Late last week, the UK government announced that it intends to make the following changes to the immigration system to curb migration to the UK, which has reached an all-time high in the past year:
- Banning care workers who apply under the Health and Care Work visa from bringing dependent family members to the UK.
- Ending companies being able to pay workers 20% less than the going rate for jobs on the shortage occupation list.
- Increasing the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)– the annual charge for foreign workers to use the NHS – from £624 to £1,035.
- Raising the minimum income for family visas from £18,600 to £38,700.
- Reviewing the Graduate visa route to “prevent abuse.”
- Increasing Skilled Worker salary thresholds from £26,200 to £38,700.
These proposed changes are subject to a vote by the UK government. The home secretary has stated that if the vote goes through, these changes could take effect as soon as Spring 2024.
On 4 October 2023, there was also an increase in UK visa fees. Skilled Worker fees increased by 15%, family visa, settlement, and citizenship fees by 20%, and Student visa fees by 35%.
The above proposed changes will provide another hurdle for those wanting to immigrate to the UK.
The T&S EMEA Team will continue to monitor this situation and will provide updates once further announcements have been made.
