Navigating the Recent Changes in UK Immigration Salary Requirements
With a looming general election and net migration figures of 745,000 last year the UK has made a huge statement of its plan to curb family, study, and work immigration!
New Minimum Salary Thresholds
Skilled Workers
One of the pivotal changes introduced by the UK government pertains to the minimum salary requirement for foreign skilled workers, which has seen a substantial increase. The bar has been raised from £26,200 to a noteworthy £38,700. However, it’s noteworthy that this adjustment does not apply universally, as the health and care sector remains exempt from this significant shift.
Spouse and Family Visa Applicants
For those seeking to bring their loved ones to the UK, the minimum income requirement for a spouse or family visa has also experienced a considerable uptick. Previously standing at £18,600, the threshold has now been elevated to align with the broader changes, reaching £38,700. This alteration has direct implications for families looking to reunite in the UK, demanding a more substantial financial standing before a visa will be issued.
Care Workers
Addressing the unique dynamics of the health and care sector, the new regulations impose restrictions on care workers. Notably, care workers will no longer have the ability to bring any dependents to the UK. This stringent measure aims to regulate the influx of dependants in this sector, ensuring a more focused and controlled approach.
Visa Sponsorship for Care Firms
Moreover, the UK government mandates that care firms, eager to issue sponsor visas, must now be registered with the Care Quality Commission. This additional criterion seeks to enhance the accountability and quality of care provided, aligning with broader efforts to uphold standards within the healthcare industry.
Reformation of the Shortage Occupation List
Changes in the List
The recent alterations extend beyond income thresholds, with reforms in the Shortage Occupation List. A notable change involves the abolition of the existing 20% going rate salary discount for shortage occupations. This modification aims to foster fairness and transparency in the recruitment process, ensuring that shortage occupations are fairly remunerated.
Implications for Visa Renewal
As individuals and businesses grapple with the immediate implications of these changes, it is vital to anticipate the impact on visa renewals. The home office has hinted that the changes will also apply when it comes to visa renewal time which could mean many families forced to decide between living and working in the UK and being with their families.
Who will be affected the most?
The people that will be affected the most will no doubt be the South Asian community that work largely in the care sector – the new salary threshold will deter companies from recruiting from abroad on the tier 2 sponsor license scheme as the salaries that need to be paid would be prohibitive. Also those people that marry foreign nationals and want to settle back in the UK will also have to meet the salary expectations regardless of their spouse’s ability to gain employment.