by Oscar Venus | 23 Oct, 2025 | Employment, Labour, Skills
Significant changes to visa sponsorship were announced on 14 October 2025 which will impact on upcoming Skilled Worker visa applications. Please see below for a summary of the changes:
Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) Increase – Effective 16 December 2025
The Immigration Skills Charge will increase by 32% from 16 December 2025. This means an increase for small and charitable companies of £364 a year to £480, and for medium and large companies an increase from £1,000 a year to £1,320.
The additional costs of future hires and extensions can be avoided by assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship before 16 December 2025.
Sponsors should check now that they have an available allocation of Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship and consider their sponsorship plans in light of these increases.
English Language Requirement Increase – Effective 8 January 2026
From 8 January 2026, the required English language level for Skilled Worker visa applicants will rise from B1 to B2 under the CEFR scale. We advise that applicants intending to join the Skilled Worker route submit their applications before 8 January 2026 to avoid being impacted by this change. Please note that current Skilled Worker visa holders will not be affected and will not be required to take a new test.
Visa processing Delays and Holiday Travel
Visa processing times have lengthened significantly due to a surge in applications following earlier rule changes in July 2025. UKVI is currently experiencing a substantial backlog, and we are seeing many standard applications take the full 8 weeks or longer to receive a decision.
If applicants need to travel over the Christmas period, we strongly advise using the Priority Service (£500 additional fee) to receive a decision within 5 working days of submission or biometric enrolment (depending on application type).
UKVI anticipates another spike in applications due to the upcoming ISC and English language changes, which may further impact processing times.
Sponsor Management Reporting and Compliance
UKVI is increasingly focusing on compliance checks relating to changes in salary and using intelligence provided by HMRC. Sponsors are being warned to ensure that all payments, including periods of unpaid leave, maternity leave, or other absences, are properly reported on the Sponsor Management System. Failure to do so may trigger a compliance audit, as UKVI is targeting sponsors who delay payments for months and then make large lump-sum payments.
Additionally, the right-to-work checks are expected to move entirely digital in the future, reducing or eliminating in-person verification. Employers should be prepared for these changes and ensure their processes and staff training are updated accordingly.
If you require advice on how these changes may affect your business or have any upcoming applications to process, please contact us – we are here to help.
by Oscar Venus | 16 Oct, 2025 | Labour, Skills
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published the first stage of its review of the Temporary Shortage List (TSL), which sets out occupations that may qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa under the recent changes to the UK’s Points-Based Immigration System.
With the threshold for Skilled Worker Visas now raised to RQF Level 6, the TSL provides a critical route for occupations at RQF Levels 3–5 to remain eligible, many of which are vital to the finishes and interiors sector.
The MAC’s initial list identifies 82 occupations considered potentially crucial to delivering the UK’s 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy. These include key trades relevant to our community such as plasterers, painters and decorators, floorers, wall tilers, and construction supervisors. The list will be refined following an industry-wide call for evidence, and FIS will continue to work with the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and Build UK to ensure the sector’s needs are represented.
The MAC has also proposed that occupations on the TSL be reviewed every three years and that no salary discounts be applied against the standard Skilled Worker Visa threshold. The Stage 2 report, including final recommendations, is expected in July 2026, with final decisions to follow from the Home Secretary.
Build UK’s flowchart providing an overview of the process of employing a worker from outside the UK is being regularly updated in line with changes to the immigration system, together with our detailed guidance on How to Get a Sponsor Licence and How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa.
FIS will keep members updated and contribute evidence on behalf of the sector to ensure the critical skills needed across the finishes and interiors community are recognised within immigration policy.
by Oscar Venus | 10 Apr, 2025 | Labour, Skills
FIS is proud to be partnering with Building Our Skills to deliver an exciting Careers Festival – showcasing ‘50 Careers in a Day’ – designed to open young minds to the diverse opportunities available within the finishes and interiors sector and the wider construction industry.
Taking place on Tuesday 20th May at the AluK Design Centre in London, this one-day event will bring together school-aged children, teachers, careers advisors, and parents to explore what a future in construction could look like. The festival will feature real stories from real people, with industry professionals sharing insights into their own career journeys, what inspired them, and the variety of roles available across the sector.
