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08 Jan Changes to the newly announced policies to reduce UK immigration

Posted on January 8, 2024 in Migra & Co by
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Following the breaking news about plans for a series of changes in the immigration routes announced by the Home Secretary on 4 December 2023, the Home Office has now rolled back on plans to increase the family visa threshold from £38700 to £29000. The new minimum salary of £29,000 will come into effect in spring this year, gradually increasing to £38,700.

However, the minimum salary for skilled worker visas will see an increase from £26,200 to £38,700 by this spring. The individual occupation “going rate” thresholds will also rise in line with the median full-time wage for equivalent jobs in 2023.

The Home Office has confirmed that the following measures will be implemented:

1.Overseas care workers can no longer bring dependents. The changes will be introduced as soon as possible this year.

Care workers (SOC code 6145) and senior care workers (SOC code 6146) who are already in the route will be able to be joined by their dependents, including extending, changing employers (within these SOC codes), and settling. Individuals who are in the UK and switch to this route later, after the policy changes, will not be able to bring over their dependents.

 

2.The minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas will increase from £26,200 to £38,700, and the individual occupation ‘going rate’ thresholds will be raised in April 2024, in line with the median full-time wage for equivalent jobs in 2023. However, Health and Social Care workers and education workers on national pay-scale occupations will be exempt from this threshold due to the labour shortage.

Those who are already in the UK as Skilled Worker migrants should be exempt from the new median salary levels when they change sponsors, extend, or settle. However, their pay progression is expected to align with that of resident workers; they will be subject to the 25% threshold (a minimum of £29,000) using the latest pay data when they next apply to change employment, extend their stay, or settle.

 

3.The Shortage Occupation List is set to undergo reform, transforming into an Immigration Salary List (ISL). The 20% discount will be discontinued, and the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will review the list, adjusting individual salary thresholds. Until these changes are implemented, the current Shortage Occupation List (SOL) will remain in place.

 

4.The minimum income requirement for family visas is set to increase gradually, reaching £38,700 to align with the skilled worker visa salary requirement. This approach aims to provide predictability for families. In the spring of this year, the threshold will rise to £29,000 from £18,600, representing 25% of earnings for jobs at the skill level of RQF3. Subsequently, it will progress to 40% (£34,500) and ultimately reach £38,700.

Please note that existing visa holders on family visa routes (including fiancée visas) who applied prior to the changes to the threshold will not be subject to the new income requirements.

 

5.Furthermore, the Graduate route will undergo a review by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) in January 2024, and the outcome is expected to be received in late 2024.

 

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For expert advice regarding any aspect of the UK visa application, please contact our immigration team on 0203 384 3075

The content of this article is for general use and information only. Since each case should be prepared on its own merit and in light of the constant amendments to the Immigration Rules, it is important to note that the information provided must not be relied upon unless Migra & Co has either given written consent or has been officially engaged in relation to a specific immigration matter. As a result, Migra & Co will take no responsibility for any damage, cost or loss resulting from relying on the information contained in this article, blog and website.