free support service delivered by immigration law firm Seraphus and Citizens Advice Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. It helps employers across Scotland understand whether international recruitment is right for them and how to approach it with confidence.
“Many employers we speak to feel overwhelmed by the immigration process,” says Christopher Desira, Director of Seraphus. “They’re unsure whether their roles are eligible for sponsorship, or how recent policy changes affect them. Others are completely new to sponsorship and feel daunted by the costs and compliance responsibilities involved. Our job is to break this down in clear, practical terms so they can make informed decisions.”
The service supports organisations of all sizes across public, private and third sectors in all regions of Scotland.
Practical guidance at every stage
Whether an employer is considering international recruitment for the first time or needs advice on hiring a specific candidate, Scotland’s Migration Service offers tailored support throughout the journey. This includes expert guidance on visa routes, understanding which roles are eligible for sponsorship, and advice on sponsor licence applications and compliance.
“We recently supported a small Scottish business wanting to sponsor their first international employee,” says Desira. “They had no experience with sponsor licences and weren’t sure where to start. We guided them step-by-step through the eligibility checks, HR requirements and application process. They left with a clear plan for becoming a licensed sponsor.”
The service also helps employers respond to changes in the immigration landscape. “We regularly help employers affected by sudden policy changes,” says Desira. “In one recent case, we helped an employer explore alternative visa options when a role became ineligible.”
How to access support
Employers can access free one-to-one advice sessions with qualified immigration lawyers via video or telephone call. There’s also expert online guidance at migrationservice.scotland.org covering visa routes, sponsorship requirements and immigration updates. Free webinars are available on topics linked to hiring international workers.
“We encourage employers to seek support early so they can plan with confidence,” says Desira. “Scotland’s Migration Service gives employers a trusted, free way to access expert immigration advice.”
To find out more go to:
migrationservice.scotland.org