Why Get Involved?
This initiative is about more than just awareness — it’s about making construction a career of choice for the next generation. The event aims to:
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Position construction as an exciting and rewarding long-term career
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Provide clear, practical information and guidance
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Enable direct engagement with passionate people working in the industry
We’re inviting FIS members to get involved — whether it’s by giving a short talk, sharing your story, or bringing along a hands-on activity that helps bring your work to life.
Event Details
Tuesday 20th May
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
AluK Design Centre, Henry Thomas House, 5-11 Worship St, London EC2A 2BH
Interested in Taking Part?
If you’d like to be part of this inspiring day and help us shape the future of our industry, please get in touch with Beena Nana at
beenanana@thefis.org by Friday 8 May.
by Oscar Venus | 10 Apr, 2025 | Labour, Skills
FIS joins concerns in the level of challenges that the workforce are facing as we take part in last week’s Build UK Forum, where we joined industry peers to explore the initial findings of ongoing research by Warwick University into workforce challenges across construction.
The discussion reinforced what many within the finishes and interiors sector are already experiencing which is that the way our industry operates has a direct impact not only on the ability to recruit and retain skilled workers, but also on overall quality, productivity, and performance.
The research is shedding light on some of the key structural and cultural issues affecting our workforce, including:
- High levels of self-employment
- Intense project timelines and long working hours
- Extended periods working away from home
- A lack of recognition and reward
- Poor mental health and wellbeing support
As a sector already facing a significant skills gap, these findings underline the urgent need for change. We welcome Warwick University’s continued work, particularly its focus on understanding what draws new entrants into the industry. This insight will be critical to shaping more effective recruitment strategies and building a more sustainable and supportive working environment.
FIS remains committed to supporting members in tackling these challenges and championing improvements that will help attract and retain the skilled workforce our sector needs.
by Oscar Venus | 14 Feb, 2025 | Labour, Membership, Skills
Open Doors is an initiative organised by Build UK to inspire the next generation to choose a career in construction.
This sector is hugely rewarding, and Open Doors provides organisations with an opportunity to showcase their sites, manufacturing facilities, offices and training centres. Feedback from previous year’s events show that visits during Open Doors lead directly to new entrants joining our industry.
With the industry needing to recruit an additional 50,000 new entrants each year, we are encouraging our members to support or host events as part of Open Doors 2025. There may also be local events in your area that you can promote to schools, colleges and universities so they can see construction in action.
Further information on how you can get involved can be found in Build UK’s latest Open Doors update, and your comms teams can help to promote events on social media using the hashtag #OpenDoors25.
by Clair Mooney | 30 Jan, 2025 | Labour, Main News Feed, Skills
FIS is working with British Gypsum and Construction Skills People to deliver Skills Bootcamps in Interior Systems at their Erith Academy. Aimed at adults aged 19 and over, Skills Bootcamps can support businesses in upskilling their existing workforce or to recruit new talent. They are developed and delivered in partnership with your business and can be offered full or part-time.
How Skills Bootcamps can benefit your business
Skills Bootcamps can help you to:
- quickly recruit and upskill staff with the right training and skills
- reduce costs associated with traditional recruitment processes
- boost productivity with motivated learners who can bring in fresh ideas and perspectives
How can you get involved in Bootcamps?
FIS is working with British Gypsum and Construction Skills People to deliver Skills Bootcamps in Interior Systems at their Erith Academy. This is a 10 day course across two weeks:
- Week one: 31 March – 04 April
- Week two: 07 – 11 April
The course will include:
Day 1 – Course overview, Introduction to H&S in Construction (Interior Systems)
Day 2 – Understanding your carbon footprint & Mental Health Awareness
Day 3 – 4 – Beginners Metal Stud work for Dry Lining Systems
Day 5 – Gyplyner Wall Lining Systems
Day 6 – Metal Frame (MF) Ceiling Systems
Day 7 – 8 – Dotting and Dabbing Boarding Technique
Day 9 – 10 – Hand Jointing/Tape and Jointing Systems
We require support from members in the South East, London and Kent, who are able to provide interviews, work placements or employment.
Please contact marieflinter@thefis.org should you require further information.
