January 25th, 2024 at 03:45 am
New IHS Fee 2024 ~ Immigration Health Surcharge to Increase by 66% on February 6, 2024
On February 6, 2024, the Immigration Health Surcharge is expected to rise by 66%. Additional guidance on the changes to corporate immigration in the UK has been released by the Home Office. The UK government’s aim of restricting net migration means that there will be increases to IHS, occupation-based minimum salaries, and general income requirements.
The immigration health premium will be increasing, which is another change that visa applicants will notice. The fee will rise by 66% starting on February 6, 2024. This implies that the annual cost for all categories of applications for Entry Clearance or Leave to Remain for individuals over the age of 18 will increase from £624 to £1,035
For children under the age of eighteen, the annual rise will be from £470 to £776. The general wage threshold for all jobs on level three or above the RQF level is scheduled to increase from £26,200 in April 2024, marking the implementation of more business migration adjustments. Employers most certainly won’t be willing to sponsor lower-level posts after this shift to avoid paying more than the going rate for lower-level roles.
Nonetheless, national pay scale educators and those with Health and Care Visas will not be impacted by this growth. The other change is that entry into the UK will no longer be permitted for dependents of holders of Health and Care visas. Those who currently have this visa may remain with their dependents as they apply for permanent residency, extend their stay, or change occupations.
Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme from January 2024
Citizens of the European Union are denied rights by the Home Office. We’ll talk about the UK Home Office’s updated position on EU residents’ ability to live in the country in this update.
European Union Settlement Scheme Deadline
UK’s Settlement Scheme for EU Members Following Brexit, there was a deadline for Swiss nationals and residents of the European Union’s Economic Area to apply for residency rights in the United Kingdom. European Union nationals were quite concerned about what would happen if they missed this deadline as it drew near.
Home Office Response to the Missed Deadline
The goal of the Home Office’s noteworthy policy shift was to safeguard the civil and economic rights of those who joined the EU Settlement Scheme later than expected. Individuals who missed the deadline of June 30 will temporarily maintain their rights while their applications and any appeals are being processed.
For a maximum of three months following their arrival, family members of EU citizens will also have the protection of their right to remain in the UK during applications and appeals.
Are you curious about the function of diplomats and campaigners? Following the perception that certain European Unions were being abused, European Union campaigners and diplomats extensively researched before making this proposal.
Statistics and Processing
nearly 5.1 million of the nearly 6 million applications the office has received have been given resident status. Over 400,000 applications are pending. Even though it could take up to a month, the government aims to handle the majority of applications in 5 days.
Do you wonder what becomes of individuals who are unable to make a choice?
The UK government would safeguard the rights of those who are awaiting a judgment. While they wait for the decision, the applicants receive a certificate of application to demonstrate their eligibility for employment or housing.
What are the Consequences of Missing the Deadline
Not every citizen of the European Union who fails to apply by the deadline will automatically be refused benefits or deported. If they fail to apply, they might also face enforcement actions following a 28-day grace period. Expulsion is not a given. Before implementing any measures, the administration will take each situation separately.
Overview: Campaigners Views and Further Action
Campaigners applauded the move, arguing that the government ought to take more action, such as contacting individuals to encourage them to register and retroactively applying rights.
After Brexit, the UK Home Office began to approve late cases, indicating a more tolerant stance. This policy, which aims to safeguard the liberties of EU residents and their family members living in the UK, demonstrates the government’s willingness to modify its positions in response to public pressure or real-world circumstances. Even with this breakthrough, more communication and assistance are still required to guarantee that everyone who qualifies receives their residence properly.