March 19th, 2024 at 12:45 pm

6 Dynamic Changes in UK’s New Statement of Changes 2024

Have you heard about the new statement of changes that the UK government released recently? We will provide you with a summary of the major changes in this article, so please read on.

The UK government released a new statement on March 14, 2024, outlining significant changes to the family and skilled worker immigration channels. The paper was 289 pages long and covered several important revisions. This is the second change statement that the year has seen.

Please take note that this document revokes certain essential changes that made up the official 5-year plan for the government to lower net migration and curb the exploitation of the immigration system. Additionally, the following are affected by these changes:

1. A higher general pay threshold and higher going rates for specific skilled worker route occupations
2. Pay requirements and any resulting adjustments for alternative work routes
3. The partner routes’ minimum income requirement

Significant Changes Mentioned in the Statement of Changes

1. Changes to the Skilled Worker Route

The Home Secretary announced in December 2023 that the skilled worker pathway would alter because companies should invest in the resident workforce rather than relying on migration.

2. Increased General salary Threshold and going rates

Skilled workers must receive at least a general pay threshold from the sponsoring firms, or the going rate for that particular occupation, whichever is higher. This declaration supports raising the general salary threshold under the skilled worker route

This will take effect on April 4, 2024, from £26,200 based on the 25th percentile of UK wages in eligible occupations to £38,700 based on the median of UK earnings in eligible occupations. Thus, from the 25th percentile to the median, the going rates are likewise raised.

Furthermore, the most recent Office for National Statistics on pay data is the basis for these raised thresholds and going rates.

3. New Salary Requirement for Health and Care workers

Sponsored workers under Health and Care visas and occupations where going rates are set by national pay scales are exempt from the new median wage standards. However, according to the most recent on-pay statistics, a general barrier that was increased from £26,200 to £29,000 is still in place.

Additionally, the going rates are being updated following all current National pay scales and on-pay data.

4. New Immigration Salary List

The Shortage Occupation List has been replaced by the new Immigration Salary List (ISL), which makes it clear that it includes entries for which the government deems it reasonable to grant a wage threshold deduction. Rather than enumerating every profession where there is a labor shortage, the impartial Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) conducted a review and informed all the members of the revised list.

The MAC plans to conduct a thorough assessment of the list by the end of this year. The listed occupations receive a 20% deduction to the general salary threshold of $3,960 or £23,200 if they are not subject to the £38,700 or £29,000 threshold, just like they did with the previous list. However, the previous 20% reduction to the going rate criterion is no longer applicable.

The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code system has also been updated. Updates from SOC 2010 to SOC 2020 are also included in the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code system used in the immigration system. This illustrates how some SOC codes that are often used by certain employers will alter.

They are therefore recommended to use the new coding scheme starting on April 4th when issuing any sponsorship certificates.

5. New Salary Requirements for Other Work Routes

The salary standards for various employment routes are being updated based on the most recent on-pay data. The higher General pay thresholds for additional employment pathways are listed below;

• Under the Senior or Specialist Worker Global Business Mobility route: £45,800 – 48,500
• Under the Graduate Trainee Global Business Mobility route: £24,120 – 21,410
• Under the Scaleup route: £34,600 – 36,300
• For certain poultry workers in the seasonal worker route: £26,200 – £38,700

These workers must be paid in line with skilled workers

6. Increase in the Minimum Income Requirement

The declarations for the Partner routes outline the intended increase in the minimum income requirement under Appendix FM for those in the 5-year Partner and Child routes. The Home Office claims that this minimal income criteria hasn’t changed in over ten years and doesn’t represent the income level of a family that needs to be self-sufficient and not dependent on government assistance.

With effect from April 11th, 2024, this modification establishes a new minimum income threshold of £29,000 for new applicants using this method. With this action, the routes’ financial criteria are now in line with the new minimum General income threshold for skilled personnel, marking the first step towards alignment.

Additionally, the minimum income criteria no longer include a distinct kid component. This is to guarantee that immigrants who must achieve the general skilled worker threshold at a flat rate regardless of whether they are sponsoring children receive the same treatment as British nationals.

Transitional accommodations, however, are being given to individuals who applied before April 11th, 2024, and who were granted a family visa through the Fiancee’s proposed civil partner or 5-year partner route, provided that they meet the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR).

If the applicant is requesting to remain with the same spouse, they must meet the same MIR through settling on the route. Children wishing to accompany a parent will experience the same situation. For applicants who are already in the route or who apply before the rise takes place, these measures provide certainty.