Throughout 2024, an election year, we expect to see more debate on the issue of immigration and potentially more measures being proposed and introduced.
Last year, net migration reached a record total of 745,000 which many British people feel is too high. Both the main political parties, the Conservatives and Labour, are now promising measures to stop illegal immigration and to reduce the number of legal migrants who arrive in Britain.
On January 1, 2021, the UK introduced a new points-based immigration system after its exit from the EU. Tweaking the system further, on 13 July 2023, the UK Government announced a hike in most UK visa application fees by between 15 and 35% that came into effect in October 2023.
No earlier than mid–January, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is a fee paid by visa holders excluding Health and Care visa holders and their dependents, will rise by 66% from £624 to £1035 per person per year. The fee applies to workers and family members staying in the UK for six months or more and the increase applies to both migrants and family members of British citizens applying under family visa routes. Students, children, and youth mobility visa holders will see their IHS rate rise from £470 to £776 per year.
Skilled Worker Visa Minimum Salary
For a Skilled Worker visa minimum salary threshold, to meet the criteria to qualify for a general Skilled Worker visa most applicants must be paid a minimum of £26,200 a year (the threshold does not apply to health and care workers).
The first minimum income increase will come into effect in spring 2024, and rise to around £34,500 at an unspecified time but likely later in 2024, and finally to around £38,700 in early 2025.
Shortage Occupation List
With regards to the Shortage Occupation List, no firm decisions have been made but the Government has committed to changes to the shortage occupation list ‘to significantly reduce the number of jobs where it will be possible to sponsor overseas workers below the baseline minimum salary’. These changes will happen no earlier than April 2024.
International students
Changes in UK immigration law include barriers that prevent students from bringing their dependents to the UK, as well as making it harder for them to obtain a work visa. International students are no longer allowed to bring their partners or children on dependent visas unless they are in a Ph.D. program or a postgraduate research programme.
The Graduate visa
The Graduate visa, which allows international students to work in any job in the UK for two years after graduating is under review. It is expected that restrictions will be added, it may be scrapped altogether. It will also be harder for students to switch directly on to Skilled Worker visas because the baseline minimum salary to be sponsored is set to increase from £26,200 to £38,700. The average graduate salary in the UK is just over £33,000, well below the proposed threshold.