Scotland’s Migration Service supports local authorities across Scotland to understand the Skilled Worker visa process and meet recruitment needs.
How Scotland’s Migration Service supported employers
Local authorities across Scotland face ongoing challenges in recruiting for key roles. This includes areas across the Central Belt, as well as rural and island communities.
Many councils have explored international recruitment but need support to understand how the Skilled Worker visa route works in practice.
To support this, Scotland’s Migration Service has delivered tailored guidance through webinars, partnerships, and one-to-one legal advice.
This includes targeted sessions such as 'Hiring International Talent in the Highlands and Islands: Practical Options for Employers', as well as partnership work with South of Scotland Enterprise which includes a webinar focused on supporting employers in the South of Scotland.
Alongside this, Scotland’s Migration Service has worked directly with local authorities to provide practical legal advice with immigration matters in real recruitment cases.
This includes:
- advising on assigning certificates of sponsorship and responding to Home Office queries following rule changes
- helping employers understand updated salary thresholds and eligibility requirements introduced on 22 July 2025
- support identifying appropriate occupation codes based on job roles and responsibilities
- explaining how to calculate salary requirements, including when discount rates such as the new entrant apply.
In one case, a local authority was supported to respond to a Home Office query relating to a certificate of sponsorship. Advice focused on strengthening their response and outlining next steps depending on the outcome.
In another case, a council sought support following changes to visa and salary rules. Scotland’s Migration Service provided guidance on the applicable discounts to the increased salary thresholds based on the potential employee’s circumstances. This included options which they were unaware of which helped them understand the most appropriate route available to progress the recruitment.
In a further example, an island-based authority received support to assess whether a role in children’s social work met the requirements under the Health and Care visa route. This included advice on eligibility, salary thresholds, and switching rules.
Through this support, local authorities have been able to:
- better understand how the Skilled Worker route applies to their roles
- assess whether positions meet eligibility and salary requirements
- respond to changes in immigration rules with confidence
- explore international recruitment as part of their workforce strategy.
This has helped councils across Scotland make informed decisions and reduce uncertainty when navigating the immigration system.
If you are a local authority looking to recruit internationally, Scotland’s Migration Service can help.
Book your appointment today for free expert advice.